The very best stand up paddlers from around the globe, including World and European champions, are among entries for the 2019 ICF world championships in Qingdao, China, later this month.
Australia’s Michael Booth, Germany’s Sonni Honscheid, France's Olivia Piana and Americans Fiona Wylde and Connor Baxter are among the international stars who will be racing for world title glory in China. More than 100 athletes from all over the globe have already registered, with entries still open.
Booth and Wylde will both head to China full of confidence after their wins at the ICF SUP World Cup in Germany last month. Booth is a two-time world distance race champion and has also been Euro tour champion twice.
Fiona Wylde had a major breakthrough in her sup racing career in 2016 when she won her first world title, and has been firmly lodged in the top three ever since. Her battle with Honscheid was a highlight of the German world cup, and has set the scene for what should be a gripping women’s race in China.
Honscheid is a stand-out performer in women’s stand up paddling. She is a six-time world champion and six-time European champion, and has also triumphed on the tough European tour twice.
Baxter will be looking to add the ICF SUP world champion title to an already golden resumé. The 25-year-old has dominated the Pacific Paddle Games since its inception, is a two-time sup athlete of the year, holds records all around the world and also held the title of fastest paddler on the earth.
"I can’t wait to get to China for this event," Baxter said.
"I’ve already looked over the course maps online, and am very impressed. I’ve registered for all the divisions and am looking forward to a great event.
"I’m looking forward to testing my skills competing against the best of the best."
Baxter has been competing against the world’s elite for more than a decade, and paddles more than 70 kilometres every week in training. It’s the sense of community in the sup racing world that keeps him motivated, and the dream of getting the sport into the Olympics.
"My long terms goals are to stay fit and at the top level for when SUP makes it into the Olympics," he said.
"Since I first started sup racing a lot has changed. For starters, it was mostly downwind races for the first few years on big, unlimited boards. Now we are basically racing wherever there is water, no matter what the conditions, and using 14 foot boards."
The 2019 ICF stand up paddling world championships will be held in Qingdao, China, from October 24-27. Along with sprint, technical and long distance races, there will also be an inflatable race as well as juniors and masters events.
More information and entry forms can be found at the ICF event website.
Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Brigitte Henriques: “The important thing is that the women who are elected should be chosen for their ability, not because we are looking for modernization in terms of gender”
“When I was a girl I couldn’t find a club to play soccer in because most of them didn’t work with women,” Henriques tells Around the Rings during an in-depth interview in Crete, Greece.
![Brigitte Henriques: “The important thing](https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/ER7B73EJN5HYDPY7AUWPBQLYZI.jpg?auth=18efdfe533702de7a25d62e3ac90553fd0931fc1f86523d67679b1c2514577ce&smart=true&width=350&height=197&quality=85)
The Hula Report: Winds of Change for ANOC in Crete
New leaders coming for peak Olympic group. Whether other candidates emerge in the months ahead, a contested election for the ANOC presidency will be a first for the organization.
![The Hula Report: Winds of](https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/PCF3WFEGR5AV5EHK6T7Y4YTO5E.jpg?auth=c1774e5d70584e6bb0e41bbfbb55e5d1f67a279045d8f7581250d2a1c43cb5f2&smart=true&width=350&height=197&quality=85)
Gilles Gilbert Gresenguet, presidential candidate for AFCNO: “We must take advantage of Paris 2024 to bring the Olympic Games back to French”
The elections take place November 18, and Abakar Djermah Aumi, president of the Chad Olympic Committee, is also aiming to win them.
![Gilles Gilbert Gresenguet, presidential candidate](https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/XEVRDOYFCRCURN4NL2TEEEA4AQ.jpg?auth=53a8cd23b4dc3b5923aa7f2ebaac9abc55a566d39fd08feee6509489a9499460&smart=true&width=350&height=197&quality=85)
USOPC announces 613-member 2020 U.S. Olympic Team
![USOPC announces 613-member 2020 U.S.](https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/XE226GCH45F6NEDX5G3HHKIZVM.jpg?auth=0453a4cb84449723c6a5f7ec4467876391a427b0da797bbc3dcc27d7ef235a51&smart=true&width=350&height=197&quality=85)
Roger Federer pulls out of Tokyo Olympics: "I am greatly disappointed"
(ATR) Federer cites "a setback with my knee" for the decision.
![Roger Federer pulls out of](https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/PWLAQVD2E5DLHENKP5GY2CDCWA.jpg?auth=e7b0c7fec201ca07e2ed3089d6297505889c2a7e370adc6bc07d4c14108ab8ee&smart=true&width=350&height=197&quality=85)