by Chris Couve | May 18, 2015 | Prone, Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Racing
Australia 4-Peats ISA Team Relay; Jordan Mercer (AUS), Jack Bark (USA) Win Paddleboard Technical; Candice Appleby (USA), Conner Baxter (HAW) Win SUP Technical
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Team USA celebrating on the podium after winning the World Team Champion Trophy and Gold Medal. USA’s six individual Gold Medals were enough to dethrone the reigning champions Australia. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
Team USA celebrating on the podium after winning the World Team Champion Trophy and Gold Medal. USA’s six individual Gold Medals were enough to dethrone the reigning champions Australia. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
The 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri culminated with 27 National Delegations erupting in celebration on the beautiful beach of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.
Racers head towards the beach transition portion of the course. Negotiating the shore break was crucial for success. Photo: ISA/ Ben Reed
Kicking off the final day of competition was the ISA Team Relay Race. Four members from each team united in the name of their country to take to the technical course alternating between SUP and Paddleboard Racing.
The first team to complete the course was the dynamic Australians that earned their fourth repeat victory. Rounding out the rest of the team relay results were New Zealand in second, USA in third and Hawaii in fourth, respectively.
The first individual event of the day was the Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race, and it was with little surprise that Australian Jordan Mercer earned the Gold Medal. Mercer is the most decorated athlete in the history of the ISA and took home Gold Medals in every discipline she competed in.
Jordan Mercer, the most decorated ISA athlete in history, added to her Medal collection this week winning every discipline she competed in. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“You are out there paddleboarding and all you have is your hands and your heart,” said the experienced Mercer. “That’s all you have to work with. So, to know the support and spirit that I have being an Australian — I go out there racing for my country… Australia is a country of pride, a country of privilege, and one that I am so honored to represent.”
Completing the lineup of women paddleboard medalists was Carter Graves (USA) earning Silver, Itziar Abascal (ESP) getting the Bronze and Jasmine Smith (NZL) taking home the Copper.
In the Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race, American Jack Bark was the first to finish nearly 20 seconds ahead of his competition with a time of 23:24. Australian Lachie Lansdown was the next to cross the finish but only three seconds behind him was Kiwi Cory Taylor and Hawaiian Kai Hall another seven seconds later.
Part of USA’s week of dominance included Sunday’s Gold Medal performance by Jack Bark in the Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“It’s an honor to be here for the United States. To be able to help them out and win a gold was awesome!” exclaimed Bark after his result had set in and his team surrounded him.
The fourth final of the day was the Women’s SUP Technical Race where a second American claimed Gold further distancing themselves from the Australians in the overall team points. Candice Appleby was that American and took home her second Gold after winning the SUP Distance Race earlier in the week. Terrene Black (AUS), Penelope Strickland (NZL) and Lina Augaitis (CAN) made up the rest of that podium.
Candice Appleby leading the pack in today’s Women’s Technical Race, winning her second individual Gold Medal at the ISA World Championship. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“Our team unity is second to none and I think it’s going to end up that way at the end of the day,” expressed Appleby with national pride. “Everybody is so excited and so motivated. The Individual Gold, Silver, Bronze and all the different places are awesome, but they are just stepping stones towards our final goal.”
The Men’s SUP Technical Race saw intense action as the best athletes in the world stayed neck-and-neck for the first two and a half laps with only board lengths separating their positions. Into the third lap Conner Baxter and Hawaiian teammate Mo Freitas began to break away from the pack, but with the two-time, ISA Gold Medalist Casper Steinfath of Denmark and Titouan Puyo of France only a few board lengths away, the race was anything but decided until the very end.
Ultimately, the Hawaiian teammates would scratch their way into a wave on the last lap that allowed them to cruise into back-to-back finishes. Baxter took the first Gold Medal of the event for his team and Freitas earned Silver. Steinfath barely missed the wave his opponents rode to victory and would end up in an all out sprint for a photo finish against Puyo. In the end, Puyo was awarded the Bronze and Steinfath the Copper.
Conner Baxter propelling Team Hawaii to the Team Bronze Medal with his individual Gold Medal in the Men’s SUP Technical Race. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
“It’s definitely a different vibe,” said the first-time ISA Gold Medalist Baxter. “The Maui boys, we represent Aloha and always cheer each other on, but having the whole team spirit and all the other 27 different countries, it’s so amazing. Normally you are going into it with a mindset for yourself, but this week we are going for Team Hawaii. We definitely tried our best.”
