Spain’s Esperanza Barreras made it three women’s long distance titles in a row with a victory on the final day of the 2024 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Sarasota, United States.
Just 24 hours after losing her women’s technical crown to fellow Spaniard Duna Gordillo, Barreras responded superbly at the Florida venue.
Barreras clinched gold in 1:11:50.18 for her third successive long distance title and fourth world crown overall.
Mariecarmen Rivera of Puerto Rico claimed silver in 1:11:54.66, while the bronze went to Juliette Duhaime of Argentina in 1:11:55.86.
Japan’s Shuri Araki gained revenge over France’s Noic Garioud to capture the men’s long distance crown in Sarasota.
After coming up short against Garioud in 2023, Araki ensured he took the top spot this time, winning in 1:05:41.76.
“It’s amazing, finally to get the gold medal,” said Araki, who also finished second to Garioud in Saturday’s technical final.
“These ICF races are difficult. It’s on flatwater which is a big disadvantage for me as I cannot use the wind and waves.
“Also, I’m only 18 so physically I’m still weak. I am happy to win this huge challenge.”
Garioud came second in 1:05:46.13, with Brazil’s Eri Tenorio bagging bronze in 1:05:47.56.
There was also delight for Japan in the men’s junior long distance event as Kotaro Miyahira emerged vicarious.
Miyahira triumphed in 1:06:44.51, beating compatriot Nariakira Shimazu who crossed in 1:06:52.30 for a Japanese one-two. Italy’s Nicolo Ricco won bronze in 1:06:53.18.
Hungary’s Csillag Kocsis backed up her victory in Saturday’s technical final to succeed in the women’s junior long distance.
Kocsis topped the standings in 1:14:00.09 as Italy’s Cecilia Pampinella took silver in 1:14:09.94 and Soryn Preston of the United States sealed bronze in 1:14:15.42.
There was a Dutch double in the masters over 40 long distance races courtesy of victories for Joep van Bakel and Petronella van Malsen.
Van Bakel took the men’s crown in 1:06:52.62 as Argentina’s Francisco Giusti claimed silver in 1:07:23.59 and Spain’s Miquel Roige secured bronze in 1:08:23.59.
Van Melsen came out on top in the women’s race, finishing in a winning time of 1:17:32.24.
Canada’s Ariel Amaral posted 1:17:36.39 for silver, while Argentina’s Juliana Gonzalez crossed in 1:17:42.31 for bronze.
Germany’s Peter Weidert retained the men’s long distance masters over 50 crown in 1:10:15.56.
Weidert got the better of American Steve Miller who collected silver in 1:10:16.43, while Hungary’s Gabor Szabo finished in 1:10:18.51 for bronze.
The women’s long distance masters over 50 title was won by Czechia’s Katerina Trdlova in 1:18:59.74.
The silver medal went to Canada’s Gina di Primio in 1:19:21.18, while Greece’s Penny Tsaoutou bagged bronze in 1:19:24.13.
Andrii Kraitor of Bulgaria capped a fine week in Sarasota with victory in the men’s inflatable SUP race.
The winner of the first-ever 100m sprint title on Friday succeeded again, taking the inflatable title in 33:35.02.
Germany’s Norman Weber claimed silver in 33:49.27, while Japan’s Shimazu completed the podium after crossing in 33:51.47 for bronze.
South Korea’s Sujeong Lim was in impressive form as she swept to the women’s inflatable SUP crown in 37:47.39.
Lim got the better of AIN paddlers Daria Zaitseva and Olga Merkulova who posted 33:20.21 and 39:00.37 respectively for the other two spots on the podium.
The final day also saw recreational races with Chile’s Victoria Landeta and Peru’s Andres Velis claiming the respectivewomen’s and men’s titles.
Kids were also among the participants as they competed for medals in the men’s and women’s U13 and U15 categories.
Japan’s Kurumi Fukai captured women’s U13 gold in 3:20.37 as Greece’s Nikos Farsaris was crowned men’s U13 champion after winning in 2:52.04.
Poland’s Lena Nowak sealed women’s U15 gold in 3:10.62, while Italy’s Serse Sabato won the men’s U15 title in 2:56.75.
All of Sunday's result can be found here.
Pictures by Romain Bruneau.
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