Holly Pye - APP London
Blue Ewer in Poland
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The distance was delayed on the day due to the conditions , but finally , it was called . Many decided not to go out , and many did not finish , but again , we had some incredible results from the team . Paddling through the shore break and straight out 2km with a huge swell and washing machine conditions was not for the faint-hearted . The results could not have been more exciting with a GOLD for Marie , SILVER for Sarah and top 20 finishes for our other paddlers . Big up to young Molly McKibben , who was 13th in the juniors . For the ladies in the team who got on the water , but especially Holly , who finished and came 13th , it meant a third-place podium in the Team Distance . Even if you have a DNF , just getting on the water means points for the team – happy days !
With over 100 heats in the Tech racing , a cheeky dip and sandbar at the start meant many faceplants in the heat of the moment . A 1km course with seven buoy turns , again won and lost with falls on the course and tight , tight racing in the last 10 metres in the water and sprint up the beach . Team members , families and supporters were there to cheer on the UK paddlers and again , we had a cracker . SILVER for Marie , BRONZE for Sarah , Holly thirteenth , Emily 15th , Will third in the B final , Molly 8th in the B and a superb second place for the women in the Team Tech !
We loved our first ICF event ; super organised and friendly , and SO many paddlers from across the world to meet and chat about all things SUP racing .
LONDON SUP OPEN
A completely different event due to a date and venue change and less than 500 paddlers . Two paddlers invited by the APP World Tour organisers to participate had to pull out at the last moment , which was incredibly sad for Sonya Brotherton and Emily Evans . Excellent representation , though , from Blue Ewer , Hector Jessel , Holly Pye and Molly McKibben .
The Sprints were held at Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre on the Isle of Dogs , and with four buoys over a 300-metre course , it was more of a sprint tech race . A sitting start created more drama and stacked heats with the likes of Connor Baxter , Itzel Delgado , Arthur Arutkin , Daniel Hasulyo , April Zilg , Espe Barreras and younger guns Rai Taguchi , Christian Anderson , Shuri Araki , Juliette Duhaime and Caroline Kuntzel .
Lung-busting , fast and furious racing , with most paddlers completing at least three heats , and the nearer the finals got , the more intense the racing . This event has separate podiums for the sprints and distance , with overall champions crowned on combined scores – so much to play for .
Marie Buchanan in Poland
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