AUSTRALIA WINS THIRD CONSECUTIVE TEAM GOLD MEDAL AT THE 2014 ISA WORLD STANDUP PADDLE AND PADDLEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP IN NICARAGUA

11th May 2014

Casper Steinfath (DEN) And Shakira Westdorp (AUS) Win SUP Technical Races; Rhys Burrows (AUS) And Jordan Mercer (AUS) Win Paddleboard Technical Races; Australia Wins The ISA Relay

ISA President Fernando Aguerre (far left) and Minister of Tourism Mayra Salinas (far right), present Team Australia with the 2014 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Team Gold Medal and World Team Champion Plate. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The Australians won 8 of the 12 Gold Medals earning them the overall Team Gold Medal and the World Team Champion Trophy.
Once again, on the final day of the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC), Lake Nicaragua greeted all of the National Delegations with a beautiful and hot day to crown the remainder of the event’s World Champions. In the Paddleboard Technical Races, which were the first of the day, Australia’s Jordan Mercer and Rhys Burrows won the Gold Medals. The SUP Technical Races where next, and Australia’s Shakira Westdorp and Denmark’s Casper Steinfath won the Gold. The last event of the day was the ISA Relay, which Australia won.

Today’s four Gold Medalists put on incredible performances: (clockwise from top left) Jordan Mercer (AUS), Rhys Burrows (AUS), Shakira Westdorp (AUS) and Casper Steinfath (DEN). Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

“The 2014 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship has been a total success, with the largest number of competitors in history. The event has grown from about 150 last year to nearly 250 in just one year, and it is now officially closed,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre during the Closing Ceremony. “I am very happy about our host, the government and people of Nicaragua, and the private sector, who have done an amazing job on making this the most memorable ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship ever! It’s never easy to leave a place that has treated you very nice, so I’m sad that we’ll be leaving tomorrow, all as ambassadors of Nicaragua. Hopefully, we’ll be coming back soon to beautiful Nicaragua, the place where the offshore winds never stop, and where the water and air are always very warm.”

In their first ever participation in the ISA WSCUPPC, Team Nicaragua, placed 11th in the world. Most of the athletes started training in this disciple less than a month ago, with the athletes coming from other disciplines such as canoe, rowing, and swimming. This shows the dedication and determination to defend their home court, as the host of this World Championship.
The last day of competition started with the Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race Final, where the Aussie and undefeated ISA World Champion, Jordan Mercer (31:54) achieved yet another Gold Medal defeating USA’s Silver Medalist, Carter Graves (33:01), Spain’s Bronze Medalist, Itziar Abascal (33:27), and New Zealand’s Copper Medalist, Ashley Cochrane (34:42).

ISA President Fernando Aguerre with the four SUP Medalists. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

“I definitely went out to have a great start because we had a heavy head wind heading out to the first buoy, and as soon as we turned there was a nice downwind section,” said an elated Mercer. “I knew that if I got caught up on that first turn I wouldn’t get the advantage of that downwind and try to get a nice lead. I went out pretty hard at the start and to have the girls chasing me at my tail half way through, I was thinking it probably wasn’t the best idea as I was starting to get tiered and they were gaining on me, but thank goodness I was able to hold on.”

In the Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race Final, Australia’s Rhys Burrows took the Gold Medal after just winning the Long Distance Race Gold Medal the day before. In a time of 30:02, the Aussie defeated New Zealand’s Silver Medalist, Andrew Newton (30:18), Aussie Bronze Medalist, Rory Chapman (30:26), and South African Copper Medalist, Brandon Ribbink (31:10).

Australia’s Rhys Burrows. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

“It’s really cool to get two World Championships in two consecutive days. I’d say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done,” commented Burrows.
In the Women’s SUP Technical Race Final, one of the standouts of the whole event, Australia’s Shakira Westdorp, who medaled in three different disciplines, won the Gold Medal in a time of 31:27. The Aussie defeated Canada’s Silver Medalist Lina Augaitis (31:33), Costa Rica’s Bronze Medalist, Jenny Kalmback (31:46), and USA’ Copper Medalist, Shae Foudy (33:33).