The remaining Gold Medal to be determined was that of the overall ISA World Team Champion — the most coveted medal of the entire ISA World Championship.
The revealing of the ISA World Team Champion took place at the end of the Closing Ceremony once every other medal had been awarded.
Coming into the week of competition it was known that Team Australia had their work cut out for them as the defending champions for the past three years running. The debut of the Hawaiians at the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship was certainly thought to be a threat, but it turned out to be the Americans with the most dominant showing and eventually taking the title.
The whole town of Sayulita joined the international crowd to witness the ISA World Championship and support the athletes. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“It has been the most phenomenal week in the history of the sport, and I want to thank each and every athlete in this competition for helping us, for coming, for arriving in Sayulita, Mexico and making this a part of your life,” declared ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “This World Championship will be the best in history with the most incredible SUP Surfing, StandUp and Paddleboard Racing competition. The best competitors were here.”
“I hope that when the athletes go home they leave with friendships in the rest of the world and have good memories of Sayulita and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico,” Aguerre proceeded. “I know that some will bring home medals, some will not, but you have to remember, all are winners. These athletes came to Sayulita, represented their country, were members of their National SUP and Paddleboard Team, and did all of this in Olympic Spirit.”
2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Team Standings:
- USA
- Australia
- Hawaii
- New Zealand
- Brazil
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Spain
- Tahiti
- Peru
- France
- Argentina
- Japan
- Canada
- Great Britain
- Italy
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Costa Rica
- Ireland
- Chile
- Venezuela
- Holland
- Barbados
- Switzerland
- US Virgin Islands
- El Salvador
by Chris Couve | May 17, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Racing
SUP, Paddleboard Technical Races Plus Team Relay Finalists Decided for ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri
For daily photos, video highlights and video news releases, click here – http://isawsuppc.com/media/
All-star SUP paddleboarder, Connor Baxter racing for Team Hawaii in the Men’s SUP Technical Race, where he finished second to qualify for the Final. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
The Technical Races and Team Relays began in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico on Day 6 of the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddeboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri.
The Final Day will include the ISA Team Relay Race Final, the Men’s and Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race Finals and Men’s and Women’s SUP Technical Race Finals. The stage is set for a grand finale on Sunday.
First in the water were the Men’s Paddleboard Racers, broken up into two heats where the top 8 advanced. The top Men’s Paddleboard racer was Kai Hall from Hawaii, completing the course in 27:43.
The Women’s SUP Technical Race followed. The top six of the two, 12-women heats advanced to compete again on Sunday. Candice Appleby showed her superior strength above the rest of the competition with a comfortable lead and finished in first place.
South Africa’s Dylan Frick hydrates around one of the beach sprints during the Men’s SUP Technical Race in Heat 2. Dyl finished in 4th position to take him through to finals on Sunday. Photo Credits: ISA/ Reed.
The Mexican crowd made their presence known in the SUP Technical Race as Felipe Rodriguez showed his superb local knowledge of the break and utilized uncanny angles as he approached the beach to catch waves that others could not. Felipe Rodriguez finished first before highly touted athletes such as Hawaii’s Connor Baxter, who finished second. The 12 qualifiers from each heat will merge to make for a 24-man SUP Technical Race Final of epic proportions on Sunday.
The world’s best technical paddleboard racers going full speed ahead while competing in the qualifier for a chance to advance to Sunday’s Final. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
The day closed with exciting ISA Team Relay Race Qualifying Rounds. In the ISA Team Relay Race each team selects a SUP and Paddleboard racer of each gender to form their roster.
The relay was lead by a dominant performance from Team Australia, including Jordan Mercer, Lachie Lansdown, Terrene Black and Toby Cracknell. The Australian team finished ahead of the New Zealand Team with a time of 15:54. The 10 remaining teams that will contend for the Overall Team Gold Medal including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Spain, France, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Mexico and Canada.
Team Australia outperformed the competition in the ISA Team Relay Race and will look to carry that momentum unto the Final on Sunday. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“Today was all about team effort and support, as the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship nears the end. The points are now more important than ever. This is the most competitive SUP World Championship ever,” stated ISA President Fernando Aguerre.
