The 2004 Australian Slalom Championships was a huge success. Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic) wanted to try and raise the profile of windsurfing in Australia more in line with sports such as football, rugby and tennis. Robbie manages to secure Network 10, the biggest TV network in Australia along with one of the largest radio stations 96FM. This brought the event to a new level with the titles making prime time news before and throughout the event as well as been covered throughout the event on 96 FM. Network 10 was so impressed with the coverage and feedback from the event that they have already put their name down for the 2005 Australian Championships.The Australian Slalom Championships was held in Perth Western Australia at a local beach -South beach in Fremantle. There was a great turn out with the very best Sailors from all the states in Australia taking part as well as some overseas sailors from Denmark and Germany.The course was set very close to the shore which was great for the hundreds of spectators on the beach.

Day 1 saw winds picked up to 18 to 25 knots. The first final was Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic) and Jesper Orth ( Severne/Starboard) sharing the lead of the start as they flew down the first reach with Kris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic) just behind. Radis showed great board speed as his edge in front of Orth as they approached the first mark.
Radis come out of the first mark with good speed and went on to hold is lead to take the first round from Orth with Lockwood in third. The next two rounds went on the same order as the first with Radis having the edge on Orth down the first reach to put his nose in front by the first mark. Then, Radis managed to hold his lead though out the course; however, Orth were never more than 1 sec behind Radis through out the course with Lockwood close behind as well. In the 4th round Radis made a mistake with is start watch and was 5 sec late crossing the start. Orth took the advantage and stormed in the lead to win the final start to finish followed by Lockwood. Radis managed to come back through the field of the 16-man final to come in 3rd place behind Lockwood.

Day 2 once again were a solid 18 to 25 knots and round five started out like round 1 with Radis and Orth neck-to-neck flying down the first reach. Radis got there first but Orth was hot on his heels pushing hard through out the course. Going into the last jibe mark, Orth went into the jibe full speed and come out with great speed to pull up along side of Radis for the run to the finish. However, it was Radis who had his nose in front to take the win by less than a board length with Lockwood a few meters back in 3rd. In round 6, it was again Radis and Orth off the line together but this time Orth just in front. By the first jibe mark, they were along side each other as they jibed around the mark together. Radis jibed tight on the mark while Orth jibe wider with speed taking the lead as they come out of the jibe. Radis then showed great board speed as he started to pass Orth down the reach. By the next jibe mark, Radis had managed to get a board length in front. Radis took the win from Orth with Lockwood in 3rd. In race 7, Radis was DSQ; therefore, it was Orth who took the lead but as he jibed out the out side mark he miss the mark flying straight into the booay opening the door for Lockwood to take the lead and the race win with Alex Buch in second.

Day 3 the wind came in at a gusty 10 to 14 knots so after 7 great rounds the race director announced the event over. So after 7 round of racing, it was Robbie Radis(Neilpryde/Kinetic) who was crowed the 2004 Australian Champion with Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard) in 2nd with Chris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic) in 3rd.

Comments – “I’m so happy to win the Australian Titles at my home town with my family and friends around. It was also so good to see how much coverage the event received and how many people come down to watch the event. I would like to thank Neilpryde for supporting me and making such a fast race sail as well as Kinetic for making great boards. I would also like to thank Lava eyewear, Radaitor, and Fosters Beer for their support as well as all the sponsors and helpers that made this event come together”, said Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic).

Overall Results
1. Robbie Radis (Nielpryde/Kinetic) Australia
2. Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard) Demark
3. Kris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic) Australia
4. Bjorn Hagen (Arrows/Kinetic) Germany
5. Rowan Law (ART/ custom) Australia
6 .Alex Buch (Gaastra/Kinetic) Demark.