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Marathon swimmer Heidi does Malaysia proud again

PETALING JAYA: Heidi Gan has made Malaysia proud once more in the international open water swimming scene.

On Saturday, the 26-year-old splashed her way to a commendable fourth-place finish in the third leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup in Noumea, New Caledonia.
The Perth-based Heidi completed the gruelling race at the Anse Vata Bay in 2’12:34.12, just two seconds behind third-placed Coralie Codevelle of France. Heidi earned US$1,200 (RM4,300) for her efforts.

Aurelie Muller of France emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in 2’09.18.70. Hungarian Anna Olasz clocked 2’09:45.80 to take the silver.

The fourth place was Heidi’s best-ever outing in the prestigious World Cup.

In her two previous appearances, she finished 17th in Hong Kong in 2013 but failed to finish the race in Portugal after suffering from hypothermia at the Setubal Bay.

“I’m pleased with how I finished in New Caledonia,” said Heidi, who defended her elite women’s 10km crown in Round 4 of the Swimming Western Australia’s Open Water Series in December.

“I’m in the best form of my life. I have been training very hard in Perth. I have been able to complete sets and post times I haven’t been able to achieve. I’m excited to continue see how my form ranks against the rest of the world’s top elite open water athletes,” said Heidi who finished 16th in the open water event at the 2012 London Olympics.

Heidi will be heading for Cancun, Mexico, in two weeks’ time for the fourth leg of the World Cup on May 2. It will be her last race before the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, from July 24-Aug 9. The championships mark the first phase of qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.



by Tan Ming Wai The Star

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