Aguerre continued, “Following all the excitement from the competition, we will hold the Closing Ceremony. As each Gold Medal is distributed, National Anthems will be played, country flags will be flown and cheers around the world will be heard. There is no greater pleasure than to have your hard work pay off and no higher honor than to represent your country with pride.”
The Final Day will include the Men’s and Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race Finals, Men’s and Women’s SUP Technical Race Finals and the ISA Team Relay Race Final. The stage is set for a grand finale on Sunday.
Tomorrow’s live webcast will begin with the Morning Show at 8:30am local time hosted by Beau Hodge, and will feature the host athletes from Team Mexico.
Sunday, 8:30am Mexico City, Mexico
Sunday, 4:30am Los Angeles, USA
Sunday, 1:30pm Paris, France
Sunday, 9:30pm Sydney, Australia
by Chris Couve | May 16, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing
15-Year-Old Izzi Gomez, 25-Year-Old Sean Poynter Showcase Youth Strength for Team USA at ISA World SUP Championships
For daily photos, video highlights and video news releases, click here – http://isawsuppc.com/media/
Team USA’s 15-year-old Izzi Gomez claimed the first ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medal of the day as well as valuable points for Team USA. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
The right-hand break of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico offered consistent surf for the final day of SUP Surfing as part of the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship presented by Hotel Kupuri.
As the women’s Repechage Rounds came to a close, the Final was set and included athletes from four different Nations. Joining the ISA newcomer, Izzi Gomez of Team USA and, 2013 Gold Medalist, Nicole Pacelli of Team Brazil were Spain’s Iballa Ruano and France’s Caroline Angibaud.
The experienced Pacelli looked incredibly strong coming into the Final Round, but it was Gomez that was the favorite regardless of this being her first-ever ISA World Championship.
Gomez wasted no time, and immediately earned wave scores of 7.27 and 5.93 for a total of 13.20. With more than 15 minutes left to go, the American had breathing room and reason to relax. For the rest of the heat the field was chasing her score, but in the end she would not be caught. Gomez won her first-ever ISA Gold Medal and valuable points for Team USA.
American Izzi Gomez came into the final as the favorite to win despite this being her first-ever ISA World Championship. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
“I honestly cannot even believe it right now. I had a lot of nerves this week and was even sick, but with the help of my team I was able to pull through,” said the humble 15-year-old Gomez. “I couldn’t have done it without them. Just knowing that I was here competing for the USA, it gave me more drive and desire to win so I could have the best result for the team.”
On the Men’s side, local SUP surfer Felipe Hernandez of Team Mexico put on a show for the crowd during every heat throughout the day. During the last Repechage Round, with less than a minute to go, Hernandez nailed back-to-back aerials in a single wave. The crowd erupted into cheers as he solidified his place in the final.
Felipe Hernandez of Team Mexico had his local community erupt into cheers following two aerials on a single wave that earned him a spot in the Final Round. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
In addition to Hernandez, the final was set with American Sean Poynter, the Tahitian Poenaiki Raioha and Frenchman Antoine Delpero.
Poynter opened the Final Round with two waves earning an 8.50 and 7.33, which put his competition into a combination situation. Being in a combination situation means that no single wave score would be enough to take the lead.
Sean Poynter put his competition into a combination situation early in the Final Round and ultimately earned the second Gold Medal for Team USA in SUP Surfing. Photo: ISA/Bielmann
It was not until the final minutes that a single score would drop high enough to have any affect on the situation. Poynter had won, and became the first two-time, male ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist.
“This smile says it all. I’m at a loss of words,” said an exhilarated Poynter. “I did the same thing as last year, dropping into the Repechage and doing five heats on the Final Day. My trainers had me fit and ready and I was able to withstand the amount of time and finish strong. I’m just so excited, so happy and thankful to the ISA, the Mexican Surfing Federation and the support of my team. It’s been such an awesome event.”
The beach had exploded with cheers. From chants of U-S-A, to the traditional Mexican chants, the spirit on the beach was that of true international comradery.
“Today’s ISA SUP Surfing World Championship was an event that will be remembered for years to come. The world-class level of competition made for a gripping final, keeping everyone excited until the very end,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We knew what the best days for waves were going to be, so we planned the surf competition accordingly.”
