March 11, 2022

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA, USA – The International Canoe Federation (ICF) announced it has teamed up with the USA’s Carolina Cup as part of the ICF world series. Carolina Cup will double as an ICF ranking race for standup paddleboard technical and long-distance racing in the open class.

“Since 2015, the Carolina Cup has rightly been considered as one of the world’s premier standup paddleboard events,” said Hoichan Kwon, ICF’s SUP coordinator. “Carolina Cup will attract many of the world’s best paddlers, so we’re thrilled to be giving these athletes an opportunity to book their tickets to our world championships.”

Under a memorandum of understanding, athletes competing in the Carolina Cup will have a chance to pre-qualify for the main draw of this year’s ICF world championships in Gdynia, Poland, avoiding the pre-event preliminary qualifications.

One of the world’s largest and most prominent paddle sporting events, the Carolina Cup returns to Wrightsville Beach, April 27-May 1, 2022. The Cup is a five-day festival of clinics, product displays, demonstrations, and competitions, including six nail-biting races featuring amateur and professional athletes in paddleboard, kayak, surfski, and outrigger canoe. Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club, all activities are at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

“We have an exciting event calendar lined up for this season, and now the Carolina Cup will take it to another level,” Kwon said.

The Carolina Cup will kick off the ICF’s 2022 world ranking series. Athletes will then head to Thun, Switzerland, for the opening ICF world cup, followed by Prague, Salzburg, and Budapest.

“Teaming up with the ICF is a perfect fit,” said Mark Schmidt, Carolina Cup race director. “With the International Canoe Federation’s long-established base in paddle sports, we look forward to being the first stop on the ICF point series that qualifies for the ICF championships.”

Carolina Cup is the only North American location on ICF’s SUP calendar.

The SUP world cup planned for Moscow has been canceled, according to the ICF.

2022 Carolina Cup Races:

The Graveyard Elite Race – A challenging 13.1-mile ocean and flatwater race for the elite and professional paddleboard racer. The Graveyard Race begins in the ocean surf, circumvents Wrightsville Beach, passes through two inlets, and tests the skills and fitness of each athlete with every surf, ocean, flatwater, wind, tide, and competitive condition of the day – including the best paddlers in the world.

The Graveyard Surfski, Outrigger, and Kayak Race – A 13.1-mile elite race on the Graveyard course, starting and finishing on the sound side and circumventing Wrightsville Beach. Kayak; surfski (single and double), outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

The Technical Sprint – A dynamic short course of fast-paced SUP sprints, into-and-out of the surf with buoy turns testing the skills and speed of participants. The elimination and repechage formats provide dramatic action for athletes and spectators while allowing the best to rise to the top.

The Money Island Open Race – A 10-kilometer inland waterway and islands race with currents and winds, but no ocean swells. Designed to challenge the intermediate to advanced paddler on paddleboard (standup and prone), kayak, surfski, and outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

The Harbor Island Recreational Race – A 5-kilometer flatwater race in the inland waterways for first-time to intermediate paddleboarders (standup and prone). There are currents and wind, some boat traffic, no ocean swells, and mostly no-wake zones – an excellent opportunity to get on a board and enjoy the water.

The Kids Race – A fun event for children 6 to 14, one and two-loop course races on the sound. Everyone is recognized!

Preceding the Carolina Cup, April 22-24, Wrightsville Beach will host the 2022 Carolina Pro-Am SUP Surf, a three-day paddleboard-surfing event drawing the world’s best professional and amateur athletes in the sport.

The 2022 Carolina Cup is presented by Kona Brewing Company.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com 

Hoichan Kwon

International Canoe Federation

SUP Coordinator

Permission granted for redistribution – photo credits required

#ICF #InternationalCanoeFederation #CarolinaCup #WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WBPC #AprilZilg #DannyChing #GraveyardRace #BlockadeRunnerResort #SUP #Paddleboard #OC1 #OC2 #OC6 #Surfski #Kayak #ProneSUP #OutriggerCanoe #StandupPaddleboard

November 8, 2021

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – Ranked second in the world in women’s standup paddleboard, North Carolina’s April Zilg overcame punishing weather conditions and captured both the Graveyard Race and APP Sprint titles in the 2021 Carolina Cup.

