Starboard Dream Team riders Fiona Wylde has been having an absolute blinder throughout the 2021 SUP racing season, showing she was in great shape leading up to the 2021 ICF SUP World Championships hosted in Hungary this year – and she has delivered.
The Oregon based water women put on stellar performances in both the challenging Long Distance and fast-paced Technical events to take the women’s Gold medal for both disciplines. Fiona raced the Long Distance event on the Sprint and then changed boards to the All Star which is better suited to the dynamic course race format in the Technical event.
We’re excited for what the future holds for this Star of Oregon. But for now, let’s take a look back of how Fiona navigated her way through this year’s 2021 ICF Stand UP Paddleboard World Championships.
2021 ICF SUP Women’s Distance Race World Champion
Fiona started fast and lead the women’s field off the start line, as she usually does. There was a bunch of 4 women trailing her and often working together in the upwind stretches to try to close the gap but we were unable to. After the second lap and taking advantage of some downwind bumps, Fiona then further increased her lead leaving her competitors to battle it out for the 2nd and 3rd spots on the podium.
“What an incredible day! Still at a loss for words. Couldn’t be more proud of the way I was able to paddle today. I led the race from start to finish. Just shows, when you have a dream and a goal don’t ever stop until you’ve reached it! Never give up!!
Thank you to my family, we did it!”
2021 ICF SUP Women’s Technical Race World Champion
In another incredible feat of dominance in the women’s elite racing, Fiona took a commanding win in the Technical finals. After serval rounds of qualifying heats, Fiona came out strong and lead the women’s race on a very short and fast-paced Technical course.
“I really didn’t think this World Championships could go any better after winning the Distance World Title until today. I’m proud to share with all of you that today I won the women’s technical final, making me the 2021 Technical Race World Champion!!
This World Championship was massive, with 51 countries represented and over 500 athletes! It’s such an honor to win this prestigious event! Massive thanks to ICF and all of the athletes for making this happen!
There’s so much I’d like to say, so many thanks, and I’d love to share more about the experience, but this is it for now. Wow, 2 world titles over three days… truly a dream come true!”
From your Starboard Team and all your supporters around the world, we’d like to say a very well done to you Fiona! You deserve every bit of this for the awesome work you have put in!