Ze Race 2026 delivers classic Caribbean downwind in Guadeloupe

The 2026 Ze Race once again showcased Guadeloupe at its very best, with perfect downwind conditions lighting up the island’s flagship ocean race on 31 January 2026. Run over a 35km course from Pointe des Châteaux to Le Gosier, the event confirmed its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most demanding and rewarding long-distance paddling races.

With a strong following wind and clean, well-aligned swell, competitors across multiple disciplines benefited from fast, technical conditions that produced high average speeds and tight racing all the way to the finish. Open to stand up paddle, SUP foil, surfski, paddle-prone and kayak, Ze Race continues to position itself as a major meeting point for the international ocean racing community.

One of the standout features of the 2026 edition was the strength of the SUP foil field, now one of the largest categories alongside kayaks — underlining the rapid evolution of foiling within long-distance downwind formats.

Kay Thompson leads elite SUP foil field

Australian Kay Thompson, current world number one in SUP foil, claimed victory after a closely contested race that went down to the wire. Thompson crossed the line just one second ahead of Tahitian rider Axel Pham, with Thomas Goyard completing the podium after a prolonged battle in the final stages.

Speaking after the race, Thompson praised both the conditions and the course, describing the event as exceptional and confirming his intention to return. Pham echoed that sentiment, highlighting the physical demands of the course and the depth of the elite field.

Women’s SUP foil win for Naumi Eychenné

In the women’s SUP foil category, Naumi Eychenné of Tahiti took the win, continuing her strong run of form on the international circuit. A former surfer and current world number two in paddle, Eychenné described the race as a constantly changing downwind experience, with long glide sections interspersed with technical decision-making.

International participation and youth development

The 2026 event attracted competitors from France, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Marie-Galante, Saint-Martin, Australia, Switzerland, South Africa and Belgium, across elite, junior and veteran categories. Alongside the main race, the Mini Ze Race offered a shorter 7km course, providing younger paddlers with their first taste of downwind racing.

A key event for Guadeloupe

Local organisers and regional officials highlighted the race’s growing importance for Guadeloupe, not only as a sporting event but as a showcase for the island’s downwind potential. With participation numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels, discussions are already underway about further integrating Ze Race into the global ocean racing calendar.

With its combination of challenging open-ocean conditions, international participation and expanding SUP foil presence, Ze Race 2026 reinforced Guadeloupe’s status as one of the Caribbean’s premier destinations for downwind paddling.