The iconic Carolina Cup returns for its 12th annual edition next week. Carolina has been one of the biggest race on the international calendar for the past decade, and this year it looks like we’ll have an intriguing battle between several of the world’s strongest women.

The biggest news is that young Spanish star Duna Gordillo will skip week three of the Euro Tour to compete against a handful of America’s all-time finest including Candice Appleby, April Zilg and Seychelle, while on the men’s side three-time champion Michael Booth might just be in a league of his own.

Unfortunately, many of the top guys will be at the World SUP Festival in Spain after an inexplicable clash of dates left the international field splintered. But in a refreshing twist, that means the women’s race at Carolina should be more competitive than the men’s.

(Though we’ll still be missing Espe and Fiona who are both racing in Spain.)

Carolina is a bloody tough race. At 13 miles (21km), the infamous “Graveyard” course has claimed many an ego over the years. It’s probably the best all-round test of a paddler’s ability with ocean, flat, wind, waves and tidal currents all factoring into the result.

So can Duna rediscover the strength that produced gold in Puerto Rico six months ago? Or will the veterans use their experience and wisdom to keep the kids at bay?

The battle in Wrightsville Beach is on Saturday 29 April…