Logbook: Spring SUP Race

The biggest Italian SUP Festival

by Paolo Marconi

After a whole winter spent living and training in Fuerteventura, the time has come to return to the competition fields and start the racing season. However, this time, the long-awaited moment of lining up at the starting line arrived only for Susak, as I was dealing with a rib fracture sustained during the oceanic winter. The injury forced me to take on the role of spectator and coach, offering my support to Susak and the other athletes I collaborate with. The international SUP Race circuit has gathered this time in Comacchio, at the Lago delle Nazioni, for the Spring SUP Race from April 3 to 6. This event is now in its eighth edition and, year after year, it is establishing itself in the international SUP Race scene as a World Cup ICF stop, attracting over 400 athletes from 27 nations. The strength of this event lies not only in its stellar competitive level and large participation, but especially in the fact that it is a true celebration of SUP. Participants can take part in a wide range of competitions in different disciplines, allowing them to challenge themselves and have fun from Thursday to Sunday. The great variety of events is definitely key to attracting athletes and enthusiasts from all over the world, who not only want to test themselves on a competitive level but also want to fully immerse themselves in the SUP community by actively participating in various activities and different competitions.

DAY 1 The Spring SUP Race kicked off with a new event: the Chrono City Race, essentially a time trial on a 500-meter circuit in the heart of the city of Ferrara. This unique competition was limited to 50 athletes competing in the waters surrounding the Estense Castle on one-design boards provided by the organization. Although the event was labeled as a Fun Race, the competitive SUP racers took it seriously and went all in. The winners were both Japanese athletes, Rika Okuaki for the women and Kotaro Myahira for the men. Aside from the competitive aspect, this new type of race allowed the 50 participants from all over the world to combine sports activity with the discovery of a unique and culturally rich location, such as the historic center of Ferrara. A truly spectacular start to the Spring SUP Race.

DAY 2 The second day of the Spring SUP Race saw the athletes compete in the 100-meter sprint races. It was a long, non-stop day of competition with athletes from every category, from under 12 to over 60. This type of race guarantees spectacular performances and thrilling moments from the first heats all the way to the finals. The 100-meter sprint is one of Susak's favorite disciplines, and from the very first heats, she showed excellent form, easily qualifying for the finals and finishing in fifth place in a breathtaking race where the athletes fought for the podium with less than a 3-second margin. Great performances were also seen from the rest of the athletes following the SUP SALIVOLI coaching program: Claudia Luchetta and Verity Thomas climbed onto the podium in the 40+ category, Nicola Volani reached the quarterfinals, and Emanuele Bennato had to deal with side drafts in his first heat. The winners in the Open category were the reigning world champion Andrey Kraytor and Cecilia Pampinella, who won her first Open race after dominating the Junior category for years. After the sprint race, the Foil competition took place. Some pioneers of the sport competed on the same 100-meter course, making their boards fly over the flat water. A new and spectacular discipline that will undoubtedly become increasingly popular in the coming years. Once again, the Spring SUP Race proves to be cutting-edge by bringing the first-ever Foil competition to Italian waters and offering participants many different ways to enjoy the event with board and paddle.

DAY 3 On Saturday, April 5, the athletes competed in what I believe is the most spectacular of the disciplines that SUP Race has to offer: the Technical Race. A 500-meter course with a beach start and 5 buoys to round, to be repeated twice with a beach run during the semifinals and finals. The day started off strong with challenges and surprises from the very first heats. The sun and the large crowd on the shore made the event a true SUP celebration. Susak made her way to the finals with great performances and finished the day in sixth place in a fiercely contested final, won in a thrilling comeback by the very young Csillag Kocsis, who, despite still being a Junior, competed in the Open category. Among the men, the Spaniard Sergio Cantoral triumphed, dominating the race from start to finish. The athletes training with SUP SALIVOLI also delivered strong performances in their respective categories. Nicola Volani, after an exciting battle around the buoys, couldn’t make it past his round but gained valuable experience that will come in handy for the rest of the season. Emanuele Bennato gave us an emotional performance, moving from heat to heat and finishing in ninth place, earning it with determination and impressive maneuvers around the buoys. Among the women, Verity Thomas secured a beautiful third place with a strong comeback, and Claudia Luchetta won the race, dominating the final. The cherry on top of this third day of the Spring SUP Race was the Inflatable Race, where hundreds of athletes from every category started at the same time, a real spectacle on the water that shows how big our sport is becoming.

DAY 4 The final day of the Spring SUP Race began early on Sunday, April 6, with the first starts of the Long Distance race. It was a completely different day from the first three of the event, with a wintery sky and a strong, cool east wind creating a tense atmosphere that hinted at an epic day of racing. The youngest competitors started first, followed by the women and then the men. There wasn’t a category that didn’t face a truly tough race. The first part of the course was on flat water with strong crosswinds, while the second part became even more challenging due to short waves that made it difficult for most of the fleet, forcing many athletes to withdraw. The Long Distance race wrapped up the event in style, showcasing the difficulty and variety of our sport. Susak finished the race in fifth place, paddling courageously and fighting for top positions riding her Sunova FlatWater 14x20. Thanks to her winter training in Fuerteventura, she achieved great results in all three disciplines, proving to be competitive and versatile in a fleet of increasingly fierce athletes. The women’s race was won by Csillag Kocsis after an impressive performance, leading from the start. In the men’s race, Donato Freens took the win in the final stretch after an explosive sprint against the French athlete Ethan Bry. The athletes of SUP SALIVOLI rose to the challenge of such a tough race. Among the men, both Nicola Volani and Emanuele Bennato had to dig deep to push past their limits against the challenging crosswind. Claudia Luchetta capped off the weekend with another decisive win, propelling her into the ranks of the top international athletes in her category.

In summary, we can say that the Spring SUP Cup is truly a celebration of Italian and international SUP. An event like this can only do good for the sports movement, providing an opportunity to unite in a festival where both enthusiasts and competitors can find the best way to express their passion for SUP. Living the Spring SUP Race from the shore, unable to paddle due to an injury, was a different but still stimulating experience for me. Watching my friends and colleagues race and challenge each other until the last stroke was emotional. But most of all, being there for Susak and the other athletes with whom we share training and experiences was inspiring and fascinating. Seeing the smile and satisfaction on an athlete's face after crossing the finish line is truly priceless and makes all the sacrifices made in training, far from the cheering crowds and event spotlights, feel worthwhile. One last thought goes to the organizers who, year after year, have created an event with international resonance that attracts SUP enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate this sporting festival. I can’t even imagine the hard work and pressure involved in managing an event like this, lasting four days with so many participants and activities. Organizing an event of this caliber is an act of love for the sport and a demonstration of passion for SUP. Thanks to Simone, the organizing team, the volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the success of the Spring SUP Race. The Italian SUP community is grateful for what you’ve done!

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