“It feels absolutely amazing, like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders,” said Zilg. “Ten years ago, I didn’t even finish the race. So, I vowed to stick with something until I could master it. This is the tenth anniversary of that race. It’s an amazing feeling to stay focused and see it through.”

California’s Danny Ching picked up his fourth Graveyard crown in the men’s division after a string of victories in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Ching won the race by more than two minutes, with racers facing brutal 30-40-mph headwinds on the final stretch.

Connor Baxter of Hawaii navigated the weekend’s 4-10-ft. seas and gale-force winds, followed by a 50-yard dash to the finish line versus Denmark’s Christian Anderson, to snag the men’s ocean sprint title.

After the final race, the weekend’s Deep Atlantic low weather system continued to move farther out to sea, revealing a bit of blue sky with slowly improving wind and sea conditions to come.

The Carolina Cup will be the only official Association of Paddlesurf Professionals event in the world in 2021. The “Cup” featured seven races, accommodating skill sets from beginners to pros, all based at Blockade Runner Resort in Wrightsville Beach.

More race results:

The Graveyard Race (distance race for elite and professional paddlers)

Male Division Winners:

1. Danny Ching, CA, USA

2. Titouan Puyo, New Caledonia

3. Tommy Buday, Canada

4. Shuri Araki, Japan

5. Connor Baxter, Maui, HI

6. Itzel Delgado, Peru

7. Daniel Hasulyo, Hungary

8. Kaelan Lockhard, Australia

9. Tyler Bashor, CA, USA

10. Arthur Arutkin, France

Female Division Winners:

1. April Zilg, NC, USA

2. Kimberly Barnes, FL, USA

3. Okuaki Rika, Japan

4. Juliette DuHaime, Argentina

5. Kattie Carpenter, Grand Rapids, MI

6. Wendy Tillett, Quebec, Canada

APP Ocean Sprints (sprint race for elite and professional paddlers)

Male Division Winners:

1. Connor Baxter, Maui, Hawaii

2. Christian Anderson, Denmark

3. Arthur Arutkin, France

4. Casper Steinfath, Denmark

5. Josh Riccio, Maui, Hawaii

6. Shuri Araki, Japan

7. Itzel Delgado, Peru

8. Rai Taguchi, Japan

Female Division Winners:

1. April Zilg, Lake Hyco, NC

2. Rika Okuaki, Japan

3. Giannisa Vecco, Peru

4. Juliette DuHaime, Argentina

5. Caroline Kuntzel, Denmark

Money Island SUP 14’

Male Overall Winners:

1. Steve Phillips, Wilmington, NC

2. James Nickerson, Lender, TX

3. Austin Winkler, Charleston, SC

Female Overall Winners:

1. Jenna Blackburn, Wilmington, NC

2. Kristin Thomas, Laguna Beach, CA

3. Stella Gan, Canada

Harbor Island SUP 14’

Male Overall Winners

1. Jeff Berry, Rochester, NY

2. Steve Johnston, Wilmington, NC

3. Don Finn, Walls, NJ

Female Overall Winners

1. Rachel Cantore, Bluffton, SC

2. Karin Helfmann, Atlanta, GA

3. Brittany Carey, Annapolis, MD

Six-person Outrigger Canoe

Male OC-6 Team

1. Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club  

2. National Capitol Area Outrigger Canoe Club, Washington, DC

3. Charlotte Outrigger Canoe Club, NC

4. National Capitol Area Outrigger Canoe Club, Washington, DC

Female/Male OC-6 Team  

1. Kent Island Ocean Canoe Club, Chester, MD

2. Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, Wrightsville Beach, NC

3. Wrightsville Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, Wrightsville Beach, NC

4. National Capitol Area Outrigger Canoe Club, Washington, DC

The APP is recognized and sanctioned as the official world championship tour for standup paddling by the International Olympic Committee’s Federation for Surfing Sports and the International Surfing Association.

