Hill and Smith kick off Shaw and Partners WA Race Week with strong victories

Hill's triumphant return

• Cory Hill, a two-time world champion and four-time winner of The Doctor, admitted to "doubtful moments" during the Fenn West Coast Downwind race. His strategic offshore line, influenced by his disappointing 2022 World Championships, proved successful.
• Hill dominated the field, stating, "To return and secure a win, my confidence is soaring again," emphasizing his pride as a downwind paddler.

Race overview

• Perth's first international race in three years welcomed 250 athletes to a 24-kilometer course from Fremantle to Sorrento.
• A south-westerly "Doctor" wind, initially around 15 knots, intensified, exceeding forecasts, as paddlers contended with seaweed.
• The men's chaotic start saw many beyond the line, but the leading group quickly established an unassailable pace.

Men's race dynamics

• Local athlete Michael Booth initially set a blistering pace, soon joined by Tom Norton, Kenny Rice, Hank McGregor, and Hill.
• Hill described his approach: "I was really pushing hard, doing the tough work early by heading out to sea, then riding the wind back in." He believed he held a superior angle, confirmed by rivals.

Men's top five results

• Hill won in 1:23:06, 40 seconds ahead of Norton (1:23:45).
• Riley Fitzsimmons, a two-time Olympian, secured third (1:23:58), showcasing his adaptability to downwind racing.
• Hank McGregor finished fourth (1:24:25), with Michael Booth taking fifth.

Hill's reflections

• This victory provided an ideal start, dispelling lingering disappointment from his recent World Championship campaign.
• He recalled the 2019 Shaw and Partners WA Race Week as a period of exceptional results, a feeling he senses returning.
• "The 2022 Worlds marked my first time off the podium," Hill reflected. "I had forgotten that sensation. I always value consistency, and it underscores...

[go to the magazine: thepaddler]

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