Sprint star Zoe Hobbs opens 2024 with win at Potts Classic

New Zealand sprint star Zoe Hobbs has won the 100m at the Potts Classic in Hastings to kick off a big year.

Hobbs extended her outstanding record at the meet with a time of 11:39, running into a slight headwind in warm conditions.

The Oceania 100m record-holder, who reached the 2023 World Championships semi-finals, has claimed successive women's 100m at the Potts from 2017.

Hobbs looked in full control in a strong field including Australian Bree Masters, who finished second and New Zealand 200m record-holder Rosie Elliott, who came in third.

"The goal today was just to run it smooth, open the season and dust the cobwebs off so I'm glad I've got that under my belt now and a big focus towards the rest of the season now," Hobbs said.

Hobbs is heading to Europe in mid February, and will compete in the World Indoors event in the first weekend of March, before returning to New Zealand for nationals.

Hobbs is preparing for a big 2024.

Last year Hobbs qualified for the Paris Olympics with a time of 10.96 seconds to become the first New Zealand female sprinter to achieve the feat in a number of years.