The 2021 Carolina Cup was organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and presented by Kona Brewing Company.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com 

Holly Mawdsley
Director of Communications
APP World Tour / Waterman League
P: +44 7580 779 536
E: Holly.mawdsley@appworldtour.com 

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

Permission granted for redistribution – photo credits required

#APPWorldTour #CarolinaCup #WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #APP #WBPC #CasperSteinfath #AprilZilg #DannyChing #ConnorBaxter  #GraveyardRace #BlockadeRunnerResort #SUP #Paddleboard #OC1 #OC2 #OC6 #Surfski #Kayak #ProneSUP #NourishNC #OutriggerCanoe 

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – “The Carolina Cup is the only official Association of Paddlesurf Professionals event in 2021,” said Tristan Boxford, CEO of the APP. “This event will feature both distance and sprints with APP prize money. However, due to extraordinary circumstances, we are not moving forward with a World Tour this year.”

The APP is recognized and sanctioned as the official world championship tour for standup paddling by the International Olympic Committee’s Federation for Surfing Sports and the International Surfing Association.

The Carolina Cup is a four-day festival of events featuring seven races, seminars and clinics by the pros, product exhibits and demonstrations. Ideally located with both oceanfront and soundside beaches, all races and activities start and end at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the official resort of the Carolina Cup. Activities begin on Nov. 4 and conclude on Nov. 7.

Ranked second in the world in women’s standup paddleboard, North Carolina’s April Zilg announced plans to compete in the Carolina Cup’s brutal 13-mile Graveyard Race in Wrightsville Beach. “I have plans to race in November,” said Zilg. “It's one of the biggest races in the world and one of the hardest courses.”

“The [Graveyard] race is unique, taking you through both ocean and Intracoastal waters, navigating two inlets, battling tides, and entering and exiting through the surf,” said Zilg. “It’s an excellent test of a paddler's all-around skills, and mother nature doesn't always play nice. Outside of some of the dedicated surf-zone races, the Graveyard Race is up there for difficulty, especially if you end up battling a stiff tide. It's also a half-marathon distance, so the grind is real.”  

Other early entrants include Casper Steinfath, the reigning World Champion in the men’s division. Growing up in a fishing village in Denmark, Steinfath developed a passion for water sports before he could walk, riding on his dad’s surfboard. Now 28, Steinfath is one of the best water sports athletes, having won numerous victories and championships during his career.

In 2020, Steinfath was the first to standup paddle solo across the Skagerrak, the 130-kilometer stretch of treacherous water dividing Denmark from Norway.

French paddler Arthur Arutkin, ranked second in the world, and New Caledonia’s Titouan Puyo, ranked seventh, have signed up for the competition – with many more to come.

Seychelle Webster, the reigning World Champion in the APP women’s division, will attend the Carolina Cup and plans to offer clinics, be available for demo days, and assist during the Kids Race. “I do not plan on racing this year,” said Seychelle. “The Carolina Cup has always been one of my top priority races for the year. But currently, my top priority and most exciting challenge is that I am pregnant. So, that is my focus for this year, and I will not be competing.”

“Competing or not, this week in Wrightsville is going to be so much fun,” added Seychelle. I’m really excited to see and catch up with everyone and to support the APP and the Carolina Cup despite all the world challenges.”

Races on the Carolina Cup schedule include:

–The Graveyard Race (APP distance race) – A brutal 13.1-mile ocean and flatwater race for the elite and professional paddleboard racers, beginning and ending in the surf on the beach; standup paddleboard or prone.

–The APP Sprint – A dynamic short course (300m) with elimination format racing (pro and amateur) that provides dramatic action and a spectacle like no other, allowing the best to rise to the top.

–The Money Island Open Race – A 10-kilometer flatwater race designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler, standup paddleboard, prone, kayak, surfski, outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

–The Harbor Island Recreational Race – A 5-kilometer flatwater race for first-time to intermediate paddleboarders; standup paddleboard; prone.

