On Sunday 23 February, the 2019/20 Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS) concluded the season in Sydney with the Investec Bridge to Beach race. For the fourth year running, Shaw and Partners was the main presenting sponsor of AORS, a national ocean racing series attracting competitors across a number of ocean racing disciplines.

The Bridge to Beach is one of Australia’s largest open water paddling events and is regarded as one of the most spectacular in the world.  This year over 400 paddlers assembled at Milson Park in the early hours of Sunday morning to paddle past Taronga Zoo, Bradley’s Head, Clifton Gardens and the northern shores of Sydney Harbour on their way to the finish line at Manly Wharf.

In the men’s discipline, Tom Norton was the winner of this year’s Bridge to Beach, finishing in 00:40:53, ahead of Noah Havard and Shaw and Partners Brand Ambassador Mackenzie Hynard. 

In the women’s category Shaw and Partners Race Team Member Danielle McKenzie took out the win in a fast 00:45:26, finishing just two seconds ahead of Jemma Smith. Shaw and Partners Brand Ambassador Georgia Laird finished the race in third place.

Danielle’s latest victory adds to her already impressive run of results in 2019; top spot at the Perth Doctor, the 20 Beaches Ocean Classic and the Dragon Run in Hong Kong.  Danielle was also crowned ICF Ocean Racing World Champion in France last September. She will definitely be the one to beat in 2020!

In the double men's discipline, Shaw and Partners Race Team Member and two-time Molokai champion Cory Hill, teamed up with Shaw and Partners Co-CEO Earl Evans to finish the race in 00:47:49.  Jim Walker, ex-Olympian and Shaw and Partners Race Team Manager won the over 40’s category in 00:44:14.  

Again this year, Shaw and Partners generously committed to match, dollar for dollar, all donations made to the event, raising much needed funding for Fragile X Association of Australia. The total amount donated by the Shaw and Partners Foundation was $5,000.  The Fragile X Association of Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by Fragile X and to provide support to them and their families.  Fragile X is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioural and learning challenges and various physical characteristics.

The next appointment in the Ocean Surf Ski Racing calendar is the famous Molokai to Oahu Challenge in Hawaii in late May.