As usual over the past 11 versions of the RCP Tiburon Mile, there are world champions and Olympians vying for the winner-take-all first cash prize of US$10,000.

But two-time winner Chloe Sutton is on completely different career path in the 2010 race to be held this Sunday in San Francisco Bay.

In the past two times when she has won, Chloe was an amateur and donated her cash winnings to the Special Olympics of Northern California. But now Chloe is swimming as a professional athlete and a US$10,000 cash prize would certainly augment her healthy winnings that she has collected around the pool decks of America over the past year.

But winning the RCP Tiburon Mile is tough. Tough because there are so many excellent swimmers, including world 5K champion and defending champion Melissa Gorman, but also because the tidal flows can be so tricky. Besides facing Melissa, Chloe will have to stay ahead of fast-emerging pro swimmer Christine Jennings who has placed well in all the FINA World Cup races where she has competed. Fourth-place at the 2010 World Championships in the 10K, Christine also has the experience and speed to give Chloe and Melissa a run for their money.

Besides these swimmers, NCAA champion and USA Swimming national team member Emily Brunemann, multi-time Waikiki Roughwater Swim champion Luane Rowe of Australia are also expected to be in the top mix and could pull off a victory with their high navigational IQ and established open water swimming pedigree.

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