International Mediterranean SUP Race
- Written by Morgan Becker
- Published in News
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
In the warm waters of the bay of St. Tropez and with chic sunbathers looking on from the fine sand of the French Riviera, stand up paddlers competed in the International Mediterranean SUP race.
Starting from the beach, the SUP race competitors dash into the water to gain good position.
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St. MAXIME, France - A fantastic event put together by the Cigale Surf Club on the weekend May 28-29 in the crystal clear bay of St Tropez France. Over 100 competitors came from all over Europe with even Bart de Zwart the Dutch/Hawaiian coming in from Hawaii.
The team relay was the first race of the day that got everyone fired up. Three men and one woman with adrenaline filled the beach transition relay sprint in the sand. A great start of the day for Team NIDECKER who finished second.
There was a fantastic atmosphere on the beach where most of the leading SUP brands presented their range as well as having visitors test boards. To allow the competitors to be in top shape after the grueling relay, the most important race of the weekend; the "BOP style" (4 laps with a beach chicane run on each lap) 7km Elite SUP Race was held just after 4pm.
With a beach start, the competitors lined up to the instruction of the beach marshal. Eric Terrien took a great start to lead the Elite race from start to finish with 1minute 20 seconds lead ahead of the pack. Eric won the 7km Elite Race with his stock NIDECKER All Water Race 12'6 in 41 minutes 55 seconds.
The 15 kilometer long distance race took place along the St Maxime coastline on Sunday with a 7km upwind buoy and then 7km downwind course to enter the bay with the last kilometer upwind in St Maxime’s center. A great fight between Bart and Eric both on 14' Race boards, side by side for much of the distance with great sportsmanship from the 2 athletes, the battle was fierce. Bart finally is able to pull ahead and lead the race finishing in 1 hours 38 minutes 56 seconds with Eric close behind and both riders more than 2 minutes ahead of the pack.
Eric Terrien, the grand winner of the weekend, walked away with the beautifully crafted first International Mediterranean SUP Race trophy. Eric, who by winning the Elite Race and placing second in the 15 km long distance race, leads to win the trophy with 24 seconds ahead of Bart de Zwart.
What exotic location would you like to SUP in?
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Morgan Becker
After spending the first part of her life in Minnesota, Morgan traded in her snow boots for sandals and moved to sunny California. After graduating with a degree in Communication from The University of Southern California, she eventually made her way down south to San Diego and is taking advantage of the living by the best beaches and burritos California has to offer. If it’s sunny, you can find her at the beach relaxing, or exploring the calm water in the bay via paddleboards and kayaks.
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