VIA – SMH

Shark fears force national triathlon competitors out of the ocean

Courtney Trenwith

April 3, 2012 – 10:30AM

A fatal shark attack has led organisers of a national triathlon competition being held in Busselton this week to cancel the ocean swim leg.

Almost 1000 students participating in either the national or local school competitions will now compete in a swim trial in a pool at the Busselton Leisure Centre.

Rather than complete all three sections of the triathlon consecutively, the swim will be held today, while the cycle and run will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

As reported on WAtoday.com.au yesterday, organisers have been taking advice from police and sea rescue groups since the death of Father-of-two Peter Kurmann diedon Saturday afternoon.

Mr Kurmann died after being mauled by a shark – believed to be a great white – while diving about one nautical mile off shore, south of Stratham Beach.

School Sports WA director Peter Smith said the decision not to allow students to swim in the ocean was easy to make.

A shark sighting 50 metres off the shore yesterday added to fears, Mr Smith said.

“We’ve got people here from all over Australia and it’s hard to…”
Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/shark-fears-force-national-triathlon-competitors-out-of-the-ocean-20120403-1w9ng.html#ixzz1qxNUanp2

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