Connor Baxter & Candice Appleby reign supreme in today’s World Series Sprints at Huntington Beach

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Connor Baxter comes out of the gates strong on Day 1 here in Huntington Beach

Current Ratings Leader and yellow jersey holder, Connor Baxter (Starboard) started today as he means to continue here at Stop 4 of the 2014 Stand Up World Series, securing a win on the first day of competition in one of the most exciting Sprint Racing eliminations yet.

A stacked field saw intense heats throughout the day as the athletes battled for position and against the set waves for a dramatic showcase of Stand up paddle racing at its very best.

Connor played it safe through the opening rounds, just making sure he made it to the final. However, once there, it was all out, as his sprinting game and strategic tactics came into play as he was able edge fellow competitors off a set wave that came through on the first inward leg, allowing him and Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) to take the lead.

A battle into the finish then ensued with the Dane Casper Steinfath in the mix too, but a clear shot through the chute to the finish line secured the win for Connor, as Mo stumbled and dropped his paddle, and Casper came off in the shorebreak.

Make sure to check out the highlights from today and join us LIVE tomorrow for the World Series Long Distance, as Connor will be shooting for not only the event win, but the World Title. With 2 wins under his belt, a 3rd win would close the deal for Connor, enabling him to win his first World Title in advance of the Final event at Turtle Bay. Watch the Long Distance all go down LIVE from 12pm tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com

Mo Freitas continues to stamp his mark on the Stand Up Paddle World

Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) is having an incredible event here at the Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam, with a 3rd place finish in the Surfing and now putting on an impressive performance in the World Series Sprints, battling with Connor Baxter (Starboard) until the dying seconds of the final to secure a well deserved 2nd place today.

Given the nature of the Long distance Race tomorrow, Mo has to be considered one of the favorites and is looking strong coming into the second day of competition.

Make sure to watch him in action LIVE tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com

Casper Steinfath puts on a stellar performance in the Finals of the Sprints

Casper Steinfath (Naish) is clearly on a high after winning the European TItle this year and coming into the back end of the season with momentum and confidence. This showed in abundance today, as Casper stepped up to battle it out with the best of the best and come back from behind in the last two legs to battle with Connor Baxter (Starboard) and Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) to the very end.

Casper is a warrior and loves a challenging paddle, so tomorrow’s long distance consisting of 5 laps coming through the surf each lap will suit him well, as he will look to move up in the overall World Rankings in advance of the World Series Finals at Turtle Bay.

Watch Casper in action here in Huntington Beach LIVE tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com from 12pm PST.

Candice Appleby makes her debut on the World Series and makes her presence felt

Fresh off an impressive performance in the Stand up World Tour event this week, Candice Appleby came in today energized and confidant. After dominating her Opening heat, she never looked back and remained unbeaten right up to the final.

The 28 year old Californian showed real knowledge of the shore break to find the best lines throughout the ‘M’ shaped course. Using her strength to the battle through the sets and then making sure she set herself up round the buoys to ride the bumps into the beach.

Despite the phenomenal international athletes from all over the world making up the final, Candice held her own. With some strong sets hitting the beach, right by the pier here at Huntington Beach, she once again showed determination and skill to cut through the shore break and get out into clear water in the leading pack.

After rounding the beach break buoy still right up in the leading Picking up a bump almost straight off the turn back to the beach she was able to break away from the pack and cross the finish line in first place. A fantastic result for the American who will be full of confidence going into tomorrow’s Long Distance race.

Watch Candice LIVE in action tomorrow in the Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam at www.watermanleague.com

Angela Jackson secures a second place in the sprints with her eyes on ratings lead

Angela Jackson (Fanatic) looked confident throughout the opening day, coming off a win in the Chigasaki Pro in Japan last month. Powering through her first heat and coping well with the conditions she was worthy of her place in the finals.

Despite having to play catch up after a heavy start with the dumping shorebreak, Angela was able to catch up and battle her way back into second place behind Candice. This result will be a confidence booster coming into the final day of action here in Surf City USA, as she will be gunning to regain the World Ratings lead after Stop 4 of the 2014 World Series, something she is in a far better position to do after today.

Make sure to join us LIVE from Huntington Beach from 12pm PST tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com

Keale Dorries makes her presence felt once again in Huntington Beach with a 3rd place

Keale Dorries (Starboard) the young Australian was 3rd after showing real composure in the waves and under the pressure of being in this prestigious World Series event.

She was in the leading pack throughout the finals and proved that she has what it takes to take on the best of the best. She held 2nd for much of the race, only to be overtaken by Angela Jackson (Fanatic) on the final leg, but fending off a strong challenge from Oregon’s Fiona Wylde.

Watch out for Keale in action tomorrow right here at Huntington Beach and LIVE online at www.watermanleague.com from 12pm

Na Kama Kai Youth Surfing and the Nations Team Exhibition event to feature in the am

In addition to the Long distance Race that will kick off around 12:30pm PST, we will also be running a Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge tomorrow morning, as well as a unique Nation’s Team Surf event, featuring Teams from Brazil, Mexico, Tahiti, the US, Hawaii and South Africa.

We will be going LIVE from 9:30am PST so make sure to join us at watermanleague.com for an unforgettable morning of action.

Shot of the day goes to this photo of Candice Appleby navigating the HB surf

Make sure to join us LIVE tomorrow for more action from the final day of the 2014 Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam at www.watermanleague.com

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