After being carried up the beach on the shoulders of their teammates, Mexico’s Felipe Hernandez (right) and USA’s Sean Poynter gave thanks to everyone in attendance and especially the host country. Viva la Mexico! Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
“What a final! Congratulations to Izzi Gomez and Sean Poynter from Team USA on winning the Gold Medals and making your country proud. That is what an ISA World Championship is all about — honoring the sport, honoring your country,” said Aguerre.
Men’s ISA Worlds SUP Surfing Results:
Gold Medal- Sean Poynter (USA)
Siliver Medal- Poenaiki Raioha (TAH)
Bronze Medal- Felipe Hernandez (MEX)
Copper Medal- Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Women’s ISA Worlds SUP Surfing Results:
Gold Medal- Izzi Gomez (USA)
Silver Medal- Nicole Pacelli (BRA)
Bronze Medal- Iballa Ruano (SPA)
Copper Medal- Caroline Angibaud (FRA)
Tomorrow’s live webcast will begin with the Morning Show at 8:10am local time hosted by Beau Hodge, and will feature the newest ISA Gold Medalists Gomez and Poynter.
Saturday, 8:10am Mexico City, Mexico
Saturday, 6:10am Los Angeles, USA
Saturday, 3:10pm Paris, France
Saturday, 11:10pm Sydney, Australia
by Chris Couve | May 15, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing
Excellence in the Water Continued Thursday During Day 4 of 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri
ATTENTION MEDIA: For daily photos, video highlights and video news releases, click here – http://isawsuppc.com/media/
Brazil’s Nicole Pacelli, 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, advanced through the Main Event Round 3, which puts her in a position to reclaim the Gold Medal on Friday. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
The 2015 Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing Gold Medalists will be decided Friday, May 15 as part of the ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship presented by Hotel Kupuri in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.
Thursday’s SUP Surfing competition included Main Event as well as Repechage Rounds. The Repechage Rounds featured 32 men and 17 women, giving athletes a second chance to go for Gold rather being eliminated after losing in any single round.
Riki Horikoshi from Team Japan cracks the lip at full speed. Horikoshi surfed in today’s Repechage Rounds but will not to advance to tomorrow’s final. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
Team Japan was in full support, waving flags and cheering for their team’s athletes in today’s Repechage Rounds. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
Denmark’s Casper Steinfath has been doing battle in both SUP Racing and SUP Surfing. After placing 5th in the 20Km SUP Long Distance Race on Wednesday, the Danish athlete returned to competition today but was unfortunately eliminated from SUP Surfing following two Repechage Rounds.
Speaking to ISA’s competition format, Steinfath commented, “The ISA’s double elimination system is really unique because everyone gets to surf more than once even if you have a bad heat, like I did the other day. I think it highlights competition from all over the world giving every country a second chance, and it’s fair game for everyone.”
“Today was about inclusion in competition. We saw 49 athletes return to the water in the Repechage Rounds, giving them a second chance to advance and remain in competition. The advancing athletes have now earned spots in tomorrow’s competition, giving them the chance to continue, even if they lose one round,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We have the absolute best athletes in the world here, and we want to ensure they all have an extra chance to earn a Gold Medal for their country.”
Sean Poynter, 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, led the charge for Team USA and will compete for the Gold Medal on Friday when the new ISA SUP Surfing World Champions are decided. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
In addition to the Repechage Rounds, Main Event Round 3 took place for both men and women.
USA’s Sean Poynter was the standout competitor for the men with a 15.60 combined heat score. Poynter, the ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist in 2013, has shown nothing short of excellence in the water, making critical moves on every wave surfed. The American has become the man to beat in any heat.
For the women, the 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, Nicole Pacelli from Team Brazil came out with the best score of 14.00 in total. Pacelli is no stranger to competition and proved that with smart surfing, she picked the best waves in her heat and executed perfect wrapping carves in the pocket.
Mauiki Raioha surfed with power for Team Tahiti. However, following two Repechage Rounds he fell just short of advancing. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
by Chris Couve | May 14, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Racing
USA’s Danny Ching Wins SUP Race, Australia’s Lachie Lansdown Wins Paddleboard Race at 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri
USA’s Danny Ching, crossing the finish line placing first and earning the Gold Medal in his ISA debut in the SUP Long Distance Race. Photo: ISA/Bielmann
Day 3 saw dramatic Men’s SUP and Paddleboard 20Km Long Distance Races at the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) Presented by Hotel Kupuri.
