Sarasota Shines on the Global Stage for ICF Championships
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SARASOTA, Florida - The 2024 ICF Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) & Paddleboard World Championships in Sarasota, Florida, delivered an electrifying showcase of elite talent, record-breaking performances, and historic milestones. With a mix of thrilling sprints, technical challenges, and grueling long-distance races, athletes from around the globe competed at Nathan Benderson Park, leaving spectators in awe.
LONG-DISTANCE RACES
Esperanza Barreras’ Redemption Arc
Spain’s Esperanza Barreras claimed her third consecutive long-distance title, clocking 1:11:50.18 to secure gold. After losing the technical crown earlier to compatriot Duna Gordillo, Barreras’ win reaffirmed her dominance, making this her fourth world title overall. Mariecarmen Rivera (Puerto Rico) and Juliette Duhaime (Argentina) completed the podium with strong performances.
Shuri Araki | Photo: ICF / Romain Bruneau
Shuri Araki’s Breakthrough
Japan’s Shuri Araki exacted revenge on France’s Noic Garioud to claim the men’s long-distance gold in 1:05:41.76. At just 18 years old, Araki’s triumph marked a major milestone in his career. Brazil’s Eri Tenorio rounded out the top three with a gutsy effort.
Rising Stars and Veteran Excellence
- Junior Champions: Japan’s Kotaro Miyahira and Hungary’s Csillag Kocsis topped the junior men’s and women’s races.
- Masters Glory: Dutch paddlers Joep van Bakel and Petronella van Malsen swept the over-40 titles, while Germany’s Peter Weidert and Czechia’s Katerina Trdlova shone in the over-50 category.
Noic Garioud. | Photo: ICF / Romain Bruneau
TECHNICAL RACES
Garioud’s Resurgence
France’s Noic Garioud bounced back from sprint disappointment to clinch the men’s technical gold in 3:51.97, adding a fifth world title to his impressive resume. Japan’s Araki and Spain’s Manuel Hoyuela took silver and bronze.
The Rise of Gordillo
Spain’s Duna Gordillo dethroned Esperanza Barreras in spectacular fashion, claiming the women’s technical title with a commanding win in 4:35.97. “I am so happy about my race,” Gordillo shared. “There were so many strong women in this final.”
Youth and Experience Shine
- Juniors: Hungary’s Csillag Kocsis and Japan’s Nariakira Shimazu emerged victorious in their respective categories.
- Masters: Japan’s Ryohei Yoshida and the Netherlands’ Petronella van Malsen dominated the over-40 technical races, with Germany’s Peter Weidert and Greece’s Penny Tsaoutou excelling in the over-50 events.
Duna Gordillo. | Photo: ICF / Romain Bruneau
SPRINTS: THE NEW 100M ERA
The debut of the 100m sprints added a dynamic twist to the championship, delivering some of the most dramatic finishes of the event.
- Men’s Open: Bulgaria’s Andrii Kraitor secured gold with a blistering 23.05, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s fastest.
- Women’s Open: The USA celebrated a home victory as Katniss Paris captured gold in 28.32, leading an American one-two with Seychelle taking silver.
- Junior Highlights: Romania’s Matei Barbu and Italy’s Cecilia Pampinella dominated their fields, showcasing the future of SUP.
INFLATABLE SUP AND RECREATIONAL RACES
- Inflatable SUP Champions: Bulgaria’s Andrii Kraitor and South Korea’s Sujeong Lim took top honors in the men’s and women’s inflatable categories, further demonstrating the versatility required to excel in SUP.
- Recreational Division: Chile’s Victoria Landeta and Peru’s Andres Velis claimed titles in the community-focused races, emphasizing the inclusivity of the sport.
- Youth Competition: Future champions emerged in the U13 and U15 divisions, with standout performances from Japan’s Kurumi Fukai, Greece’s Nikos Farsaris, Poland’s Lena Nowak, and Italy’s Serse Sabato.
A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF SUP
Nathan Benderson Park proved the ideal backdrop for the 2024 ICF World Championships, pushing athletes to their limits on flatwater conditions. The event highlighted SUP’s global reach, with competitors from across the globe delivering awe-inspiring performances. From record-setting sprints to tactical technical races and grueling long-distance challenges, the Sarasota championships will be remembered as a defining moment in SUP’s evolution. The future of the sport has never looked brighter. For more coverage from the 2024 ICF SUP World Championships, head to Planet Canoe.
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Staff
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