ISA President Fernando Aguerre with the Paddleboard Medalists. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

“I’m over the moon!,” said an elated Westdorp. “I didn’t expect it, I was hoping to be amongst the finalist, but to take the win against a tough field, I’m so stoked. It was a really hard race and I got off to a good start and used the downwind sections to my advantage.”

Australia’s Shakira Westdorp. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The Men’s SUP Technical Race Final was a nail-biting showdown. The lead pack quickly separated from the field in a group of 11 racers. The American Slater Trout led the pack until Mexico’s Fernando Stalla overtook him. The Mexican racer was shooting for gold, but in the last lap, he took a fall while rounding a buoy, and lost the lead. While Trout and Stalla were battling it out for the lead, the defending Champion, Casper Steinfath (DEN), was waiting for the right moment to strike with the energy he had conserved. After rounding the final buoy, Steinfath was in a full sprint and was able to overtake the lead and defend his Gold Medal

Denmark’s Casper Steinfath leading the pack. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

“I have so many emotions goings through my body right now,” said a jubilant Steinfath. “I came into the race and paddled my hardest against the best in the world and I’m honored to get my second Gold Medal in two years. It’s just unreal, I never dreamt of this. I was so nervous before this race so it’s nice to get the pressure off my shoulders. Once you are in the water it’s just pure commitment and fun. I especially want to thank the ISA, it’s fantastic to be here.”
Australia’s Lincoln Dews won the Silver Medal (29:23), USA’s Slater Trout won the Bronze (29:26), and Eric Terrien won the Copper Medal (29:39).

ISA President Fernando Aguerre with the SUP Medalists. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

To conclude, the exciting ISA Relay Race took place, featuring the top eight Teams. After a tough battle, Australia finished in first followed by United States, Spain, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Mexico, and Venezuela.
For full results click here
Overall team results:

1. Australia – 16,750
2. USA – 13,100
3. Brazil – 10,667
4. Spain – 10,501
5. France – 9,532
6. Mexico – 9,398
7. South Africa – 9,032
8. Peru – 8,671
9. Venezuela – 8,266
10. New Zealand – 8,261
11. Nicaragua – 7,527
12. 
Great Britain – 7,360
13. Guatemala – 6,234
14. Canada – 6,180
15. Denmark – 5,053
16. Costa Rica – 3,870
17. Ireland – 2,670
18. Italy – 2,300
19. El Salvador – 2,080
20. Tahiti – 2,080
21. Chile – 1,870
22. Latvia – 1,865
23. Germany – 1,560
24. Colombia – 1,360
25. Japan – 1,276
26. Panama – 1,200
27. Barbados – 720

Day 7 / 10th May 2014 : ISA Press release

EPIC 18 KM MEN’S SUP AND PADDLEBOARD LONG DISTANCE RACE ON LAKE NICARAGUA

France’s Titouan Puyo Wins the SUP Race and Australia’s Rhys Burrows Wins The Paddleboard Race at the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship

Titouan Puyo from France is the new Men’s World SUP Long Distance Champion after defeating a stacked field of competitors on an epic 18 Km race on Lake Nicaragua. Photo:ISA/Michael Tweddle

Day 7 saw epic Men’s SUP and Paddleboard 18 Km Long Distance Races at the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC). Over 60 of the world’s best SUP and Paddleboarders took on the exciting long distance course that navigates through the 365 “Isletas of Granada” on Lake Nicaragua.

