HILL & BESTER CLAIM HONG KONG DRAGON RUN VICTORIES
The Mox Hong Kong Dragon Run has always held a special place for Cory Hill.
When his surf ironman training partner Shannon Eckstein made the trip in 2009 and returned with the title, it opened Hill’s eyes to a sport that would change the course of his life.
Sitting on the plane travelling to the 2024 edition, that’s something he found himself reflecting on.
So he pulled out a pen and went down what he laughs was “memory lane”.
“I wrote down all of my results from some of the biggest races in the sport,” he says.
“Worlds, Molokai, the Doctor, Hong Kong… it’s actually pretty cool. I’ve done way more than I thought I would when I won my first title at Molokai back in 2015.
“I had never really thought about it before. I thought it might’ve been my seventh or eighth Dragon Run, but it was actually my tenth.
“I figured out I had three fourths and a second. It took me a long time to get out of those shit positions.” he laughs.
That dose of nostalgia added to the significance of Hill’s fifth Dragon run victory.
The Australian produced another commanding paddle to finish ahead of his greatest rival, and friend, Hank McGregor in second and South Africa’s rising star Matthew Fenn in third.
It’s Hill’s fifth consecutive win at the race, separated only by the years of COVID restrictions and a down-sized event in 2022.
“It feels extra special,” Hill told The Paddler.
“Looking back to 2017, it just feels nice to have built this little streak.
“COVID obviously hindered it, but from what I have been able to do, I’ve done well.
“This year, like last year, has just been a good year. Even if I do nothing else now, it’s been a success.”
The Mox Dragon Run is one of surfski’s most esteemed races, but in the last few years, it’s also taken on added significance as the last major race before the lucrative Shaw and Partners WA Race Week in Australia.
With a sizeable contingent of South Africans stopping in Hong Kong on their way down under, this year served up another star-studded line-up.
Hill and McGregor headlined with men’s field, joined by the Fenn brothers, Josh and Matthew.
With strong winds at a more favourable angle than the race typically sees, the five kilometre burn out to the Ninepin Islands was fast.
Hill, McGregor and Josh Fenn were quick to break ahead.
By the turn, Hill was out in front on his own.
“It kind of just happened,” Hill says.
“We were doing sub 4:20 kilometre splits on the way out. With the wind on your tail a little bit more, you could chase it more than usual.
“I turned about 50 or 100 metres in front of Hank, and I think he ran a little bit closer and I held a little bit wider.
“I didn’t see anyone for the rest of the race, really, but I knew I was paddling fast.
“I was mainly seeing sub 3:30 split’s for most of it, then it got a bit slower towards the end when we started hitting the tide. But compared to last year, it was fast.”
Hill went on to win in a time of 1 hour, 31 minutes and 4 seconds, just over one minute ahead of McGregor (1:32:07).
Josh Fenn held third place until the final 500 metres, where he was overtaken by his brother Matthew (1:34:35). The younger of the two claiming third, while Josh (1:35:10) finished in fourth.
Joao Ruivo Santos (1:46:57) rounded out the top five.
For Hill, it’s yet another major title to his name in 2024.
After spending time reflecting on those early career victories, he can’t help but noticed how his racing has changed.
“In a way, it’s way less stressful,” he says. “But also way more stressful.
“Back then, I used to go to race to win another race, knowing if I went top five, I’d get invited back by my sponsors.
“Then it turned into, ‘OK, I can get on the podiums.’ Then, with a couple of wins here and there, you develop this expectation on yourself.
“This year though, it just feels comfortable. Going to races has been a really enjoyable process.”
That comfort is clearly transferring into performance.
After finishing second to Gordan Harbrecht at the ICF World Championships in October, Hill agrees that he is paddling with confidence.
“I’m just a bit less nervous, too. It’s coming quite naturally.”
The women’s race was first-class.
Newly-crowned world champion Kira Bester added the Dragon Run to her name, crossing the line in a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 5 seconds.
That was ahead of former winner Danielle Richards (1:42:49), who lined up in her first race following her impressive victory at the Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches.
Michelle Burn (1:44:13) was third, in a sure sign she’ll again be competitive across Race Week in Perth, while Melanie Van Niekerk (1:52:10) and Hock Wing Winnie Wong (2:06:09) made up the top five.
“It was so cool to see,” Hill said of the women’s battle. “The racing was elite, and it was also just great to see them all on the startline.
“When there’s races to be won and done, you should be getting there to do them.”
And there’s plenty more on the way.
The final countdown is now on to the world’s richest week of racing at the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week.
“There’s only a few more weeks, so you just have to do it right.” Hill says.
“The work is done and I’ve raced everyone in the last few weeks, so I’m feeling good.”
