The 4th edition of the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic has gone down in historic fashion with over 700 competitors tackling Alexandra Headland for the opening two days of competition with the U11 - U14’s racing on the big stage tomorrow.

Defending Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Champion Ali Day has defied human physiology, backing up his incredible 10th Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold victory in only a 20 day turnaround, going from a 4 hour endurance race to a 10 minute sprint format ironman with another dominant performance.

Day fronted the field in the ski leg, made a move in the swim and perfected the race with a red hot board leg to soak in an emotional win.

“I wanted to put my name on that trophy so bad. Hayden Kenny has had such a huge impact on the sport so to have my name on the trophy means the world to me. "

You never know when it will be your last race and after achieving everything I could have ever hoped for in the sport I’m making the most of it and really soaking it all in with my family. I’m just playing with house money now,” joked an emotional Day.

It was a golden afternoon for the host club of Alexandra Headland, claiming gold in both the Open Womens swim courtesy of Olympic Gold Medalist Lani Pallister while Emma Woods claimed the Open Ironwoman honours.

I remember the first time that Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series put the Hayden Kenny Classic on, it was after the worst year of my life in 2021 when I stopped swimming for 6 months so I think I have a lot of my Olympic journey to thank Hayden for and the legacy he has to be able to put on an event like this [...] so [...] at world champs I lost my crown but I'm back [...[ When I lost the world the world champs I thought maybe it will be three more years until I lose another one. I'll keep coming back as long as I can and as long as I'm performing well. With out the Kenny's I wouldn't be the athlete I am today - says a determined Lani Pallister.

Woods played perfect tactics to storm home in the final board leg.

“I actually can’t believe it. The women's field is just so strong and everyone was racing so fast today. To win on my home beach in front of all my family and friends means the world to me and I really felt the support!” said Woods.

The Sunshine Coast also claimed the Open Womens Board as Tiarnee Massie starts her summer campaign off very strong, backing up her Board Victory with a 4th place in the Open Ironwoman.

Hayden Cotter (Manly) and Lani Pallister (Alexandra Headland) both achieved an incredibly rare 4-peat. Making them both the only ever Open Surf Race champion in the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic.

Charlie Verco (Newport) has hit career best form with an Open Board Race victory followed by a runner up finish in the Open Ironman while Avoca’s Natalia Drobot (Avoca Beach) took top honours in a hotly contested Open Womens Ski race.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park shook up what was the most anticipated match up of the carnival in the Open Mixed Taplin Relay with Corey Fletcher doing Corey Fletcher things in the final board leg to take Gold ahead of BMD Northcliffe, Newport and the home club of Alexandra Headland who finished 2nd - 4th respectively.

World Ocean Series wishes to thank all event partners Shaw and Partners Financial Services, Race One Surf Craft, Surf Life Saving Queensland, The Lap Co, Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Visit Sunshine Coast, We Are Feel Good Inc and Cell AED.