Australian Rhys Burrows (right) won the Gold Medal and New Zealand’s Sam Shergold won the Silver Medal in the Men’s Paddleboard Long Distance race. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

In a high caliber field of competitors from every corner of the world, the Gold Medalists, and new World Champions are France’s Titouan Puyo and Australia’s Rhys Burrows in the SUP and Paddleboard races respectively.
“These stellar athletes have done a tremendous job racing through the most beautiful islands on Lake Nicaragua for 18 kilometers in about two hours. Today was another amazing day in the ISA World Championship, with a lot of excitement in the water and on the beach. As the event comes to an end tomorrow, lots of new friendships have been started, and old ones strengthened. Twelve Gold Medals will be awarded, but the competition has included 260 national stars of the top 27 SUP nations in the world. On Sunday we will be crowning the Technical and Relay Races Champions, and holding the Closing Ceremony awarding individual and World Team Champions.”

Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The ISA President welcomed every one of the racers as they crossed the finish line, handing them a cold bottle of water to help cool them down after a grueling race, especially the last 2 Km, which was a stiff upwind leg.
The Men’s SUP Long Distance Race kicked off with 15 of the 35 racers forming a lead pack. At first, the group was led by Mexico’s Fernando Stalla, who took off in a sprint out of the start followed by Slater Trout (USA), Eric Terrien (FRA), and Casper Steinfath (DEN), amongst others. Then, Americans, Trout and Chuck Glynn worked as a team to take the lead. The front running train also included racers from Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The South African racer, Ethan Koopmans, suffered a shocker, as he was part of the lead pack and was closing in on the leaders, but in the middle of his effort his paddle broke in half. However, Koopmans did not give up, and even though he finished in last place, he completed the course paddling, holding his broken paddle in his hand.

South Africa’s Ethan Koopmans. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

As the race progressed through the picturesque islands, the French duo, Puyo, a downwind specialist, and his teammate, Terrien, took over the lead and seemed to be uncatchable. The Americans, Stalla, and Steinfath did their best to keep up, but only the Aussie, Lincoln Dews, the 2013 ISA World Paddleboard Silver Medalist, was able to remain close to the leader.
In the end, Puyo (FRA, 1:49:25) took the Gold Medal, Dews (AUS, 1:50:24), the Silver, Terrien (FRA, 1:50:43), the Bronze, and Vinicius Martins (BRA, 1:51:12), the Copper.

France’s Gold Medalist Titouan Puyo. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

“It feels amazing!,” said an elated Puyo about being World Champion. “It was a good race, very difficult at the beginning because of the drafting, since there were so many of us in the first group when we were going through the islands. I knew that if I was in first at the buoy before the open water downwind part, it would be good, and I did it. In the downwind, I was first and I never stopped.”
In the Men’s Paddleboard Long Distance Race, the athletes took off in a sprint from the start and never looked back. The leader’s pack included Rhys Burrows (AUS), Sam Shergold (NZL), Rory Chapman (AUS), and David Buil Sanz (SPA). Despite changing of positions throughout the course, it was the Aussie and Kiwi that sprinted to the finish line.
As Burrows and Shergold approached the finish line, the Aussie had enough left in the tank to outsprint his fellow competitor and took the Gold finishing in 1:55:12.

Rhys Burrows (AUS) and Sam Shergold (NZL) sprinting to the final. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

“It was definitely a very hard race. It was very hot especially when you are in between the islands and there’s no wind, but once you get out in the open lake, the wind is a lot better. I hope there’s a bit of wind chop tomorrow so I can go for another Gold in the Technical Race Final.”
New Zealand’s Sam Shergold earned the Silver Medal (1:55:17), Australia’s Rory Chapman, the Bronze Medal (1:58:01), and Spain’s David Buil Sanz, the Copper Medal (1:59:10).
Of special note was the local SUP Racer Norwin Estrella, who finished 23rd in the world with a credible time of 2:07:24.

