The Euro Tour is heating up as the biggest names in SUP racing gathered on the beach of Santa Pola for what is the biggest stop of the 2023 season so far. With distinct orange cone noses lining the beach, the Starboard team had a strong showing with fantastic performances all-round. As expected, the 6-star rated World SUP Festival delivered some wild conditions.
In the Women’s Elite, Spanish Dream Team rider Espe Barreras had yet another amazing performance to take the win. Espe managed to break away from the lead pack, however, after a big tumble in the last part of the race, the chase pack caught up to make for a nail-biting & really close finish.
“Another challenging weekend of racing with top athletes from around the world. This is one of the hardest races I have done. My mind was up and down all the time. In the end, I managed to get the lead. It was a long race so I had enough time to clear my mind and get into rhythm. I’m really happy to share with all riders and take this special win!”
On probably her best performance so far Alba Frey gave the winner a run for her money to place second. Fiona Wykde was a little further back than usual but managed a solid 6th place finish after struggling with recovering shoulder.
New Caledonia ace SUP racer Noic Garioud is showing spectacular form after returning from a knee injury to take the Mens Elite win. The men’s race was very close the whole way until Noic made an unreal comeback to charge past the lead pack, passing Japanese racer ‘Shimpry’ in the final few hundred metres, who had a commanding lead and he looked set to win – and had to settle for second.
“I was struggling at the beginning, it was very choppy. I was on the 6th but then I managed to catch up with some bumps against the wind and yeah, managed to come back at the end. It was a crazy race.
Truly did fight till the end to get that win!”
Fellow Dream Team rider Clement Colmas, put on his best result in a while to take 3rd, working well with his New Caledonian compatriot to regain the lead. Following them into 4th place was Japanese Dream Team rider, Rai Taguchi, who showed why he’s so highly regarded in his debut Euro Tour event.
Rounding out the top 10 was national Starboard team riders Davide Alpino (Italy) and Fernando Perez Serra (Spain) placing 9th and 10th respectively.
In the Junior category, it was Thailands Pluem who put on one of his best performances yet on the international stage to take the win in the 7km race.
Top 10 Women World SUP Festival – Long Distance:
1.Espe Barreras 🇪🇸 @starboardsup
2.Alba Frey 🇮🇨 @starboardsup
3.Cecilia Pampinella 🇮🇹
4.Anna Tschirky🇨🇭
5.Melanie Lafenetre 🇫🇷
6.Fiona Wylde 🇺🇸 @starboardsup
7.Juliette Du Haime
8.Mari Carmen Rivera 🇵🇷
9.Iona Rivet 🇫🇷
10.Susak Molinero 🇪🇸
Top 10 Men World SUP Festival – Long Distance:
1.Noic Garioud 🇫🇷 @starboardsup
2.Shuri Araki 🇯🇵
3.Clement Colmas 🇫🇷 @starboardsup
4.Rai Taguchi 🇯🇵 @starboardsup
5.Bruno Hasulyo 🇭🇺
6.Ty Judson 🇦🇺
7.Ludovic Teulade 🇫🇷
8.Donato Freens 🇳🇱
9.Davide Alpino 🇮🇹 @starboardsup
10.Fernando Perez Serra 🇪🇸 @starboardsup
