Spain’s Alba Alonso Frey swept to a hat-trick of titles at the International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Cup in Agios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Crete.
Frey came out on top across the long-distance, technical and sprint categories in what was a perfect weekend for the Spanish paddler.
The three-day event was the final chance to secure ranking points from the 2024 ICF SUP World Ranking Series.
It was also an opportunity for paddlers to boost their seeding for the ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota in November.
A total of 170 paddlers from 17 countries participated in the technical event in Agios Nikolaos.
Frey emerged victorious in the women’s event, proving too strong from start to finish.
Home paddler Kyriaki Logotheti came second with Katniss Paris of the United States sealing bronze.
Andrii Kraitor of Bulgaria had led the way only for a slip to open the door for Great Britain’s Blue Ewer.
The British paddler seized his opportunity to take the victory as Greek pair Anastasios Tsouris and Phaedon Doukas placing second and third respectively.
Kraitor recovered from his fall in the men’s technical final to capture the men’s sprint title in impressive fashion.
The Bulgarian star powered to victory in 38.686, seeing off Lithuania’s Vadim Korobov who claimed silver in 40.353.
The bronze medal went to Doukas who crossed the finish line in 40.573.
Frey backed up her technical success with victory in the women’s sprint after finishing in 48.094.
Poland’s Marta Apanasewicz impressed to take silver in 49.841, while Greece’s Logotheti overcame American paddler Paris to seal bronze in 50.066.
Frey completed her golden hat-trick with a brilliant triumph in the women’s long-distance final.
Logotheti secured silver, while Paris bagged bronze.
There was delight for the Greek fans on the final day of competition as Tsouris struck men’s long-distance gold.
Ewer, the men’s technical champion, claimed silver, with Doukas clinching bronze to join compatriot Tsouris on the podium.
Attention now turns to the ICF SUP World Championships which will be staged in Sarasota from November 19 to 24.
Pictures by Alex Macheras
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