The North Shore Paddle Challenge sets the standard for the Stand Up World Series
Monday 17 October
The North Shore Paddle Challenge is an amazing success
The North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort proved to be a groundbreaking event for the sport of Stand Up Paddle racing, as the foundations have now clearly been set for the 2012 Stand Up World Series.
With 17 WQS events in 14 countries culminating in the prestigious World Championship final to take place right here at Turtle Bay Resort in October of 2012, the Stand Up World Series will now kick of at the Namotu World Paddle Challenge presented by Air Pacific, next month in Fiji.
Kai Lenny reigns supreme at Turtle Bay Resort
In an epic weekend of racing at the North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort, Naish’s Kai Lenny clinched the overall Title of North Shore Paddle Champion for 2011, clearly making a statement as far as his contention for a 2012 Racing World Title to compliment his current Surfing Title.
Racing on the Stock 12′6 class that will be the standard for all Stand Up World Series WQS races, Kai finished in 2nd place in both the Sprint and Long Distance Races
Zane Schweitzer dominates in the surf racing at Turtle Bay
Starboard’s Zane Schweitzer proved that he was not only a force to be reckoned with in racing, but that in any kind of surf racing, he has the skill, surf riding skills and physical condition of a true Champion as he dominated all his heats to win the Sprint course at Turtle Bay Resort.
Overall Champion Kai and Zane were battling it out for the lead through the first lap, and as Kai Lenny chose the inside line, getting caught on the buoy, Zane capitalized and increased his lead to take victory. Congratulations to this young Champion!
Andrew Logreco wins the Turtle Bay to Haleiwa downwind
Unable to make the sprint race due to his lifeguarding commitments, Andrew Logreco arrived at Turtle Bay fired up and ready to do battle. He soon took the lead and powered through to the finish line on a challenging 12+ mile course, finishing first ahead of an impressive line up of athletes, that included recent Battle of the Paddle Champion Connor Baxter, Slater Trout, Kai Lenny and Livio Menelau.
Even more impressive is that he was first to the beach on his 12′6 stock board, with just a 2 minute advantage over the Open Class, and was just 1m.27s behind the fastest time, (achieved by Big Island athlete, Jerry Bess, who won the Open division here at the North Shore Paddle Challenge).
Jerry Bess wins the Open division and Robert Territehau the 14′ class
The Big Island’s Jerry Bess achieved the fastest time of the long distance race on his 17′ Naish raceboard, while in the 14′ class, it was legendary windsurfer and Tahitian wildman, Robert Territehau. A great performance from both these phenomenal athletes.
In the prone division, it was Kai Hall that dominated both sprint and Long Distance, with wins in both, and the overall Title of North Shore Paddle Prone Champion.
You can see the final results for all classes by clicking on the following link: http://www.timelinehawaii.com/Results/NORTH%20SHORE%20PADDLE%20OVERALL%2011.HTM
Mo Freitas excels to win the Overall Youth award
Imagine’s Mo Freitas put on a stellar performance in both sprint and long distance races, finishing 4th in the 12′6 long distance race ahead of fierce competition. This combined with a 7th place in the sprint racing made Mo the Keiki Champion in front of a home crowd.
After winning the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge at Huntington Beach, this 14 year old is on a roll and it seems clear that we can expect great things from this young Champion,
The Women step up at the North Shore Paddle Challenge
In the women’s division, Rachel Bruntsch and Mariko Strickland dominated both sprint and long distance races in the stock 12′6 division, with Mariko winning the sprint race and Rachel the Long distance. This gave them a tie for the Overall Title, as both women share the Title of North Shore Paddle Champions.
In the 14′ class, Halie Harrison stormed to victory ahead of Laura Birse. Great performances from all our women competitors at this prestigious and inaugural North Shore Paddle Challenge.
Watermen step up at the North Shore Paddle Challenge
As if the sprint and long distance races weren’t enough, Kahuku local Noa Ginella and Kaeo Abby chose to compete in the prone paddle division as well in the sprint racing, finishing in an impressive 3rd and 4th places resepctively.
Given that Kaeo Abby finished in 2nd overall behind Kai Lenny and Noa in 3rd, these two athletes are bright lights for the future and certainly names to look out for
Highlights to follow on www.standupworldseries.com
Highlights from the epic North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort will be up online later today at www.standupworldseries.com, so check out history in the making as the first step for the Stand up World Series is put in motion. A big thank you goes out to our sponsors: Turtle Bay Resort, Kona Brewing Co, Mobi Pcs, Puka Patch and Naish International.
Next up, the Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji, presented by Air Pacific: go to http://www.standupworldseries.com/namotu.html for more information, entries and previews of the next exciting chapter of the Stand Up World Racing Series.
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