The ICF season opener ‘Spring SUP Race’ took place in Comacchio, Italy this past weekend. Japanese team rider Rai Taguchi put in solid performances to comfortably win both the Long Distance and Technical events, while teammate Cam Tripney put on a display of sheer power to win the 200m Sprint.
Rai reports back:
“This past weekend I participated in an ICF event held in Italy.
There were three events: technical, sprint, and long distance, and all the races were held on a small lake.
I used the 2024 model sprint in all the races.
On the first day, the qualifying, quarterfinals, and semifinals of the technical race were held.
The course was 500m per lap with six buoy turns.
The distance between the buoys was very short, and it was a very technical race.
I didn’t get a good start in the qualifying, quarterfinals, and semifinals, but the tail of the new sprint allowed me to make smooth turns, so I was able to finish in a good position and stay in the final.
The technical final was held on the second day.
I got off to a good start in the final, passing in third place in the first lap, and while the other athletes were getting tired in the second lap, the new sprint showed a great run and I was able to smoothly take the lead without slowing down.
This race proved that the new sprint can be used in technical races with many turns.
On the second day, there was also a sprint.
Since the technical race was also held on the same day, it took a long time from the qualifying round to the final, and it got colder with each race, making it a tough race.
The final was held at 7:30 p.m., as the sun was setting and the race was cold.
I wasn’t satisfied with my result in the final, coming in 6th, but I’d like to build on that for next time.
The third day was a long distance race, with two laps of a 6km course.
I ran in the lead from the start and raced while watching the situation on the first lap.
As soon as I entered the second lap, I made a long sprint using my sprint speed as planned, and opened up a gap on the second place pack, and was able to maintain a high pace and finish in first place.
Cam reports on the 200m event:
Saturday 6th April – 200m Sprint heats & finals
“Conditions on the lake remained glassy and after a tough heat of technical finals, I was ready for new challenge of 200m Sprints, and being the discipline that I had prepared the best for. I wanted to chase that feeling again of sprinting after my Junior ICF World title back in 2022 Gdynia, Poland. Only this time it was open men, but I was feeling strong, mentally, and physically. I again made another decision to switch to a 20.5 Allstar, 2023 model and got paired with my XL Lima, s35 for full power. I made it through all my heats comfortably, winning each one and yet saving energy for the big final a head, I had full confidence that I could get this title. It was late, cold, and nearly dark when the finals arrived, but I was ready to die out there, I needed that feeling again of winning a 200m. I went off with full power sitting just in first, then really started to put down the hammer and use that XL blade to its full affect. I crossed the finish line in 1st place with about 2 board lengths of a win. I was super stoked and worked hard for that moment, it was my first open men’s international win, and I am hungry for that feeling again.”
