Full Report: Day 7 Sprints at the ISAs 2018

Team Brazil’s Arthur Santacreu and South Africa’s Tarryn King respectively charged to victory earning the Men’s and Women’s SUP Sprint Gold Medals at the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in Wanning, China. The USA only won 2 bronze medals  and Australia only 1 in the Sprint Races,  the USA built upon their lead with five medals remaining to be awarded.Team New Zealand jumped up into the third position with Trevor Tunnington’s Silver Medal, closley trailed by Team France and Spain.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

After a morning of Quarterfinals and Semifinals at Shenzhou Peninsula, the Men’s SUP Sprint Final featured Arthur Santacreu (BRA), Connor Baxter (USA), Kenny Kaneko (JPN), Trevor Tunnington (NZL), Noic Gariou (FRA), and Claudio Nika (ITA).

Brazil’s Santacreu, who earned the SUP Sprint Bronze in 2017, continued his string of first place finishes through the qualifying heats and didn’t let up in the Final to earn the Gold.

“I am so grateful,” said Santacreu. “All my training worked really well.My team knows how to encourage me. Their support fully played a part in my Gold Medal.”

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

New Zealand’s Trevor Tunnington followed with the Silver, USA’s Connor Baxter with the Bronze, and France’s 16-year-old Noic Gariou with the Copper. Notably missing from the Final was Denmark’s 2017 Men’s Gold Medalist, Casper Steinfath, who just missed out qualifying for the Final by three tenths of a second in the Semifinals.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

The Women’s SUP Sprint Final finished off the day of action, with France’s 2017  silver medalist Amandine Chazot matching up against Italy’s Caterina Stenta, USA’s Jade Howson, South Africa’s King, Australia’s Terrene Black, and Japan’s Yuka Sato. King’s performance is the first-ever SUP Gold Medal for South Africa and comes just over a year after giving birth and returning to an elite level for SUP Surfing and Racing. King’s husband Thomas celebrated on the beach with their 1-year son.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

King built a decisive lead and crossed the finish line in first place to the cheers of her team on the beach. “I’ve put in a lot of time and a lot of training,” said King. “I am so stoked. To win Gold in the Sprints is a dream come true.

It’s been quite a journey from giving birth to being World Champion. I stayed fit during my pregnancy and once I gave birth, I bounced back quite quickly. I really focused on coming to compete in the ISA and it all paid off.”

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

Silver, Bronze and Copper positions were too close to call with the naked eye, but upon further review Italy’s Stenta prevailed with the Silver, USA’s Howson with the Bronze, and Australia’s Black with Copper.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

Results

Mens Finals

1. Arthur Carvalho Santacreu
2. Trevor Tunnington
3. Connor Baxter
4. Noic Garioud
5. Kenny Kaneko
6. Claudio Nika

With only two days remaining in the event, the SUP and Paddleboard Distance Races and Team Relay will round out the event, determining the 2018 Team World Champion.