Dramatic Racing on Day 1 of the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay sees Kai Lenny & Fiona Wylde victorious
Kai Lenny is victorious on Day 1 of the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay
Kai Lenny (Naish) storms to victory here in the Stand Up World Series Finals Long Distance race. On Day One of the final event on the Stand Up World Series calendar the fleet had to battle through some heavy surf conditions on the start line at Turtle Bay. With athletes pushed to their limits having to use their knowledge of the ocean to punch through the on coming sets and get out past Kawela Bay.
They then used the trade winds to head south towards the finish line at Halewia, running parallel past some of the best surf breaks in the world along the North Shore of Hawaii. Today tested paddling ability to the max, not only contending with the 13 mile course but also the conditions and paddlers used them to their advantage to show their true waterman ability. The tough course provided the perfect platform to show just how testing this sport is and just how good a waterman you need to be to race in these conditions.
Watch the highlights online now at: www.watermanleague.com
Fiona Wylde puts on a spectacular performance in the long distance today
Coming off the back of an impressive performance in Huntington Beach, Fiona Wylde continues to turn heads as she dominates the women fleet here in Hawaii.
Choosing to head straight through the surf break from the start line at Turtle Bay she was able to cut the most direct line and made great use of the bumps on offer to break away from the chasing pack. Right on her tail though from the start was Angela Jackson (Fanatic).
The two of them within meters of each trying to out gun and push out ahead and assert their authority on the race but each time one would catch a bump and look to get ahead the other would find a wave and be right with her. It was a game of cat and mouse as the two athletes gave it everything through the first 10/11 miles. At this point Angie was in the lead and made a decision to choose the outside line to try and catch the swell heading around Puaena Point and towards the finish line.
Fiona chose to stay on the inside and this played to her advantage. She was able to avoid the outside sets and catch one of the smaller inside waves helping her to battle into the headwind which had picked up blowing straight down from Halewia, making the final push to the finish line just that bit easier.
Angie had to contend with the full force of Mother Nature and got caught up. Fiona then was able to really pull away for the first time in the race and didn’t look back crossing the finish line in first place
Make sure to watch the highlights and join us tomorrow LIVE from Turtle Bay at www.watermanleague.com
Riggs Napoleon steps up on Day 1 of the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay
Riggs Napoleon (Naish) puts on a stellar performance today, obviously feeling at home in the wild conditions on tap today on Oahu’s fabled North Shore. The battle between the top 4 was intenese, and despite falling back a little through the midway point of the race, Riggs turned it on in the last leg, catching the top 3 with a phenomenal ride that allowed him to breaking away to take the lead coming around Puena Point.
However wave selection paid of for Kai Lenny (Naish), allowing him to take back the lead and take the victory, but with the young Napoleon right on his tail. A phenomenal day for RIggs and a sure sign of things to come from this Hawaiian talent.
Make sure to watch the hightlights online now and join us LIVE from Turtle Bay from 12pm HST tomorrow (Sunday) for the World Series Sprints at www.watermanleague.com
Angie Jackson puts a stamp on Day 1 with a solid 2nd place finish in the long distance
Angie Jackson (Fanatic) from Australia started her campaign off well today, posting a solid 2nd place finish in the long distance, having battled with Fiona Wylde for much of the race to finish in runner up by the end.
However, coming into the Final day, this will stand Angie in good stead as her target remains well and truly fixed on the World Championship crown.
Make sure to watch the World Series Sprints go down LIVE tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com from 12pm HST
Mo Freitas posts another strong finish here on Day 1 with a 3rd place in the distance
Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) continues his incredible roll this past few months with another strong finish today in the long distance of the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay, presented by Naish and Oakley.
Battling with Riggs (Naish), Kai (Naish) and Jake (Fanatic) for the entire race, Mo took the lead on multiple occasions, switching out with the Top 4 for one of the more exciting long distance races yet. In the end, Mo was to finish in 3rd place today, which stands him in good stead going into the final day of competition tomorrow from 12pm HST at Turtle Bay.
Join us LIVE for the World Series Sprints @watermanleague.com
Sonni Honscheid’s time in Maui pays off with a solid 3rd place finish today in Oahu
Sonni Honscheid from Germany finished third in some of the most challenging conditions female paddlers have seen all year.
Spending a fair amount of time in similar conditions on Maui really showed as her strong paddle style and technique meant she was able to cope with the conditions and use them to her advantage, feeling quite at home in the open ocean conditions.
Watch out for Sonni in action tomorrow LIVE from Turtle Bay from 12pm HST at www.watermanleague.com
Jake Jensen leads for over half the race, but loses steam in the last half to finish in 4th
Jake Jensen (Fanatic) started off strong today, determined to put on a repeat of his last year’s victory at the Turtle Bay Finals. He led for well over half the race, but then the battle intensified between the leading pack, with Jake coming up short in the end, having to settle for a nonetheless impressive 4th place.
Watch out for Jake tomorrow as he takes on the best of the best at Turtle Bay for the World Series Sprints in front of the Point Sunset and Pool Bar LIVE at www.watermanleague.com
Titouan Puyo feels at home in the open ocean conditions to secure a 5th place
A rising star in the Stand Up Paddle World, Titouan Puyo (Starboard) from New Caledonia has made his presence felt this year, and here in Hawaii, it was no difference, as clearly loved the opportunity to paddle some solid downwind conditions.
His 5th place today will set him up well for tomorrow’s sprints as he will set his sights on the podium here at the 2014 World Series Finals at Turtle Bay, presented by Naish and Oakley.
Make sure to watch it all go down LIVE at watermanleague.com
Oahu’s Fabled North Shore proves itself to be the ultimate equalizer once again
Oahu’s North Shore once again proved to be the star of the show, as it provided an incredible challenge for the athletes today with a mix of large surf, downwind and flat water conditions, as the World’s best made their way down Oahu’s infamous coastline from Turtle Bay to Haleiwa.
Make sure to join us LIVE tomorrow for the World Series Sprints from 12pm HST at www.watermanleague.com, as the 2014 season comes to a close in style here at Turtle Bay Resort.
Na Kama Kai Youth Clinic brings the Ocean Sports community together at Turtle Bay
The Waterman League and Na Kama Kai came together today at Turtle Bay to celebrate Ocean Sports education and experiences for Oahu’s youth, with a special Clinic held in the protected waters at Kuilima Cove.
With kids as young as 4 years old taking part, today’s clinic provided a unique opportunity for the attending kids to have access to the mentorship of amongst Hawaii’s most celebrated Waterman. From Founder Duane DeSoto, to top North Shore Surfer Flynn Novak (Chance’em) and the ever colorful Kainoa McGee, the Na Kama Kai program brings the accrued knowledge to one place for extremely special moments for all.
A big Mahalo to Na Kama Kai, Chance’em, Turtle Bay and all our volunteers and make stay tuned for highlights from today’s Na Kama Kai at www.watermanleague.com
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