South Africa’s Kira Bester and Portugal’s Bernardo Pereira conquered the Madeira challenge as they swept to victory in the first leg of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Series.
Bester and Periera were triumphant on Portuguese waters as they got their World Cup campaigns off to flying starts.
A strong field of home paddlers took to the startline with Pereira, the reigning men’s U23 world champion and senior world bronze medallist, coming out on top.
Pereira struck men’s surfski single gold in 1:15:19.60 as he led the way for Portugal who impressed on home waters.
Marin Lanee of France was the only non-Portuguese paddler in the top five as the Frenchman came second in 1:15:50.07.
The bronze medal went to Portugal’s Mateus Ornelas in 1:20:04.94 as compatriots Joao Santos and Celio Alves came fourth and fifth, respectively.
“The race was good,” said Pereira.
“We had good downwind for 99 per cent of the race.
“A little bit of upwind in the end but it was part of the race, and it was not really something that would ruin an hour of perfect fun, so we had perfect conditions.
“We had awesome support from the organisers.”
There was also delight for reigning world champion Bester who proved too strong in Madeira.
The South African star pulled away to win the women’s SS1 crown in 1:21:29.83.
Great Britain’s Rosemary Edwards sealed silver in 1:26:30.03 as bronze went to Portugal’s Carlota Duarte in 1:40:35.24.
The top five also contained South Africa’s Julia Williams and Portugal’s Rafaela Costa.
Bester said: “It’s been absolutely amazing here, the community and the logistics have been so, so smooth.
“The conditions were surprisingly good. It was forecasted to be relatively flat but there was some wind out there and the current ended up moving in the same direction as well as the swell so we had quite a bit of assistance.
“We would have loved to have had more people there but it was still very fun to be able to race against people like Rosie.
“She races back home with me so I can see how hard she trains and the amount of effort she puts in. It’s really great to see her on the water with me.
“Overall, the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup has been really good.
“It’s my first time here since the World Championships and I would highly recommend it to everyone. I will definitely be back next year.”
The programme in Madeira featured the short race and short race relay with paddlers in the open category completing a 5km course at Calheta Bay.
It was a format which went down well with paddlers, with Pereira among those to speak highly of the race.
“It was the first time I had participated in the short race and I think it’s good for the public as it is just in front of the beach and everyone can see what is happening during the whole of the race,” said Pereira.
“I look forward to racing more in this format so I can improve my ability in short distances.
“Overall, it has been a perfect weekend.”
Emanual Silva, the Olympic silver medallist in the men’s kayak double 1000m from London 2012, also participated in the short race in Madeira.
“This Madeira Ocean Racing Challenge is a big event,” said Silva.
“I come from sprint but for ocean racing this is one of the best.
“I did the short race, the one new event which was really fun.
“I hope more athletes will come next year and support ocean surfski.”
The next ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup will be staged in Tahiti, French Polynesia from July 31 to August 2.
The ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Series will also feature stages in Fortaleza, Brazil and Reunion, France.
Click here for all the results from Madeira
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