Hout Bay siblings Holly and Ryley Smith have been crowned Ocean Racing World Champions thanks to the huge splash they made in Madeira at Worlds!
Global (08 October 2024) — Holly and Ryley Smith from Hout Bay don’t just share DNA. They also share fierce determination, champions’ hearts and a serious skillset when it comes to navigating watery raceways—so much so that the sibling duo have been crowned Ocean Racing World Champions!
The siblings both competed in the Ocean Racing World Championship held in Madeira, Portugal, where they would both come home and be splashed with victory as the Mixed Doubles U18 World Champions.
It wasn’t an easy feat. Conditions were said to have been challenging, with flat waters, strong currents, and fierce headwinds to tackle. Nonetheless, the siblings pushed through it all to claim their shared win.
Both are young talents, with Holly being in matric and Ryley in Grade 10. Their school, Camps Bay High, couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.
“Holly and Ryley’s achievements are truly inspiring. Their dedication and commitment to the sport, combined with their teamwork as siblings, is something we don’t often see at this level. They are incredible ambassadors for both the school and South Africa,” said a proud Busi Ngcwama, the Head of Sport at their school.
In addition to their joint victory, both competitors also earned individual wins. Holly clinched silver in the Singles U18 Women event, while Ryley (who is an U16 athlete) took an impressive 6th position for his singles race in the U18 Men’s division.
If Holly’s name rings a bell, it’s because this is not her first World Champion rodeo. She is a three-time World Champ who has also won the Women’s Double U18 Canoe Marathon and the Women’s Singles U18 Ocean Racing event.
Young Ryley is following in his big sister’s footsteps epically, with this win marking his first World Champ title in Ocean Racing.
“Winning a World Championship is always an incredible feeling, but to do it with my brother in my final year of racing in the U18 category makes it even more unforgettable,” said Holly.
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