Sport is an important part of life on Cape York and over the years we’ve turned out our share of champions. Take a look back at who made headlines in 2024.
13. Collins conquers Chicago challenge with marathon effort
by Lyndon Keane
Weipa’s Michael Collins celebrates with a huge grin and his mandatory banana after completing the 2024 Chicago Marathon in less than three hours. Photo: Supplied.
Weipa’s Michael Collins has shown off the depth of the community’s running talent by finishing in the top five per cent of competitors at one of the world’s most iconic marathons.
Collins travelled more than 14,000 kilometres from western Cape York to the United States to tackle the 2024 Chicago Marathon and crossed the finish line in a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes and 58 seconds to exceed all of his wildest dreams about the event.
12. Cooktown set to gallop towards grand 150th celebration
by Lyndon Keane
Healing Game, the winner of the 2023 Cooktown Cup, will not be returning to defend his crown after being retired by connections. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Thousands of racegoers frocked up and scrutinised the form guide to celebrate 150 years of bush racing in Cooktown.
11. Western Cape College claims Crusader Cup crown
by Cape York Weekly
More than 80 players from across the region converged on Weipa to battle for bragging rights in the 2024 AFL Cape York Crusader Cup. Photo: Supplied.
Western Cape College was victorious when teams from across the region battled on the paddock for 2024 AFL Cape York Crusader Cup honours.
Some players spent more than 500 kilometres on the road to play a game of football when five teams took to the paddock in the AFL Cape York Crusader Cup in Weipa.
10. Forgiato storms home to claim thrilling Laura Cup quinella
by Lyndon Keane
An emotional Renee Schluenz (right) is congratulated after Forgiato and jockey Masayuki Abe handed the Innisfail trainer back-to-back victories in the feature Laura Cup in front of a bumper crowd. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Forgiato is the undisputed king of the Laura Cup after the seven-year-old sprinted to successive victories in the 1450-metre feature race on 29 June.
Laura Amateur Turf Club turned on the weather for the annual race meeting, with thousands of punters flocking to the track for small-but-quality fields in the five-race program.
9. Festival competitors ready to pound Weipa pavement
by Lyndon Keane
The 2024 Weipa Running Festival marathon will get under way at 5am on Sunday. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
More than 200 competitors took to the streets of Weipa for the 2024 edition of the western Cape York township’s annual running festival.
8. Hope Vale cowboys dominate Mareeba bull ride
by Chisa Hasegawa
Hope Vale’s Tyson “TJ” Ford has been bull riding since he was two-and-a-half years old. Photo: Ant Ritz Photography.
A family of Hope Vale bull riders made it to the North Queensland finals after stellar results at the Great Northern Bull Riding Series in Mareeba.
Ten-year-old Tyson “TJ” Ford and uncle Patrick Hart placed first in their respective categories, earning them a spot at the finals in Mount Garnet in October, alongside TJ’s two older brothers.
7. Weipa squad prepares to find back of net at NQ’s oldest soccer tournament
by Lyndon Keane
The under-9 line-up from the Weipa Junior Soccer Club went to Townsville to pit their skills against teams from across North Queensland at the 2024 Filippo Mele Memorial Carnival. Photo: Supplied.
Weipa Junior Soccer Club’s under-9 squad went to Townsville to contest the oldest tournament in North Queensland, the 2024 Filippo Mele Memorial Carnival.
Named in the honour of local soccer legend Filippo Mele, the tournament provides a great opportunity for player development, with 2024 marking the 40th anniversary of the carnival.
6. Club thinks pink as teams tee off in breast cancer fundraiser
by Lyndon Keane
Brianna Lowrey, Stef Kurz, Matilda Revere, Clare Haslop, Faith Johnson, Emma Eyre, Abby Jensen and Jemma Collins toast the start of the 2024 Pink Ribbon Charity Golf Day in fitting fashion at Carpentaria Golf Club on 19 October. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
It may have been the heat, but the fundraising was fast and furious when 18 teams teed off for a good cause at Carpentaria Golf Club in October.
Bidding in the buggy auction was frenetic, with about $4000 raised for just seven carts as teams attempted to ensure they would not be tackling the event on foot.
5. Dislocated finger proves no hurdle to arena return for van Pelt
by Lyndon Keane
Fourteen-year-old Sydney van Pelt shows her dislocated finger to the crowd after she injured it falling during the junior steer ride at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Would you get back on a bucking beast minutes after having your finger dislocated at a horrible angle? Most people wouldn’t but, as editor Lyndon Keane found out, 14-year-old Weipa cowgirl Sydney van Pelt isn’t most people.
4. Straatman, Field claim Cooktown Open honours for 2024
by Cape York Weekly
Paul Humphries and Darren Powell were on the course early during day one of the 2024 Cooktown Open. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
After 36 holes that challenged all competitors, Gerard Straatman and Michelle Field are the 2024 Cooktown Open overall men’s and women’s champions.
3. Local support helps junior rider set eyes on rodeo’s biggest prize
by Lyndon Keane
Fifteen-year-old Josh Snell catches up with sponsor and Mount Carbine publican Mitch Newman ahead of the rising star tackling the junior steer ride at the Laura Rodeo and Campdraft. Photo: Supplied.
It may be all about him and the beast when he’s in the chute, but a rising rodeo star has teamed up with a Cape York business operator to help him achieve his dream.
2. Cooktown’s pooches, ponies shine during Discovery Festival shows
by Lyndon Keane
Ashleigh Jerome trots up Duckoda for the judges at the Cooktown Horse Sports Association horse show at the racecourse. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Cooktown’s best equine and canine talent was on display when the Cooktown Horse Sports Association hosted a Horse and Hound Show as part of Discovery Festival celebrations.
1. Stecko, Lyon hook Weipa Fishing Classic crowns for 2024
by Lyndon Keane
Overall junior and senior winners of the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic Chastyn Lyon and Jess Stecko show off their trophies on stage at Andoom Oval. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
With more than 10,000 people through the gates over three nights, $260,000 in prizes won and plenty of bumper fish landed and bragged about, the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic (WFC) was hailed a success.
Whether it was the fishing, diverse range of competitions or social element, this year’s event had something for everyone, especially Ayla Gunn, who won the major ticket prize just hours before departing Weipa on a family holiday.
