LATE CHANGE AS STARS RETURN FOR SHAW AND PARTNERS 20 BEACHES

Australian paddling will see its strongest field of the year so far gather at the Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches in Sydney this weekend, headlined by the return of two of its biggest names.

2021 champion Jackson Collins is back in the world of downwind racing after stepping away from the discipline to focus on his Olympic campaign, which saw him walk away from the Paris Games with a silver medal.

Two-time winner and 2019 ICF World Champion Danielle McKenzie will line up for her first race of the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series, making the trip from New Zealand where she now resides.

It sets up a showdown with defending 20 Beaches title-holder Jemma Smith a week after she returned to surf ironwoman racing and claimed victory in the gruelling Coolangatta Gold.

The star power of the men’s field runs deep, lead by four-time race winner Cory Hill, fresh off his silver medal at the ICF World Championships.

The ever-competitive Tom Norton continues his build toward the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week, while Northern Beaches product Oscar Jones will race for the first time this season, returning from Western Australia where he’s now based. Jones has been joined by his Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club coach, Michael Booth, in making the trip east.

Molokai Challenge runner-up, Hawaiian Pat Dolan, is also set to race, who along with surf lifesaving star Mitchell Trim, will be pushing for the podium.

The depth of field is fitting for the iconic event, which is celebrating its 30th installment in a major milestone for Australia’s longest-running race.

This year, it also carries the added title of the inaugural Australian Championship for the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series, devised by Dean Gardiner to add even more prestige to the race.

However, organisers have been forced into a late change.

It had been planned that the 2024 Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches would run on the race’s original course between Manly and Palm Beach, but the conditions didn’t follow suit.

A strong westerly was predicted earlier in the week, although that’s now swung to a light southerly breeze.

Organisers today made the decision to revert to last year’s course, from Fisherman’s Beach at Long Reef to Station Beach at Pittwater.

“Given the forecast conditions, the optimal start time is going to be around midday or slightly later,” organisers said in a statement to competitors.

“Unfortunately access to Manly on a warm, spring weekend, at the middle of the day, is going to be chaotic at best.

“In the interests of easier logistics for all competitors, we have made the call to revert to [last year’s] course which will allow us to start at the best time and for the best wind conditions.”

The Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches boasts $45,000 in prize money, as well as crucial standings points.

After eight rounds, Ben Constable leads the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series, ahead of Dylan Askew and Jim Walker.

Having missed several rounds so far, Cory Hill is in fifth – and closing fast.

Fiona Rae is on top of the women’s pointscore, ahead of Phoebe Woodhouse and Abbey Carter.

Jemma Smith is in fourth, having won all three of the rounds she’s been able to compete in.

For race results and insights from the winners of 20 Beaches, keep an eye on The Paddler.