MEDIA RELEASE:
  
Fearnley finalises Beijing preparation with another win

Australian wheelchair champion Kurt Fearnley has rounded off his Beijing preparation in style with his third road race win in a week at the Peachtree 10km in Atlanta.

Fearnley defended his Peachtree title in a time of 19 minutes 54 seconds, finishing well clear of South African Krige Schabort and Mexican Aaron Gordian. Earlier this week he won the Long Island 10km in New York and the 5km title in Cedartown, Georgia.

Peachtree is recognised as the pinnacle of short course wheelchair road racing, and after dreaming of winning the title for so long, Fearnley was overjoyed with his second win.

"Peachtree has always held a special place in my heart. I've been coming here for 10 years now and it was the first place i raced internationally. To win here once was great, to do it back-to-back is just awesome" Fearnley said.

Fearnley has not been beaten over 10km since July 2006, an unprecedented streak taking in seven straight wins. His win rounds off his Beijing Paralympic preparation and he will enter the games with a target on his back. A target he is happy to wear.

"I had a slow start to the year so I came to the US this year to try and be competitive, get a couple of good times and try and squeeze a win. To win at every start is a huge bonus. I'll go to Beijing now with a bit of extra confidence and probably a target hanging over me. With the races being so close now, the psychological advantage I gain from these three wins is great and adds to everything I've put in on the training track" he said.

The Australian Paralympic Committee confirmed Fearnley's selection in the Paralympic team this week and he will compete in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m, Marathon and relays in Beijing. It will be Fearnley's third Paralympic games and we will attempt to add to the two Gold medals he won at the 2004 Athens games.

To see Kurt Fearnley's post-race interview visit Fox 5 Atlanta or follow this link http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6912123&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Wheelchair Sports Australia Ltd
PO Box 4083 Homebush South NSW 2140
http://www.sports.org.au