Titouan Puyo of France Prevails and Repeats in Men’s Division
Annabel Anderson of New Zealand – Five-time winner of the West Marine Carolina Cup Graveyard Race – Courtesy of Samantha Black
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC – “Winning once is hard, performing and winning consistently over time is just plain difficult,” said New Zealander Annabel Anderson in a recent interview. Achieving the near-impossible, Anderson earned her fifth-consecutive victory in the 7th Annual West Marine Carolina Cup, the world’s largest gathering of professional and amateur standup paddleboard athletes.
“I executed exactly what I wanted to do and opened up the after-burners at the 2-hour mark,” said Anderson, the top-ranked and fastest woman in the world, leaving her competitors minutes behind at the finish. “I am extremely grateful to be back and able to challenge for number five.”
Titouan Puyo of France – Two-time winner of the West Marine Carolina Cup Graveyard Race – Courtesy of Karen Pennington
Titouan Puyo of France, ranked fifth in the world, captured his second men’s division title with a repeat performance from 2016. Puyo’s endurance was surprising considering a 24-hour missed flight delay in Philadelphia, arriving on-site the evening before the race.
With 10 to 20 mph winds, 2 to 4 ft seas, flowing tidal inlets, and choppy flatwater, the 13.2-mile Graveyard Race, already one of the most challenging professional-division courses in the world, was even more grinding and grueling in 2017.
Ranked tenth in the world, North Carolina’s April Zilg placed fourth in the Graveyard elite women’s competition.
“Every year this race is different,” said Anderson. “It’s got a bit of everything to test our entire skill set. That’s what makes it the Carolina Cup. The Graveyard Race is one of the classics.”
13.2-mile Graveyard Race (Elite Professional Division)
Top-10 Women:
1. Annabel Anderson, New Zealand
2. Fiona Wylde, OR, USA
3. Olivia Piana, France
4. April Zilg, Wrightsville Beach, NC, USA
5. Seychelle Hattingh, FL, USA
6. Lena Ribeiro, Brazil
7. Penelope Strickland-Armstrong, New Zealand
8. Susak Molinero, Spain
9. Hannah Hill, OR, USA
10. Lexi Alston, CA, USA
Top-10 Men:
1. Titouan Puyo, France
2. Travis Grant, Australia
3. Georges Cronsteadt, Tahiti
4. Steeve Teihotaata, Tahiti
5. Connor Baxter, Hawaii
6. Vinnicius Martins, Brazil
7. Kelly Margetts, Australia
8. Josh Riccio, HI, USA
9. Rete Ebb, Tahiti
10. Danny Ching, CA, USA
Starting line at the 2017 West Marine Carolina Cup Graveyard Race – Courtesy of Laura Glantz
Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association, the West Marine Carolina Cup is a key stop on the World SUP Tour. All races, clinics, demos, plus the expo and trade show originate at host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach.
Annabel Anderson (center) congratulates 2nd place Fiona Wylde (far left) – Courtesy of deRosset Gordon
The 2017 Carolina Cup itinerary, April 18-23, includes the renowned World SUP Tour Graveyard Race, a demanding and grueling 13.2-mile ocean and flatwater race; the 6.5-mile Money Island Open Race; the 3.5-mile Harbor Island Recreational Race; the 9-mile, 6-person Outrigger (OC-6) Blockade Runner Flatwater Race; the new 4-person SUP Dragon World Series; and a popular Kids Race for children 7 to 14. Competitors include Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, amateurs, and first-time paddlers.
Titouan Puyo (right) congratulates 2nd place Travis Grant – Courtesy of Laura Glantz
Contact:
Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-1835
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com
Robert B Butler
www.RBButler.com
www.NCPressRelease.org
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