Paddle board event news just in from the International Mediterranean SUP Race Bay of St Tropez / May 28-29 2011 St Maxime France
Fantastic event put together by the Cigale Surf Club last weekend in the crystal clear bay of St Tropez France. Over 100 competitors came from all over Europe with even Bart de Zwart the Dutch/Hawaiien coming in from Hawaii.
The team relay was the first race of the day that got everyone fired up. 3 men one woman with adrenaline filled beach transition relay sprint in the sand !!. A great start of the day for Team NIDECKER who finished second.
Fantastic atmosphere on the beach where most of the leading SUP brands presented their range as well as having visitors test boards. To allow the competitors to be in top shape after the grueling relay, the most important race of the weekend; the “BOP style” (4 laps with a beach chicane run on each lap) 7km Elite SUP Race was held just after 4pm. with a beach start, the competitors lined up to the instruction of the beach marshall. Eric Terrien took an great start, to lead the Elite race from start to finish with 1minute 20 seconds lead ahead of the pack. Eric wins the 7km Elite Race with his stock NIDECKER All Water Race 12’6 in 41 minutes 55 seconds.
The 15 kilometer long distance race took place along the St Maxime coastline on Sunday with a 7km upwind buoy and then 7km downwind course to enter the bay with the last kilometer upwind in St Maxime’s center. A great fight between Bart and Eric both on 14′ Race boards, side by side for much of the distance with great sportsmanship from the 2 athletes, the battle was fierce. Bart finally is able to pull ahead and lead the race finishing in 1 hours 38 minutes 56 seconds with Eric close behind and both riders more than 2 minutes ahead of the pack.
Eric Terrien the grand winner of the weekend walks away with the beautifully crafted first International Mediterranean SUP Race trophy. Eric, who by winning the Elite Race and placing second in the 15 km long distance race, leads to win the trophy with 24 seconds ahead of Bart de Zwart !
Nidecker welcomes Oliver Garet who just joined the NIDECKER SUP Team and placed 3rd in the long distance race 12’6 stock class category.
Robert Etienne founder of NIDECKER SUP who just entered the veteran division.. was happy to join in for the team relay helping in the effort to finish second and participated in both the Elite Race 7km and 15 km long distance race. Go Bobby go !!
What a great event and what a fantastic result for Nidecker team once more.