Hill and McKenzie triumph at 20 Beaches Ocean Classic after challenging season

Cory Hill and Danielle McKenzie concluded the season with significant victories at the Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches Ocean Classic, each driven by unique motivations.

For Cory Hill, the win offered redemption after his three-year undefeated streak ended at The Doctor race. Despite securing the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week point score, he felt unfulfilled until his Sydney triumph. Hill expressed satisfaction, stating, "It’s always great to finish up on a win... you can’t win them all, right? You’re human." The 20-kilometer course, from Long Reef to Station Beach, presented a small, bumpy swell. The field split early, with elites taking a direct line while local paddlers sought offshore southerly assistance. Hill made a decisive move at the 13-kilometer mark, pulling ahead of Tom Norton. He finished in 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 18 seconds, securing his third title. Tom Norton placed second, Mackenzie Hynard third, and Oscar Jones achieved an impressive fifth. Both Norton and Hynard reflected on a demanding season, with Hynard proud of his third-place finish after a year of mixed results, including a World Championships bronze.

Danielle McKenzie also celebrated a hard-fought victory, overcoming a challenging year that included a second-place finish at the World Championships. Her confidence grew after winning The Doctor and the overall point score at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week. McKenzie noted, "As an athlete, you’re always going to have ups and downs... I just got out there on the water and enjoyed it." The women's race was a tight contest with Jemma Smith. McKenzie established a lead, finishing in 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 42 seconds, ahead of Smith and South Africa's Michelle Burn. Smith, who competed bravely despite contracting COVID-19, was "really happy to finish the year off and now have a bit of a reset." Michelle Burn concluded her five-week Australian tour, acknowledging illness affected her WA Race Week but found joy...

[go to the magazine: thepaddler]

Continue with the original post:
https://www.thepaddler.news/latest-news/hill-mckenzie-claim-big-wins-at-20-beaches/