Reigning world champion Esperanza Barreras of Spain showcased her speed and endurance to claim two titles at the SUP Alps Trophy THE LAKE ROCKS in Villach, Austria.
Barreras and Bulgaria’s Andrey Kraytor were the winners of the speed competition which featured as part of the festival for the first time, as the SUP Alps Trophy season begins.
A total of 155 paddlers competed in the event with Barreras and Kraytor emerging victorious from the respective women’s and men’s races.
There was also delight for Kraytor in the men’s inner-city race held on the opening day of competition as he defended the title while Switzerland’s Sabine Fischer won the women’s event.
International Canoe Federation SUP World Ranking Event points were on the line in the long-distance and technical races.
Barreras dominated the long-distance race, demonstrating great strength and endurance to come out on top.
She triumphed by more than four minutes over Juliette Duhaime of Argentina and last year’s champion Claudia Postiglione of Italy to claim her second gold of the week.
“The competition here and especially the location are simply extraordinary,” said Barreras.
“I can only invite everyone to experience this atmosphere live.
“These are my first titles here in Villach but certainly not the last.
“I’ll be back and bring even more people to the SUP Alps Trophy THE LAKE ROCKS”
The men’s long-distance title went to Dutch paddler Donato Freens after getting the better of Australia’s Michael Booth and France’s Vaic Garioud.
“Lake Faak offers such calm water conditions that there are actually very few opportunity to tell the difference,” said Freens.
“It was clear to me that it would come down to a sprint at the end and so I just tried to be at the front from the beginning.
“Michael Booth was my great role model from an early age and the fact that I was able to keep up with him today and even defeat him in the final sprint makes me incredibly happy.”
The fourth and final day saw champions crowned in the technical races.
Duhaime produced a brilliant performance to take the women’s title, overcoming Postiglione and Taryn King of South Africa.
Filippo Mercuriali rose to the occasion to secure the men’s technical race crown after mastering the 600-metre course.
Argentina’s Santino Basaldella came second with Booth finishing third.
It capped a fantastic four-day festival on the beautiful Lake Faak and Drau River as more than 500 athletes from 24 nations participated.
Pictures by @supalpstrophy photographer Andy Klotz Photography
The next ICF World Ranking Event will be held in Falkenberg, Sweden when it stages the Baltic Skrea Beach Paddle Race from August 9 to 11.
Registration is open for all the events giving paddlers the chance to excel on the global stage.
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