–The Graveyard Surfski, Outrigger, and Kayak Race – A 13.1-mile elite race starting and finishing on the sound side, circumventing Wrightsville Beach, kayak; surfski, outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

–The Three Island Challenge – Start to finish on the sound side, this 9-mile race is for six-team ocean canoe crews (OC-6) male, female, and mixed-gender teams. The race circumvents the marshes and undisturbed islands and lowlands behind Masonboro, Money, and Harbor Islands.

–The Kids Race – For children 6 to 14, one and two-loop course races on the sound.

The Carolina Cup is organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and presented by Kona Brewing Company. The designated charity for the Carolina Cup is Nourish North Carolina, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide healthy food to hungry children, enabling them to succeed in the classroom and their communities.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

Holly Mawdsley

Director of Communications

APP World Tour / Waterman League

P: +44 7580 779 536

E: Holly.mawdsley@appworldtour.com

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA – “The Carolina Cup is the only official Association of Paddlesurf Professionals event in 2021,” said Tristan Boxford, CEO of the APP. “This event will feature both distance and sprints with APP prize money. However, due to extraordinary circumstances, we are not moving forward with a World Tour this year.”

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and presented by Kona Brewing Company, the Carolina Cup is a four-day festival of events featuring seven races, seminars and clinics by the pros, product exhibits and demonstrations, commencing Nov. 4 and ending Nov. 7. Ideally situated with both oceanfront and soundside access, all races and activities are based at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the official resort of the Carolina Cup. 

Races on the Carolina Cup schedule include:

-The Graveyard Race – A brutal 13.1-mile ocean and flatwater race for the elite and professional paddleboard racers, beginning and ending in the surf on the beach, standup paddleboard or prone.

-The APP World Tour Sprints – A dynamic short course (300m) racing that provides dramatic action and a racing spectacle like no other. The elimination format provides a great opportunity for all Racers and allows the best to rise to the top. Pro and Amateur eliminations will be held on Sunday

-The Money Island Open Race – A 10-kilometer flatwater race designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler, standup paddleboard, prone, kayak, surfski, outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

-The Harbor Island Recreational Race – A 5-kilometer flatwater race for first-time to intermediate paddleboarders; standup paddleboard; prone.

-The Graveyard Surfski, Outrigger, and Kayak Race – A 13.1-mile elite race starting and finishing on the sound side, circumventing Wrightsville Beach, kayak; surfski, outrigger canoe (OC-1 and OC-2).

-The Three Island Challenge – Start to finish on the sound side, this 9-mile race is for six-team ocean canoe crews (OC-6) male, female, and mixed-gender teams. The race circumvents the marshes and undisturbed islands and lowlands behind Masonboro, Money, and Harbor Islands.

-The Kids Race – For children 6 to 14, one and two-loop course races on the sound.

The designated charity for the 2021 Carolina Cup is Nourish North Carolina, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide healthy food to hungry children, enabling them to succeed in the classroom and their communities.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

Holly Mawdsley

Director of Communications

APP World Tour / Waterman League

P: +44 7580 779 536

E: Holly.mawdsley@appworldtour.com

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

Permission granted for redistribution

#APPWorldTour #CarolinaCup #WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #APP #WBPC #MichaelBooth #AprilZilg #Seychelle #FionaWylde #SonniHönscheid #GraveyardRace #BlockadeRunnerResort #WorldPaddleAssociation #SUP #Paddleboard #OC1 #OC2 #OC6 #Surfski #Kayak #ProneSUP #NourishNC #Paris #GranCanaria

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA, USA – With near-perfect weather and racing conditions, Germany's Sonni Hönscheid and Michael Booth of Australia successfully defended their championships in the punishing 21-kilometer Graveyard Race at Carolina Cup in Wrightsville Beach. Both plan to go for three in a row in 2020.