Nicaragua’s Norwin Estrella. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

“I feel very happy to have finished this stage of StandUp Paddle Racing. I feel tired now, but I’m glad I finished the race despite all the challenges along the way and the pressure of the other competitors. After all, I was able to place amongst the best in the world in this category. I’m happy to be here and it’s an honor and I feel proud to represent my country of Nicaragua in both StandUp Paddle and SUP Surfing.”
Another special story was the Delgado family, who are Team Peru members. Raul and his son Itzel both competed in the SUP Long Distance Race, and Raul’s wife, Lizenka competed yesterday in the Women’s SUP Long Distance Course. It was a beautiful sight to see the whole family supporting and cheering on each other in their races.

Team Peru’s Delgado family, Mother Lizenka (left), father Raul (center), and son Itzel (right). Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle.

Competition concludes on Sunday with The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodge and Jamie Mitchell at 8:40am, followed by:

9:00am- Women’s Prone Technical Race Final
9:45am- Men’s Prone Technical Race Final
10:30- Women’s SUP Technical Race Final
11:15am- Men’s SUP Technical Race Final
12:00pm- ISA Relay Race Final
Closing Ceremony

Day 6 / 9th May 2014 : ISA Press release

CANADA’S LINA AUGAITIS AND AUSTRALIA’S JORDAN MERCER CLAIM GOLD IN THE 18KM LONG DISTANCE RACES
9th May 2014

Amazing Women’s SUP And Paddleboard Performances On Lake Nicaragua During Day 6 Of The ISA World StandUp Paddle And Paddleboard Championship

ISA President Fernando Aguerre with the two Long Distance Gold Medalists, Australia’s Jordan Mercer (left), the 3-times ISA World Paddleboard Long Distance Champion and Canada’s Lina Augaitis (right), the ISA World SUP Long Distance Champion. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Another beautiful, hot and windy day on Lake Nicaragua set the stage for the Women’s SUP and Paddleboard Long Distance Races, where Canada’s Lina Augaitis won the 18km SUP Race and Australia’s Jordan Mercer won the 18km Paddleboard Race.

Canada’s Lina Augaitis is the new ISA Women’s World SUP Long Distance Champion, after finishing the 18km course in 1:58:24 to win the Gold Medal. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The world’s best female SUP and Paddleboard Racers navigated their way to the medals through the “Isletas de Granada” on Day 6 of the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC). The 365 islands provided an amazing backdrop for the race as the athletes navigated through the course located southeast of the city of Granada.

Team GB’s Marie Buchanan in the middle of the pack. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

“What a day!,” remarked a jubilant ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We are in the beautiful Lake Nicaragua and had an amazing day of racing. The ladies impressed me today in the challenging 18km distance race under the strong Nicaraguan heat. Everyone put on an incredible fight through the islands and then, of course, the final kilometer against the wind, the toughest part of the competition. Congratulations to all of the ladies for their amazing effort.”

In the Women’s Paddleboar Long Distance Race, Aussie Jordan Mercer achieved her third consecutive Gold Medal and ISA World Championship. USA’s Carter Craves earned the Silver Medal and Spain’s Itzair Abascal Rivero, the Bronze Medal. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

In the Women´s SUP Race, Canada’s Lina Augaitis is the new ISA Women’s World SUP Long Distance Champion, after finishing the 18 kilometer course in 1:58:24 to win the Gold Medal. The Canadian and the Australian, Shakira Westdorp took off from the start and separated themselves from the pack, but it was ultimately Augaitis who finished in 1st and earned the Gold Medal.
“This race had a little bit of everything, flatwater, some head wind, some really hard side chop, and a really nice downwind,” said the elated Gold Medalist, Augaitis. “The scenery was beautiful with the islands, and the monkeys came out and cheered us on. For a distance race, it’s the kind I like. I like point-to-point races because they are an adventure and you don’t know what’s coming up next, so I thought it was a really great course.”

