PRESS RELEASE:
17 Year-Old Tahitian And 20 Year-Old American Gold Medalists Demonstrate The Arrival Of A New Generation In The Sport.
Continuing his stellar performances from the first two days of competition, Tahiti’s Poenaiki Raioha is the new ISA Men’s World SUP Surfing Champion. The 17 year-old earned two impressive scores of 8.93 and 8.57 for a total heat score of 17.50, the highest of the entire event. Photo: ISA/Tweddle and Gonzales.
The SUP Surfing in the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) concluded today and the Gold Medalists were crowned. Tahiti’s Poenaiki Raioha and USA’s Emmy Merrill are the 2014 ISA SUP Surfing World Champions.
The young World Champions, Raioha, who is 17 years-old and the 20 year old, Merrill, who demonstrated the arrival of a new generation in the sport. Merrill made history in the ISA, as the first women in SUP Surfing to win two Gold Medals since the start of the ISA WSUPPC in 2012.
USA’s Emmy Merrill reclaimed her Gold Medal and the World Championship after posting a total heat score of 13.50 in the Final, the second highest score of the event in the Women’s division. Merrill took advantage of the improved afternoon conditions and earned a 5.83 and a 7.67 to become the two-time ISA World Champion. Photo: ISA/Tweddle and Gonzalez.
In one of the most exciting SUP Surfing days in history, the world’s best took advantage of La Boquita’s great waves. The surf condition improved with the best and biggest waves on the Final Day. Contest organizers decided to take a break during the mid-day low tide to allow for optimal conditions during the finals, and the decision paid off, as the action was non-stop in the Grand Final with excellent rides and scores.
“What an incredible day!,” said an excited ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The level of the final top guys and girls was very intense and very good. We waited for the better conditions by taking a break in the middle of the day and the waves improved and the wind calmed down for the finals.
What a final! A 20 year-old from California and a 17 year-old from Tahiti won the Gold Medals. It’s really a big deal as it shows the coming of a new generation.”
The first Grand Final in the water was the Women’s SUP Surfing, where USA’s Emmy Merrill reclaimed her Gold Medal and the World Championship after posting a total heat score of 13.50 in the Final, the second highest score of the event in the Women’s division. Merrill took advantage of the improved afternoon conditions and earned a 5.83 and a 7.67 to become the two-time ISA World Champion.
“I’m over the moon! It was awesome two years ago to claim the title in the first event and I was stoked about it,” said Merrill. “Last year I couldn’t come back because I was busy with school. I was hoping it wouldn´t be too much pressure on myself to try reclaim the title, but I’m so happy I did.”
The Silver Medal went to France’s Caroline Angibaud (9.27), Bronze to Australia’s Shakira Westdorp (9.23), and Copper to Spain’s Iballa Ruano (5.28).
France’s Silver Medalist Caroline Angibaud. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales
Next up was the Men’s SUP Surfing Final, the most entertaining heats of the entire contest. Continuing his stellar performances from the first two days of competition, Tahiti’s Poenaiki Raioha is the new Men’s World SUP Surfing Champion. Raioha earned two impressive scores of 8.93 and 8.57 for a total heat score of 17.50, the highest of the entire event. The 17 year-old Tahitian kept great composure at such a young age and handled the pressure of his fellow competitors well. The Tahitian was patient and waited for the best waves of the heat and his strategy resulted in a Gold Medal.
“I’m really happy. This is my first participation in an ISA World Championship, and to be the first one, I’m very stoked!,” said Raioha. “I needed big waves to apply big maneuvers so I was waiting for the right wave to have a good result. When I learned to surf I started with a shortboard, then I moved to a longboard and after, my father introduced me to SUP, and ever since, I’ve been practicing every day after school with my father and my grandfather.”
The Silver Medal went to Australia’s Jackson Close (14.17), Bronze to France’s Antoine Delpero (14.17), and Copper to USA’s Sean Poynter (11.07).
Australia’s Silver Medalist Jackson Close. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle
For the full results click here
The 2014 ISA WSUPCC will move back to Granada for the SUP and Paddleboard races on Lake Nicaragua. Wednesday will be a transition day and no races will take place. All the action begins with the Technical and Relay Races on Thursday followed by the Women’s Long distance Race on Friday, the Men’s Long Distance Race on Saturday, and the Technical and Relay Race Finals, and Closing Ceremony on Sunday.
Stay tuned and watch the live webcast starting back on Thursday- http://isawsuppc.com/live/
Men’s SUP Surfing Results:
Gold Medal- Poenaiki Raioha (TAH)
Siliver Medal- Jackson Close (AUS)
Bronze Medal- Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Copper Medal- Sean Poynter (USA)
Women’s SUP Surfing:
Gold Medal- Emmy Merrill (USA)
Silver Medal- Caroline Angibaud (FRA)
Bronze Medal- Shakira Westdorp (AUS)
Copper Medal- Iballa Ruano (SPA)