“Yesterday was stormy, wavy and crazy out there. I got up this morning, looked outside and the conditions were glassy with light offshore winds and beautiful little waves, the complete opposite," said women's champion Hönscheid. "With the change in conditions, I chose to use the Sprint, the flatwater board from Starboard, which turned out to be a good choice. I didn’t have such a good start, but from there I made ground on the girls and kept up a good pace. It was a hard stretch on the ocean to the finish line.”

“It was a tough race, but a lot better than last year," said Booth. "It was a very different field with a really hard pace all the way. I got down and had to play it tactically smart, and I’m very happy with the win. It feels fantastic. The off-season has been really hard. I’ve been training and focusing on a back-to-back win. I’m over the moon.”

“To win the Graveyard Race again was unbelievable. I’m super stoked," said Hönscheid. "It’s a great feeling, especially with such a great community cheering you on and sharing a love for the sport and the ocean. To win in such a great environment with so many nice people is a double victory.”

Total registrations for Carolina Cup, including the Graveyard Race, increased over last year, according to Mark Schmidt, Race Director. The sport is organizing and maturing; industry segments are now working together; and, paddle racing is increasingly a multi-generational family sport, according to Schmidt. 

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association (WPA), the 9th annual Carolina Cup was the first SUP race of the 2019 Qualifier Series, a newly formed partnership by the WPA and Association of Paddle-surf Professionals (APP). Competitors in the Carolina Cup had the opportunity to earn points to qualify for the APP World Tour and World Championship. All races began and ended at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, official resort of Carolina Cup.

A partial list of winners:

The Graveyard Race – SUP

Men’s Overall Elite (13-miles / 21km)

1st: Michael Booth (2:03:01) Australia

2nd: Bruno Hasulyo (2:03:23) Spain

3rd: Daniel Hasulyo (2:03:54) Spain

4th: Georges Cronsteadt (2:05:11) Redondo Beach, CA

5th: Titouan Puyo (2:05:33) New Caledonia

6th: Enzo Bennett (2:05:53) Redondo Beach, CA

7th: Ty Judson (2:06:21) Australia

8th: Travis Grant (2:06:34) Hawaii, USA

9th: Mo Freitas (2:08:03) Hawaii, USA

10th: Keoni Sulpice (2:09:24) Tahiti

Women’s Overall Elite (13-miles / 21km)

1st: Sonni Hönscheid (2:22:15) Germany

2nd: April Zilg (2:25:45) NC/CA, USA

3rd: Jade Howsan (2:27:13) Laguna Beach, CA

4th: Fiona Wylde (2:27:28) Hood River, OR

5th: Laura Quetglas (2:27:47) Spain

6th: Kimberly Barnes (2:27:48) Hobe Sound, FL

7th: Stephanie Shideler (2:27:55) Long Beach, NY

8th: Yuko Sato (2:28:30) Japan

9th: Siri Schubert (2:33:24) Switzerland

10th: Maddie Miller (2:34:41) Jupiter, FL

The Money Island 10km Race – SUP 14'

Money Island Men's Overall (6-mile / 10-km)

1st: Vincent Goyat (1:01:44) Tahiti

2nd: Steve Phillips (1:06:10) Surfside Beach, SC

3rd: Scott Baste (1:06:21) Florida Keys

Money Island Women's Overall (6-mile / 10km)

1st: Lizi Ruiz (1:12:41) Miami Beach, FL

2nd: Gina Di Primio (1:15:55) Ontario, CA

3rd: Tracee Van Brunt (1:17:41) Sayville, NY

The Harbor Island 5km Race – SUP 14'

Harbor Island Men's Overall 14' (3-mile / 5km)

1st: Adrian Barnett (41:56) Hendersonville, TN

2nd: Matt Kenney (42:06) Raleigh, NC

3rd: Brad Hill (42:42) Annapolis, MD

Harbor Island Women's Overall 14' (3-mile / 5km)

1st: Katie Roberts (50:08) Odenton, MD

2nd: Gail Case (51:38) Madison, NC

3rd: Lisa Landry (53:38) Ontario, CA

Contact:

Mark Schmidt

Race Director

Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club

P: 910-620-6914

E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA, USA –  Australian SUP powerhouse Michael Booth, rated one of the top two paddlers in the world in both the Paddle League and APP rankings, returns to North Carolina April 24-28 to defend his Carolina Cup Championship.