Canada’s Gold Medalist Lina Augaitis. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Westdorp earned the Silver Medal (AUS, 2:00:20) after winning the Bronze Medal just three days ago in La Boquita in the SUP Surfing. Barbara Brazil (BRA, 2:02:49) won Bronze, and the 15 year-old Shae Foudy (USA, 2:03:40), the Copper.
In the Women’s Paddleboard Long Distance Race, Aussie Jordan Mercer achieved her third consecutive Gold Medal and ISA World Championship. The 20 year-old Australian once again showed her talent by taking the lead from the start of the race, along with USA’s Carter Graves, who followed closely for the first few kilometers of the race. With 7 kilometers to go, Mercer left Graves behind and finished the race in 1:59:16.
“For me,” said Mercer while recovering in the in the winners circle. “The preparation is very important. I don’t like to enter races I’m not 100% prepared for and to know that I’m going to give the best I possibly can. When it comes to race day, all of the hard work is done and it becomes a mental game, so staying positive, making the right decisions, and racing smart is often better than racing hard.”
Mercer continued talking about her experience on the course: “It was absolutely amazing to take in the beauty of where we are when we are hurting so much in the race. We were working our way and navigating through all of these islands, and everywhere you looked it’s just beautiful islands, big rocks, and trees. It was a real adventure trying to make our way through the course and navigate to where we needed to be. I really enjoyed when we came out of the islands and went downwind and got to chase all the bumps and surf our way. Although, to finish off that race was a massive headwind coming back home and was one of the toughest parts.”
USA’s Carter Craves earned the Silver Medal (2:02:20), Spain’s Itzair Abascal Rivero, the Bronze Medal (2:09:49), and New Zealand’s Ashley Cochrane, the Copper Medal (2:17:19).
Of special note was the local SUP Racer Ana Vanegas, who finished 10th in the world with a time of 2:26:23. Vanegas is a seasoned canoe paddler that trains and competes in this discipline, who lives in one of the islands, and just learned how to SUP race less than two weeks ago. Her sister Maria is also representing Nicaragua and competed today in the Paddleboard Race and finished in 10th as well.

Nicaragua’s Ana Vanegas. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

“It was tough because of the conditions, but I maintained myself,” said Ana Vanegas. “I was focused on the racer ahead of me and was trying to catch her. I am very happy and very proud to represent my country.”
Competition resumes on Saturday with The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodge and Jamie Mitchell at 8:40am, followed by the Men’s SUP and Paddleboard Long Distance Race at 9:00am. The course will run through the breathtaking “Isletas of Granada” and will be 18km in length.

Watch the live webcast on SUPboarder here.

SUP RACING UNDERWAY ON LAKE NICARAGUA

Day 5 / 8th May 2014 : ISA Press release

SUP And Paddleboard Technical Races Plus Relay Race Finalists Decided On Day 5 Of The ISA World Standup Paddle And Paddleboard Championship

Casper Steinfath from Denmark, defending ISA World Champion, had the best overall time of the day in the SUP Technical Race, finishing in 25:00. Steinfath was in 4th place with only 300m to go in the race, but the experienced champion kicked in to high gear and blew past his fellow competitors. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The racing portion of the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship has officially kicked off on Thursday in the historical and colonial city of Granada, on the picturesque Lake Nicaragua.

USA’s Carter Craves, the 2013 Catalina Classic Women’s Champion, led the pack in the Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race. The American finished in 29:06, over two minutes faster that the 2012 and 2013 ISA World Paddleboard Champion, Jordan Mercer. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The SUP and Paddleboard Technical Races, plus the ISA Relay Race semifinals took place during Day 5 of the ISA WSUPPC. The world’s best raced for a spot in the Grand Finals that will take place on Sunday.
Sunny skies, hot weather and Lake Nicaragua’s typically strong winds greeted the athletes from the start of today’s competition.

“We are here at beautiful Lake Nicaragua,” remarked an excited ISA President, Fernando Aguerre. “This lake has a remarkable and meaningful history. In addition to their beauty, the 365 islands on the lake are home to some of Nicaragua’s team members. For generations, the only means of travelling around these islands was by paddling canoes. We feel very special as guests in their home, having the first ever Nicaraguan SUP Team competing in this ISA World Championship.”

