Mo Freitas & Angela Jackson dominate on Day 1 of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro, Japan
Mo Freitas storms to victory here at Day 1 of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro Japan
History was made in Japan as World Class competition met the shores of Chigasaki Beach for the first ever World Challenger Series event in Asia. With strong 20 mile per hour winds and some wind blown surf to make the course more interesting, the scene was set for the World Series Sprint Racing on Day 1 of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro presented by Noah Nic and Jeep.
From the outset, Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) was looking strong, playing in the surf on the legs towards shore and powering out through the surf to the outside buoys on the way out.
Charging his way through the heats, it wasn’t until the final that he put it all on the line, as he burst out of the gates and took the lead off the start, only increasing his lead through smart surfing on the two inward legs to take the well deserved win on Day 1 of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro presented by Noah Nic and Jeep.
He will now rest and prepare for what will be without doubt a challenging long distance race tomorrow in the hopes of securing the win at this groundbreaking event in Japan.
Make sure to stay tuned for highlights from today’s action and for tomorrow’s long distance racing, with live updates on the World Series Facebook page and much more at www.watermanleague.com
Toby Cracknell proves himself a real threat on the global stage here in Japan
Toby Cracknell (Naish) is no longer a dark horse: he has been out here in Japan for a month now and is looking so comfortable surfing the wind blown bump, something that he took to full advantage in today’s sprint racing, cruising his way through the rounds to make the final.
Once there, like Mo, Toby shot off the start and was able to make it to the first buoy in 2nd and then make headway on the downwind legs through the surf to solidify his position and take 2nd in today’s racing.
A great performance from the young Australian talent as he cements himself as a real threat on the global stage and will be looking to consolidate on this not only in the long distance tomorrow, but also as we look ahead to the 1st stop of the US Trilogy in Huntington Beach in September.
Make sure to stay tuned to www.watermanleague.com
Beau O’Brian comes from behind to take 3rd in the World Series Sprint Racing
Beau O’Brian (Starboard) looked solid all day today, and dominated his way through the preliminary rounds to make it all the way to the Final.
Despite getting pushed back to 4th on the first 3 legs, rounding the final buoy, he was able to navigate the bump to overtake fellow Aussie Paul Jackson (Fanatic) in a dramatic final surge and secure 3rd in the sprint racing today.
Watch out for Beau tomorrow in the long distance as he will be looking for redemption over the Top 2 to secure a strong result her at this historic event in Japan.
Paul Jackson pushes to the end here on Day One of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro
Paul Jackson (Fanatic) put on a valiant performance in the final heat of the day, powering his way through the course and sitting in 3rd rounding the final buoy. Unfortunately for Jacko, he got caught in a flat spot and fell victim to the last minute surge from Beau O’Brian (Starboard), who was able to capitalize on a bump to slip into 3rd, forcing Jacko to settle for 4th for today.
However, tomorrow is another day and Jacko will be looking for redemption…..stay tuned for the culmination of this incredible event in Japan at www.watermanleague.com
Chase Kosterlitz powers back on the final 2 legs to finish in 5th place today
Chase Kosterlitz (Bic SUP) looked strong through the day as he progressed through the rounds to the final, but had a rough first half of the course, fighting his way back on the second and third legs to round the final buoy and power back into 5th place today.
Chase will be looking forward to the distance race tomorrow, with distance being his forte, as he will be looking to improve on his overall position coming into the final day of action.
Make sure to stay tuned to the Stand Up World Series Facebook page and to www.watermanleague.com for highlights and the latest from the Shonan Chigasaki Pro presented by Noah Nic and Jeep.
Angela Jackson dominates the women’s fleet to take the Sprint win today
he wind started to pick up even more but despite this Angela Jackson (Fanatic) showed just why she is one of the best paddlers in the world as she stormed to victory in the Women’s Sprint races.
Fresh from training in similar conditions in Maui,
Angie dominated the women’s division and won all three heats. The Australian was strong on the beach starts and tore through the 25mph winds, smashing the upwind sections in front of the pack.
She showed great control to master the surf break buoy turns and pick up the bumps into the beach for the sprint finish up the beach. Ange made what was a really challenging course look easy and will be confident of making it two bullet wins ahead of the Long Distance race tomorrow.
Make sure to stay tuned to www.watermanleague.com
Takayo Yokoyama makes the home ground proud with an impressive 2nd place
Takayo Yokoyama (Noah Nic) the local Japanese paddler finished in second place. Racing at her home break, Yokoyama, was consistent and finished with three second places, braving the challenging conditions to finish runner up to Angela Jackson in all 3 heats.
Make sure to stay tuned to www.watermanleague.com to see what happens right here at the 2014 Shonan Chigasaki Pro presented by Noah Nic and Jeep.
Ashton Woods puts on a valiant performance in today’s sprint racing action
In third place was Ashton Woods (Starboard) from Australia who finished in third place. After having a tough first heat, Ashton proved she is a tough paddler both mentally and physcially to complete the next two heats and finish in third place in the challenging conditions on tap.
Ashton is a stong paddler and with more experience in the surf racing, Ashton has real potential to make her presence felt on the global racing scene. Stay tuned for more from Ashton and the athletes tomorrow as we prepare for a full day of action with the long distance racing.
Japan sees a hotbed of talent step up to do battle at Asia’s first international event
With a solid field of local athletes showing up to do battle here in Chigasaki, the local contingent did not disappoint, as two of Japan’s finest made it all the way to the Finals here at the Shonan Chigasaki Pro presented by Noah Nic and Jeep.
An enthusiastic crowd cheered on their hometown favorites with fervor, as the future of Stand Up Paddling looks not only secure, but exciting.
Stay tuned as we look towards our US events in September and an increasing Japanese (and Asian in general) presence on both the Stand Up World Racing Series and Surfing Tour.
Chigasaki provides a fitting challenge for the world’s elite, but also Japan’s best
After conditions that tested some of the best riders in the world here on the beach at the Shonan Chigasaki Pro over 100 athletes tackled the 25mph on-shore winds which created some breath taking racing for the enthusiastic crowds here in Japan.
With the winds predicted to lighten the organisers will make a final call on the Long Distance course tomorrow.
Whatever happens the organisers will put on a challenging Long Distance course so stayed tuned to www.watermanleague.com and Facebook for all the highlights from the today’s Sprint races, as well as all the updates and results from Day 2 of the Shonan Chigasaki Pro in Japan.
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