It was a wild ride of amazing performances in Santa Pola this weekend for the 3rd stop 2022 SUP EuroTour. The World SUP Festival has been touted by many as ‘the biggest SUP race’ of the European summer ~ and with all the big names on the start list, it sure did look this way. The Starboard Dream Team delivered exceptional performances on race day with Noïc taking his first win with Team Starboard, while in the women’s it was Espe showing that she is the contender to beat this year.
He’s done it! Noïc Garioud takes his maiden win for Team Starboard
The New Cali champ had to battle hard with fellow teammate Michael Booth (2nd) and friend Ty Judson (3rd), with the final 1km being an epic showcase of sheer determination and grit to simply out paddle these 2 legends. In 4th place was fellow New Cali racer Titouan Puyo followed by some great performances by junior riders Shrimpy (16y/o ) closing out the hardest top 5, with 17-year old Starboard France rider Ethan Bry charging hard once again in a sprint to the line for 6th.
Michael was always about 100-150m in front and I was in a constant fight with Ty that was 30-50m ahead of me. Coming into the last 1500m the waves created by boat traffic were less intense, and the downwind part a little cleaner this is where I managed to push myself a little harder and found a nice speed average and passed Michael on the last 700-800m.” ~ Noïc Garioud (France)
Aussie powerhouse happy to finish in a close second to his teammate
“My race at the World SUP Festival went mostly to plan. I had a good rest day before the event and recovered well from a busy travel schedule of clinics and racing. I enjoy the adventure of an Island crossing and heading out on the ferry to Tabarca was really cool! We were greeted with 8-10knots of wind that would be behind us for most of the race. This coupled with extreme amounts of boat traffic would make the race very technical.
My start was one of the best I have had ever and I was able to get out in front and control the race. In the 4km upwind I conserved the best I could and Ty and I took an opportunity to gap the field about 750m from the turn. At 5km it was a race in 3 with Noïc, me and Ty battling it out in close quarters. The swells were there but you had to really work for them at the back side of the island before you could really surf after rounding the bottom. I seemed to grind out a solid gap to about 100m with a couple of kilometres to go.
Unfortunately for me, the gap closed quickly towards the end and I just did not have the energy to surge in the final moments. I was happy to finish in a close second and hold off Ty but I know where I need to work over the coming months to improve. I’m really enjoying being back on the road competing and seeing all my friends. The signings and the photos with the kids were awesome and I believe that the future is bright for SUP! The next stop for me will be APP Santa Monica! Thanks to Starboard for all their support.” ~ Michael Booth (Australia)
Espe Barreras powers away from the pack
In the woman’s race, we witnessed a superb performance by the Spanish Dream Team rider, who led from start to finish. Espe showed she is the woman to beat this year
– breaking away early on and never once looking back.
“Racing at World SUP Festival in Santa Pola was one of the most beautiful for me! Everyone has given a good squeeze to the body… but it’s all laughs & smiles at the finish line!
Congrats to all riders and to Team Spain” ~ Espe Barreras (Spain)
Gorgeous day out on the water for Stenta
Starboard teammate Caterina Stenta also had a great day out, paddling herself home to 6th position. Here’s what the Italian Dream Team rider had to say;
“Woah! What a hard and beautiful race on Saturday on the EuroTour! That was a wild long and hot ride from Tabarca Island to the mainland. I’m hungry for more!
Congrats to my teammates Espe & Noïc on their respective wins.” ~ Caterina Stenta (Italy)
2022 World SUP Festival Results – Top 10 Men:
1. Noic Garioud 🇫🇷 @starboardsup
2. Michael Booth 🇦🇺@starboardsup
3. Ty Judson 🇦🇺
4. Titouan Puyo 🇫🇷
5. Shuri Araki 🇯🇵
6. Ethan Bry 🇫🇷 @starboardsup
7. Arthur Arutkin 🇫🇷
8. Aaron Sanchez 🇪🇸 @starboardsup
9. Daniel Hasulyo 🇭🇺 @starboardsup
10. Liran Machlev 🇮🇱@starboardsup
2022 World SUP Festival Results – Top 10 Women:
1. Esperanza Barreras 🇪🇸@starboardsup
2. Duna Gordillo 🇪🇸
3. Anáis Guyomarch 🇫🇷
4. Amandine Chazot 🇫🇷
5. Melanie Lafenetre 🇫🇷
6. Caterina Stenta 🇮🇹 @starboardsup
7. Cecilia Pampinella 🇮🇹
8. Iona Rivet 🇫🇷
9. Laura Quetglas 🇪🇸
10. Caroline Küntzel 🇩🇰
Thank you Starboard Spain for the awesome support on the ground, taking care of both our Dream Team riders and Tiki riders from around the world. Big shout out to Georgia Schofield for bringing us these awesome action shots, courtesy of The Euro Tour.
