It’s been a blustery few days here in the Mediterranean while we settled in waiting for the race day to begin. Leaving the rain behind in Portugal (and most of Spain as we drove to the ferry port) we’ve seen glorious sunshine – the threatening thunderstorms managed to stay away and we appear to have finally hit summer weather.
Stop #2 of EuroTour presented by Starboard headed to the island of Mallorca and the stunning Port Adriano. With such a narrow channel of water the Med suffers from a backwash effect, coupled with the large Port Adriano wall protecting the stunning mega yachts, this led to bumpy conditions beyond the wall. Holding on for the promised dropping wind the organizers ran this morning with the Junior distance races, Amateur Warrior divisions all sheltered within the Marina and stunning turquoise waters.
Quique Senra (SIC) dominated the u18 Mens leading the entire field of Juniors and Amateur Warriors alike around the inside course coming in a comfortable minute and a half ahead of Rafael Sirvent.
With the race held to the afternoon, 4pm saw the start of the Elite field. Starting inside the Port – the race saw paddlers head out past the protecting wall and into the open ocean. The lumpy conditions challenged many as racers passed the red cliffs with bumps and backwash sending a few swimming.
Paolo Marconi (RRD) took the win, leading the field from the off but really putting some distance between him and second place Giordano Bruno Capparella (BIC) on the first ocean leg. Second place in Portugal; Branislav Sramek (JP Australia) took an inside line alone for much of the first ocean leg which saw him level with the pack following Paolo. It wasn’t to be as he dropped back rounding the second buoy, and Davide Codotto (3rdBaySUP) took the honors of 3rd to have full Italian colors grace the podium for the men.
Sonni Hönscheid (SIC) made her first appearance on the EuroTour 2016, with cries of ‘it’s like Hawaii’ from the spectators boat as they headed to the ocean; the conditions clearly matched the visual as Sonni fresh from the Island looked comfortable taking line honors for the women.
For full results head over to our Results and Rankings page.
Sunday saw the Red Paddle Co Junior racing with highly contested sprints where all the participants, young and Elite battled in the exciting two buoy course for the delight of the spectators.
For the full gallery of photos, please follow the link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0t1961lgmav8mj0/AACAQGZ0pcgK299x4N__Yxp_a?dl=0
Many thanks to Port Adriano, Municipality of Calvia and Mar Balear SUP Centre for putting on the event. Stay tuned for the video recap of the event coming shortly. See you soon in Saint Maxime, France for EuroTour’s stop #3