Over 65 of the world’s best SUP and Paddleboard Racers took on the exciting long distance course, paddling four loops with the colorful, coastal village of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, in the backdrop.
The Paddleboard racers line up, waiting to take on the 20 kilometer course. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
The races featured the most elite level of competition this event has witnessed. In a world-class field of competitors from every continent, the Gold Medalists and new World Champions are USA’s Danny Ching and Australia’s Lachie Lansdown in the SUP and Paddleboard races respectively.
Taking over as the pack leader, Javier Jimenez digs deep for Team Mexico in front of his hometown crowd. Photo: Ben Reed
The SUP race was extremely close starting with 15 elite racers leading the pack for the first three laps. Sayulita local, Javier “Bicho” Jimenez, put on an incredible performance, as he was able to overtake the leader, Danny Ching (USA). Jimenez gained a lead of about 100m with the help of a wave he caught rounding the last buoy, causing the local Mexican crowd to erupt in cheers.
The local spectators cheer on the racers from Mexico, who put on an incredible performance. Photo: ISA/Bielmann
With a heroic effort, Danny Ching, who made his first appearance in the ISA competition, broke away from the pack on the final lap to chase Mexico’s impressive racer. Mid-way through the final lap, Ching caught up to Jimenez and overcame him. With precise technical turns on the final buoys, the American solidified his lead as he made his way to the finish line, earning the Gold Medal for USA.
“For a distance race it’s about as exciting as it gets. It’s just incredible to be here. The ISA puts on an amazing event that I’ve been trying to get down to for years,” said the new Gold Medalist, Danny Ching. “Paddling for someone besides yourself is always special. Paddling to represent your country, your teammates, your friends and family back home is a big deal. You can dig deeper for this than you can for yourself.”
Jimenez raced up the beach to the cheers of the Mexican spectators and the international teams. Jimenez’s Silver Medal is the first for the host country in this ISA World Championship.
“I’d like to thank the support from my town and Mexico,” praised Jimenez. “I am very happy to get second place for my country and we are going to bring it all in the Technical Race. The only thing I was thinking with Danny Ching behind me was that he is one of the strongest racers in the world and to keep on paddling. I am happy to have finished behind him. This is one of the best races of my life to date. I am very happy to compete against all of the best athletes in the world.”
The third and fourth place were also highly contested and decided by less than a second. Teammates from newcomer team, Hawaii, Connor Baxter and Zane Schweitzer, overtook multiple competitors after the final buoy turn to take the Bronze and Copper Medals respectively. Click here to see the full results.
The Paddleboard Long Distance Race came down to the final stretch. The pack was tight as they fought to catch a wave into the shore. Lachie Lansdown from Australia paddled the hardest and caught a wave the rest of the pack missed, earning him the Gold Medal. The rest of the medals were decided by a sprint up the beach. USA’s Jack Bark sped ahead to win the Silver Medal and New Zealand teammates, Cory Taylor and Sam Shergold ended in a photo finish, resulting in Taylor taking the Bronze and Shergold the Silver. Click here to see the full results.
Lansdown commented, “It’s very cool to be here for the first time, representing my country. I’m super proud to do that. It was a very cool race and venue. I am looking forward to coming back next year. I think it’s good that all the countries are here and everyone is cheering each other on.”
Completely exhausted, (left to right) Conner Baxter (HAW), Fernando Stella (MEX), Zane Schweitzer (HAW) and Javier Jimenez (MEX) sit together to catch their breath showing the true spirit of sportsmanship at an ISA World Championship. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann
ISA President Fernando Aguerre, impressed by the action, commented, “It is truly amazing to see how far the sport has come in just one year. This year’s level of competition at the ISA World Championship confirms this event as the most elite in the world. Congratulations to the winners and best of luck to all athletes on the rest of the competition.”
On Thursday the competition continues with the Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing Main Event and Repechage Rounds.
Tune in to the live webcast for the fourth day of the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri. The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodge, featuring the two Gold Medalist from the Women’s SUP and Paddleboard Long Distance Races, USA’s Candice Appleby and Australia’s Jordan Mercer.
Thursday, 7:40am Mexico City, Mexico
Thursday, 5:40am Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Thursday, 2:40pm Paris, France
Thursday, 10:40pm Sydney, Australia
Watch the live webcast here – www.ISAWSUPPC.com
