The Cougar Bourbon Lancelin Ocean Classic is without a doubt the biggest and the most successful contest in Australia, which has been running for 19 years. The event is a down wind Marathon starting from Ledge Point with a mass beach start with over 100 sailors busting off the beach at the same time then into a 7 mark 25km down wind slalom course with a beach finish in Lancelin in front of the Lancelin Tavern.

From 7pm on wards is one of the best parties Australia as to offer at the tavern starting off with the presentations and a mass fire works show following up with a modelling contest and then top bands and DJs keep the crowed of 2000 happy till late. The 2004 Cougar Bourbon Lancelin Ocean Classic was to be hard call on what sail size and board size to use as the wind was around 12 to 15 knots and looking to be building just before the start. Some sailors opting for light wind slalom board while the others going for Formula set ups. As the gun fired, it was Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/KInetic) with a near perfect start shooting straight into the lead of the pack of 100 sailors. Former winner of the event- Daniel Engdahl (KA/Starboard) also got away clean and took hold of 2nd place while Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard) was close behind in 3rd. Radis and Engdale took formula boards while Orth went for a big slalom board set up. Orth started closing the gap on Engdale as they powered down the first reach. 2km in the first reach, Orth made his move as he pass Engdale to take 2nd place but Radis was holding good board speed with a 100m lead as they rounded the first mark. The next reach was deep off the wind and Orth look to be struggling with his smaller set up as Engdahl started to close the gap. Half way down the second reach, Engdahl regained 2nd place and began to pull away from Orth. Radis; however, continued to build his lead and now had a 300m lead has head round the second mark. Radis went on to build his lead down the rest of the course and by the last outside mark had a 1000m lead on Engdahl who had also built a 900m lead on Orth. As Radis come into the beach, his was greeted by over a hundred spectators, As he hit the beach over a 1min clear of Engdahl, the crowed went wild has Radis through both arms in the air as he run up to the finish line to take the Cougar Bourbon Lancelin Ocean Classic out for his first time and with this event win also claiming the Westen Australian tour title for the second year in a row. Engdahl come in 2nd with Orth following in 3rd.

Comments –“Winning this event means so much to me. It was the very first event I ever competed in when I was 15-years-old and on that day I said to my self one day I am going to come back and win this event and today was the day”, said Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic). He continued, “It’s also a great feeling to take out the Western Australia Tour as well. The season has gone so well for me. I am now really look forward to going to Asia on Friday to work on defend my AWT title.”

2004 Cougar Bourbon Lancelin Ocean Classic Results
1. Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic) Australia
2. Daniel Engdahl (KA/Starboard) Australia
3. Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard) Denmark
4. Alex Butch (Gaastra/Kinetic) Denmark
5. Claude Lecoq (Arrows/Kinetic) France
6. Steve Stratfold (Gaastra/Starboard) Australia
7. Novak Jol (Gaastra/Kinetic) Australia
8. Peter Volwater (Arrows/F2) Holland
9. Bjorn Hagan (Arrows/Kinetic) Germany

2004 Overall Western Australia Tour Results
1. Robbie Radis (Neilpryde/Kinetic) Australia
2. Jesper Orth (Severne/Starboard) Demark
3. Chris Lockwood (Arrows/Kinetic) Australia