The first race in the water was the Paddleboard Technical Races for Men and Women. The best racer in the Men’s was Australia’s Rhys Burrows, who competed in Heat 2. Burrows finished his race in 26:31 and secured a spot on Sunday’s final.

Australia’s Rhys Burrows. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

In heat #2 of the Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race, USA’s Carter Craves, the 2013 Catalina Classic Women’s Champion, led the pack. The American finished in 29:06 to defeat her rivals. In heat #1 the 2012 and 2013 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalist, Jordan Mercer won her Heat in 31:11. Finishing more than two minutes behind Craves, Mercer has her work cut out in the finals.

2012 and 2013 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalist, Jordan Mercer (AUS), and Spain’s Itziar Abascal Rivero. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Up next was the SUP Technical Racers, who also gave a great show to the hundreds of local spectators that visited Lake Nicaragua today. The 8 buoy, butterfly shaped course of 6km in length provided an exciting platform for the races.
In the Men’s SUP Technical Race, Casper Steinfath from Denmark, defending ISA World Champion, had the best overall time of the day, finishing in 25:00. Steinfath was in 4th place with only 300m to go in the race, but the experienced champion kicked in to high gear and blew past the Mexico’s Fernando Stalla (25:03), Brazil’s Vinicius Martins (25:08) and USA’s Chuck Glynn (25:12).
The fastest racer in the Women’s SUP Technical Race was Canada’s Lina Augaitis, 2014 Abu Dhabi All Stars Grand Slam Champion. Augaitis finished in 26:48 defeating 2013 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalist, Shakira Westdorp (27:01) from Australia.
The day closed with the exciting ISA Team Relay Races, where Team USA set the pace with the best time of 18:07, almost a minute faster then the second place finisher in heat #2. In heat #1 the Australia took a commanding lead and finished in first with a time of 18:24.

Competition resumes on Friday with The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodge and Jamie Mitchell at 8:40am, followed by the Women’s SUP and Paddleboard Distance Race at 9:00am. The long distance course will run through the breathtaking “Isletas of Granada” and will be 18km in length.
Watch the live webcast on SUPboarder here.

SUP, PADDLEBOARD AND RELAY RACES START THURSDAY AT 9:00AM

Day 5 / 7th May 2014 : ISA Press release

Race Courses For the 2014 ISA World SUP And Paddleboard Championship In Nicaragua Announced

2013 ISA WSUPPC Women’s SUP Long Distance Race Copper Medalist, Laura Quetglas from Spain, gets ready to improve her result from last year in Peru. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) in Nicaragua continues tomorrow with the SUP, Paddleboard, and Relay Races on Lake Nicaragua. All 27 National Teams have returned to Granada, after the exciting SUP Surfing in La Boquita Beach, for the thrilling racing leg of the ISA WSUPPC.

The world’s best SUPers and Paddleboarders are training hard in preparation for the upcoming races in the 2014 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The Technical, Long Distance and Relay race courses have been announced. Click here to see each course map- http://isawsuppc.com/technical-long-distance-and-relay-race-courses-announced/

Thursday will begin with The Morning Show at 08:40am hosted by Beau Hodge, ISA World Champion Jamie Mitchell and SUP Racer’s Chris Parker, followed by the competition with:
Paddleboard Technical Race

• 9:00am – Women Heat #1
• 
9:30am – Men Heat #1
• 10:00am – Women Heat #2
• 
10:30am – Men Heat #2

SUP Technical Race

• 11:30am – Women Heat #1
• 
12:00pm – Men Heat #1
• 
12:30pm – Women Heat #2
• 1:00pm – Men Heat #2

ISA Relay Race

• 2:00pm ISA Relay #1
• 
2:25pm ISA Relay #2
• 
2:50pm ISA Relay #3

Watch the live webcast on – ISA and on SUPboarder here.