SUP Race Lignano: Defending Champion, new talent to watch and 2027 date confirmed

SUP Race Lignano, Italy’s pioneering heritage race, took another major step forward this year, with both the Technical Race and Long Distance Race becoming official stops on the International Canoe Federation (ICF) SUP World Ranking Circuit.

Organised by Romina Mariotto and Alberto Sammarco, co-founders of The Wild SUP, the event brought around 150 paddlers to the stunning setting of Lignano Sabbiadoro, with racing, atmosphere and a live crowd adding to the energy of this now-established event.

With the 2027 date already announced – 12 September – we caught up with defending champion Daniele Cani, winner of both the Technical and Long Distance races in the Masters category, to look back on his success and what makes Lignano such a special race.

We also caught up with Antonija Frković, a young Croatian paddler who, at just 13 years old, is already competing successfully across youth and open-category racing, with results ranging from regional SUP events to larger international competitions. Her fresh energy and ambition offer an exciting new perspective on this heritage event — where experience meets the next generation of SUP racing.

Antonija Frković, 13, Tech and Long Distance Winner in the U14 Division said:

“For me, the SUP race in Lignano is special because it has a beautiful sandy beach that is great for the beach start, which is one of my favourite parts of the race.

This was my second year here and it was wavy, but that wasn’t a problem for me because I paddle more with my brain than my body. This race will remain in my memory because I got a new NSP board  – Ninja Pro 14×21 – and couldn’t get off it. It’s just perfect! It is very stable and fast. It feels like it’s gliding through the water on its own.

When the board arrived in Lignano and I tried it out, I knew it would be excellent. I had two options for the technical race: ride my old board or take a risk with the new one. But after testing the board, I knew I had nothing to lose. 

I won two gold medals, one in the technical and the other in the long distance. The technical was easy for me; I went relaxed and also tried out the new board. I chased better than myself and finished second of all women, a minute behind Silvia Carletti, and first in my category. It was a very nice race!”

Hi Daniele, welcome back to TotalSUP! You came back to Lignano as the defending champion and managed to do it again – how does it feel to defend your title?

I’m very happy – I really had a great time! Sunshine, flat water, wonderful people, and lots of fun: what more could you ask for?
The organization was impeccable and, with all these ingredients, winning was easy!

So I’m already looking forward to next year! In Italy, we have a saying: “Third time’s the charm!”

Did you approach this race differently knowing you were the one to beat?

Mentally, I approached the race as I always try to approach every competition: challenging myself, having fun, and giving 100%.
During the first timed run of the Technical, while tackling the course toward the right, I felt a slight strain in my groin. In the second timed run, with the course turning to the left, I therefore had to manage the start in a more controlled way.

At that point, I tried to make the difference in the turns and on the accelerations, pushing hard precisely in the sections where I knew I could gain time.

In the end, the combined time from the two runs allowed me to achieve the fastest time in my category and also the fastest overall time. A truly great satisfaction!

As for the Long Distance, I didn’t get off to my usual start… let’s just say my start won’t go down in history! But I stayed calm and focused on the quality of my paddle strokes. Little by little, I managed to work my way up to third place overall, a position I held until the second-to-last buoy.

Then my very dear friend Simone Tugnoli came along and, with great “delicacy”, passed me to take third place overall and first place in my category!

It was still a fantastic Long Distance race, with a really unique course: a beach run and even a passage under the pagoda in Lignano. I love these alternative courses – they make the race much more fun and unpredictable!

To everyone who has never taken part in this race, I have just one thing to say: sign up next year! It’s absolutely worth it… and maybe leave me a little more room at the second-to-last buoy!

What do you enjoy most about SUP Race Lignano?

As I mentioned in my previous answer, I particularly love the Technical time-trial course: first you complete one lap to the left and then one lap to the right. The two times are then added together to determine the final ranking. It’s a format I really enjoy because it tests your technique, concentration, and ability to adapt to the course.

The Long Distance is also very special: it features an alternative course with a beach section and a passage under the pagoda bridge. Right there, on every lap, you can hear the spectators cheering and feel a great connection with the crowd. It’s a feeling that makes the race even more exciting!

The course is 12 km in total, divided into 4 laps, so you get to experience all the most spectacular sections of the course several times. So I’ll finish by renewing the challenge for next year, once again in this historic and spectacular location of Lignano Sabbiadoro!

SUP Race Lignano results can be found here

Follow The Wild SUP x SUP Race Lignano on Facebook and Instagram 

Follow Daniele Cani on Instagram

Follow Antonija Frković on Instagram 

*Images courtesy of SUP Race Lignano