The traditional Australasian American battle was expected to resume in the women’s final, although it wasn’t certain how legendary Australian Ironwoman of the 90’s, Karla Gilbert, would fair in her new board sport. Board choice proved to be key for New Zealander Armstrong who impressively strung the field out. Sales of the 12’6 Ace appear to have had a resurgence again after the Kiwi’s outstanding win. Enter the Europeans.
While only one was able to separate the AustroAmerican axis in the technical with Olivia Piana in second, the distance was another story with three of the top four women Euro paddlers. The now legendary Olivia Piana taking second followed by Laura Garcia and Manca Notar in third and fourth respectively).
Onto the men’s distance and big guns were wheeled in with a late arrival of some very wide shoulders but more vertically challenged legs! Boothy arrived apparently only temporarily downing his ski blades for his SUP equivalent, almost immediately jetting back to Oz for the world famous Dr Ocean Ski race in Perth. With the trade winds due to kick in mid to late afternoon the distance race was due to start at 8am, sharp. As an event organiser there are many things I wish I had control over and a God like hand akin to King Canute is unlikely to reveal itself to me in controlling conditions on the day however, starting on time is the least which can be done. With the combined effect of Fiji time an ebbing tide the men were sent out into the teeth of one of the biggest tides of the year during the so called ‘super moon’. The net result was that the women’s distance finished only two minutes behind their male counterparts!
