April 29, 2023
by Christopher Parker (@wheresbossman)

World SUP Festival: Noic outlasts Shrimpy, Espe in a league of her own, Alba the dark horse claims second


In brief: Noic Garioud has made it two from two in Europe after coming from behind to defeat dual ISA gold medalist Shuri “Shrimpy” Araki in the most-competitive race so far this season.

Despite stealing the Carolina weekend, the World SUP Festival lived up to its name with an elite field of international athletes that showcased the strength of the French, Spanish and Japanese teams. Indeed, France and Japan had a lock on the top four in the men’s, while in the women’s it was yet another 1-2 finish for Team Spain.

Espe Barreras seems to be playing a game of “Catch Me If You Can” this season. Three straight victories on the Euro Tour, all of which have been backstopped by a compatriot. After finishing ahead of her young Spansh rival Duna Gordillo in the first two rounds, Espe’s closest rival in Santa Pola this weekend was Alba Frey from the Canary Islands — aka SUP Racer’s official dark horse pick for 2023.

Coming home third and breaking the French/Spanish/Japanese dominance of the podium was young Cecilia Pampinella of Italy — another rising star to watch.

More pics over on the Euro Tour insta.

Here are the top 10s…

1. Noic Garioud ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
2. Shuri Araki ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
3. Clement Colmas ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
4. Rai Taguchi ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
5. Bruno Hasulyo ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ
6. Ty Judson ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ
7. Ludovic Teulade ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
8. Donato Freens ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
9. Davide Alpino ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
10. Fernando Perez ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ

1. Espe Barreras ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
2. Alba Frey ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
3. Cecilia Pampinella ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
4. Anna Tschirky ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ
5. Melanie Lafenetre ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
6. Fiona Wylde ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
7. Juliette du Haime ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
8. Mariecarmen Rivera ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท
9. Iona Rivet ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
10. Susak Molinero ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