Summary EuroTour SUP 2018: San Sebastian Paddle Tour 2018

The 6th stop of the EuroTour presented by Rogue took place in beautiful San Sebastian, Basque Country from June 9-10th. The event’s third edition saw its biggest participation with nearly 200 entrants making it the most successful edition to date.

The main event of the weekend happened on Saturday morning with a 13km oceanic course that saw a variety of conditions and lived up to the hype. The course started in the beautiful beach of La Concha, right at the heart of the city, in front of the Club Deportivo Fortuna KE home of the organisers..

From there the course headed in front of the city’s port, around the cliff area and out into the choppiest waters, testing the competitors strength and balance skills; this is often the part of the race where the group splits – on this occasion the favorites didn’t disappoint and remained in the lead.

From there the competitors enter the river of Urumea, and under three bridges before looping back out in what is consider the only real rest along the course, before heading out into the ocean. This area however is not exempt from challenges and even though it was high tide (the only time the competitors can safely paddle there) a few of the competitors cut it close to the rocks and snapped some fins.

Once the competitors passed around the jetty of La Zurriola they entered the “best” part of the course for many or the biggest “nightmare” depending on who you asked. Donosti main surf beach had head high waves and an army of surfers who saw the competitors, with 14’ race boards, charge the line-up to the beach twice before heading back out to open waters.

The race was won or lost here, that was everyone’s verdict, as the ones that made it through without a glitch went on to win the race

This proved the case in the Women’s race where World number 1, three times EuroTour champion Sonni Honscheid (Starboard), saw a few competitors wipe out in front of her, who ultimately sent her swimming in the waves. Sonni recovered like the champ that she is but it wasn’t enough and she had to settle for a 2nd place to her team mate. Playing a very smart race and gaining precious ground on the waves French star Olivia Pianna (425PRO) showed her skill and why she has won this event before. Olivia pulled away on the waves and played a really clever strategy around the last chicane before the finish claiming an ever impressive second victory here in San Sebastian.

Behind them the power house, Amercian Fyona Wylde (Starboard) showed why she is regarded as the most complete athlete in the sport, by making the wave part with ease and finishing in a very impressive 3rd place. Amandine Chazot (Starboard) from France showed great consistency after her maiden win in Greece two weeks before and came in 4th place. After her was Spanish power duo of Susak Molinero (RRD/QB) and Laura Quetglas (Starboard/QB) who suffered a bit of a shocker through the waves but finished 6th & 5th respectively. Italian Windurfer Caterina Stenta (RRD) looked solid all the way and finished and impressive 7th. Young talent from Germany Noelani Sach (NSP) was consistent at 8th followed closely by Susanne Lier (F-One/QB) from Germany in 9th . Closing the Top10 was Peruvian talent Giannisa Vecco.

The Men’s race was certainly not free of drama either with a big shake-up in the wave section. Opening the Top10 was French darkhorse Paul-Conrad Delaere that claimed his best result this season in front of most of the worlds best edging out Hawaiian Mo Freitas (Rogue). In 9th place Daniel Hasulyo (Starboard) had a fierce battle with one of Italy’s best Paolo Marconi (RRD/QB) who claimed 8th and finished within the prize money. Another battle all the way to the beach came between New Zealand’s hero, Marcus Hansen (NSP/QB) and Brazilian talent Guillherme dos Reis where the duo sprinted for 7th and 6th respectively. The ever consistent Bruno Hasulyo (Starboard) came in 5th with yet another solid result, gaining valuable points in the EuroTour rankings and now tied with eventual winner of the event. In front it was Italian giant killer Leo Nika(Starboard) who claimed a very solid 4th confirming his top form the last few weeks. Our winner of the first event this season, from France Arthur Arutkin (Fanatic) loves mixed conditions and was virtually in 3rd most of the race finishing just shy of the leading duo. In 2nd place was the always deadly Titouan Puyo (NSP/QB). The New Caledonian was within reach the whole race and unfortunately lost some ground in the wave section, but came back on the last section of the race to almost close the gap.

The man of the moment Michael Booth (Starboard) was simply in a whole another level. Boothy absolutely dominated, through every condition and has yet to lose a race in the EuroTour this year. Often regarded as a flat water paddler, he proved everyone wrong yet again by showing that whether it is waves, downwind, side chop or upwind he is definitely the man to target.

RESULTS SAN SEBASTIAN PADDLE TOUR 2018

VIDEO SAN SEBASTIAN PADDLE TOUR 2018

Info: EuroTour

Photos: @gearogiasphoto