Yesterday was a day to remember as we witnessed the return to the EuroTour and SUP racing season with the Vendée Glisse Event 2020, after several months hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch the highlights by SteffVideo Production where Olivia Piana and Noic Garioud took the respective wins on SUP, while Starboard Dream Team riders Espe Barreras and Clément Colmas both put in sterling performances on their Aces to finish on the podium. Espe finished in 2nd place in the Elite Women’s race while Clément placed 4th in the Men’s after a frustrating finish buoy mix up.
The Vendée Gliss Event is a weekend dedicated to board sports. Whether you are a beginner or expert, everyone will find a competition or an activity that is great for them. The main attraction event is the motorboat assisted downwinder where elite SUP racers are taken 20km out to sea, and then paddle back to the finished line with the wind and swell on their back. During the weekend, the world elite of stand up paddle will provide the show while the most experienced will be able to compete with them during the Long Distance or Technical Races, while novices will be able to learn about board sports thanks to the introductory sessions.
Here’s a recap from the talented Spaniard Espe;
“I am so happy to be back in racing with the first stop at EuroTour’s event in France for the Vendée Glisse Event this past weekend, 22nd August 2020.
It was a different race because of the conditions. A great course starting 22km at deep sea and paddling on a big downwind to the coast. The conditions were perfect for my Starboard Ace getting fun surfing all the time. 18km of wind and 1.5m of wave swell got us back in no time at all.
Happy to start my late season on the podium with a 2nd place amongst a really high level of women racers on the water.
Thanks to the organizers – EuroTour & Vendée Glisse Event – for doing an amazing job to which allowed us to compete once again.
My next stop will be EuroTour’s Iberdrola Bilbao World SUP Challenge where I am wishing to be on the start line again racing with all the riders.
But before this, I have this weekend the Spanish SUP Surfing Championships that will take place in Galicia, the first stop on my SUP Surfing Calendar of events.”
In the men’s racing, The young Dream Team rider Clément Colmas had a fierce battle with his New Caledonian teammates battling it out with Titouan before conceding the 4th position due to an unfortunate last buoy turn error.
“The Vendee Glisse was an amazing race! It was a really competitive race with my Caledonian training mate Titouan and Noic.
Nordic was incredibly strong yesterday and he lead all the race. Titouan and I were fighting for the second place it’s only at the last part that I could pass him.
I was second at the finish line but I missed a buoy just 500m before the finish in the arrival channel. (I was looking for two red buoys as in the briefing that was supposed to show the entrance of the channel…) So I missed it I had to go back and turn over the yellow buoy, I lost a lot of time. Titouan and Arthur passed me then I finally got the 4th place. I am very disappointed about this mistake, but I will learn from this and improve at the next event.”
Pictures by Laurent Nevarez | For a more detailed event recap, visit the EuroTour SUP’s 2020 Vendee Gliss Event recap post.
