Candice Appleby makes it a clean sweep at the World Series & earns the Grand Slam Title in Huntington Beach
Candice Appleby makes it a clean sweep in the World Series & is Grand Slam Champion
Candice Appleby takes Huntington by storm as she surges to victory in the Long Distance 10km race to take the overall World Series win, but also the Grand Slam Title with a 3rd in the surf and 1st in the race. What an entry to her first Stand Up World Series event here in here home city at Huntington Beach beating current ratings leader Lina Augauitis.
Coming off the back of an awesome surf competition and the win on the sprints yesterday, the 28-year-old Californian Candice was firing on all cylinders as she sprinted off the start line. Getting a great start and making it out through the shore break and Candice found some flat water as she made her way out towards the first buoy, while some of the other female athletes got caught up in the heavy shore break Candice was able to battle out and take the lead.
Round the first buoy she never looked back and went from strength to strength tearing up the field and leaving everyone else behind her. After rounding the beach flag and heading out for her second lap in the lead she was able to use her knowledge of the course to extend her lead.
As she crossed the finish line wining the event the emotion of taking her first Stand Up World Series event was clear to see on her face. A big smile greeted the crowd that lined the finish shoot and Candice will surely be one to watch for at the World Series Finals, a racing format that fits her skill set so perfectly.
Make sure to watch the highlights from the long distance and all of this week’s action by going to: www.watermanleague.com
Angela Jackson edges back into contention for the World Title with a solid 2nd place
As one of the leading figures on the Stand Up World Series, Angela Jackson (Fanatic) finished second overall at the Huntington Beach Pro after a fourth place in the Long Distance. With some tough shore break to contend with Angela was able to use her knowledge of the ocean to full advantage and be in and amongst the leading pack.
However taking some poundings in the dumping shore break in legs two and three was never able to catch Candice in first and fell behind into the chasing pack. However her fourth place was enough to secure second overall and take her battle to be crowned World Series champion, with Lina Augaitis, to the World Series Final at Turtle Bay in Hawaii in two weeks.
Make sure to watch the highlights at watermanleague.com and join us in a few weeks back at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s Fabled North Shore.
Fiona Wylde wows the crowd finishing third overall at the Huntington Beach Pro
Fiona Wylde was full of energy coming off the back of her fourth place finish in yesterday’s Sprint races. The 17-year-old from Oregon took her impressive form from both the Surfing and the Sprint races to finish an excellent Grand Slam event in third position.
A composed youngster, Fiona showed great maturity and ocean knowledge to master the 10km course and keep right on the tails of the top two paddlers. Using her surf knowledge to manipulate the 12’6 board round each buoy turn and catch the bumps on offer on the way into the beach this youngster really is going to be one to watch out for next year. Her strong paddle stroke mean’t she was able to stay ahead of the field and cement third place
Make sure to watch the highlights from the entire Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam by going to: www.watermanleague.com
Lina Augaitis finishes in 4th place overall, but maintains the World Ratings lead
After a disappointing sprint race performance yesterday, Lina Augaitis had the bit between her teeth to show why she is still ratings leader on the World Series. She was clearly pumped up to perform well today as she got off to an impressive beach start through the surf break.
Wearing the yellow jersey she was right on Candice’s tail on the first lap. With her great stamina and athleticism she showed the Huntington Beach crowd just why she is top of the rankings with an impressive paddling display in a format he has had very little training in. Into the third lap she had put clear distance between her and the chasing pack to finish in second place behind Candice.
Watch all highlights, read news and see photos from this dramatic Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam at www.watermanleague.com
Shot of the day goes to this photo of the dramatic long distance start
This shot brings the dramatic nature of the racing this weekend to life and showcases the start of the long distance race. All in all an epic weekend of racing!
Watch the highlights, check out the photos, news and rankings at www.watermanleague.com
Mahalo Huntington Beach for a dramatic week of action to remember
There were so many epic moments from this week’s Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam, that it is hard to do them all justice. But looking back, a few moments really stick out:
- The Conditions: the surf at Huntington Beach this week was flawless, allowing for some of the most progressive and radical surfing ever witnessed in competition
- The Women’s Surf event: pumping surf and some of the most exciting battles we have seen on the Stand Up World Tour, particularly in the closing rounds. The first round performances from Izzi Gomez (Starboard) from the US and Nicole Pacelli from Brazil set a new bar for performance surfing amongst the women. Also it was exciting to see new faces making their presences felt, such as Fiona Wylde from Oregon and Tarryn Kyte from South Africa
- World Series Racing: some of the most spectacular conditions and exciting racing yet on the Stand Up World Series, as the best of the best took on the surf race at the Pier; as Candice Appleby put on a performance to remember to take the win, Angela Jackson (Fanatic) intensified the World Title Race and Fiona Wylde demonstrated herself as a dangerous double threat
- Izzi Gomez (Starboard) wins her first World Title ahead of the Final event in France. A phenomenal achievement from the young talent from Florida as she makes her new home here in California
A big thank you goes out to Starboard, Turtle Bay, Oakley, SoBe, Deuce and all our partners of this year’s Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam, but also to the City of Huntington Beach and its surfers, who so graciously provided us with access to their surfbreak for the week.
Make sure to check out all the highlights, photos, news and much more at www.watermanleague.com, and join us LIVE for the prestigious and climactic World Series Finals at Turtle Bay from the 10th – 12th October on Oahu’s Fabled North Shore.
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