The beautiful Greek island of Crete is ready to stage back-to-back events in the International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Ranking Series.
A total of 210 paddlers from 23 countries have arrived on the island for four days of pulsating SUP action.
Sitia will host the first event of the mouthwatering double header with paddlers competing in sprint and technical races on May 1 and 2.
Attention will then turn 66km along the west coast to Agios Nikolaos which will stage technical and long-distance races on May 3 and 4.
It promises to be a memorable four-day festival of paddling with competition taking place at two magnificent locations.
“It’s double the excitement,” said Mikhalis Farsaris, Head of the Host Organising Committee for Sitia and Agios Nikolaos.
“It’s the first time we’ve had back-to-back events on the island so it will have the feel of a World Championships with four successive days of competition.
“Races will take place in two locations, making it fascinating for everyone competing.”
A stellar field of paddlers is poised to take to the crystal-clear waters including reigning world champions Andrii Kraitor of Bulgaria, Katniss Paris of the United States and Shuri Araki of Japan.
Other notable names include Mariecarmen Rivera of Puerto Rico, Blue Ewer of Great Britain, Donato Freens of the Netherlands and Csillag Kocsis of Hungary as well as a strong Greek contingent featuring the likes of Kyriaki Logotheti, Phaedon Doukas and Anastasios Tsouris to name just a few.
It will be extra special for organisers in Agios Nikolaos as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of playing host to an ICF SUP World Ranking Event.
“Agios Nikolaos means Saint Nicholas, and with his blessing and our efforts, it has become known worldwide in the SUP community,” added Farsaris.
“To establish ourselves on the international circuit like this has taken a lot of effort.
“It hasn’t come easily.
“We have contributed a lot to the national and international scene, helping to promote our sport both locally and globally.
“Now we are getting a lot of Greek paddlers on the podium, so I am very proud of this growth.”
Noemi Horvath, Chair of the ICF SUP Committee, said: “Agios Nikolaos has always been and continues to be a magnificent location for our events.
“It’s fantastic return to Agios Nikolaos again as it marks its 10th anniversary.
“With Sitia also providing a superb course for Stand Up Paddling, these two events offer great opportunities for athletes to produce amazing times on the beautiful Crete waters.”
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