“Winning the Carolina Cup was something I always wanted to do since I first picked up a SUP paddle,” said Booth. “The Carolina Cup to me is the most prestigious distance race in our sport. It’s 20-kilometers of varied conditions that test the best-of-the-best each and every year. It’s one event that everyone wants to have on their mantle.”

A first-time champion of the Carolina Cup and member of the Starboard Dream Team, Michael Booth logged an impressive SUP season in 2018, winning eleven of fifteen starts on his race calendar. In addition to the Carolina Cup victory, Booth won his third Australian Distance Race title, second Euro Tour Championship, and second World Title ISA distance race. Although sprinting is not his specialty, Booth focused on the APP Tour for the first time and achieved remarkable results, netting a season-end ranking of second-place worldwide.

The Carolina Cup is one of the world’s largest paddle festivals, featuring races, clinics, expos, and entertainment, with athletes attending from over 20 nations and virtually every state in the USA. Competitors include Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, amateurs, and first-time paddlers. All races begin and end at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the official resort of the Carolina Cup.

Limited enrollment clinics and workshops will be presented at the Carolina Cup by Michael Booth and other top paddle athletes. Subjects include ocean racing; beach starts and surf landings; instructor certification; the perfect race day; SUP paddling; outrigger canoe paddling; one-on-one sessions; paddle skills and techniques; the TRX training system; motivation to race; footwork; and, drills. In addition to Booth, instructors on the agenda are Dan Gavere of Oregon; Travis Grant from Australia; North Carolina’s April Zilg (now residing in California); Florida’s Seychelle; Candice Appleby of California; and Hood River’s Fiona Wylde.

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association (WPA), the 9th annual Carolina Cup is the first SUP race of the 2019 Qualifier Series, a newly formed partnership by the WPA and Association of Paddle-surf Professionals (APP). Competitors in the Carolina Cup have the opportunity to earn points to qualify for the APP World Tour and World Championship.

Races on the 2019 schedule include:

Graveyard Race; a grueling 13.2-mile ocean and flatwater race for the elite and professional paddleboard racers; SUP; Prone;

Money Island Open Race; a 10-kilometer flatwater race designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler; SUP; Prone; Kayak; Surfski; OC; 

Harbor Island Recreational Race; a 5-kilometer flatwater race for first-time to intermediate paddleboarders; SUP; Prone; 

Graveyard Surfski and Outrigger Race; a 13.2-mile elite race starting and finishing on the sound side; Kayak; OC; Surfski;

The Kids Race; for children 6 to 14.  

The designated charity for the 2019 Carolina Cup is Nourish North Carolina, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide healthy food to hungry children, enabling them to succeed in the classroom and their communities.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

League’s World Champ returning to Carolina Cup to defend title 

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA, USA – Germany’s Sonni Hönscheid, winner of the women’s Paddle League World Title in 2018, returns to North Carolina April 24-28 to defend her Carolina Cup Championship.

The Carolina Cup is one of the world’s largest paddle festivals, featuring races, clinics, expos, and entertainment, with athletes attending from over 20 nations and virtually every state in the USA. Competitors include Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, amateurs, and first-time paddlers. All races begin and end at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the official resort of the Carolina Cup.

During the 2018 season, Sonni Hönscheid’s power and speed were astonishing, winning four of the top five major races, including the Carolina Cup, and accumulating enough points to lock up the league’s world title by early July.

“I’m still processing the whole year; it was crazy in many aspects,” said Hönscheid. “I’m proud of myself to be strong enough physically and mentally to reach my goals. The days were too short, and I had to really be strict with myself in making this happen. 2018 was a great year, but also a very hard year.”

“North Carolina is a beautiful place, and Carolina Cup is a beautiful event. Great people and good vibes,” said Hönscheid. “It’s a long race, and everything can happen. I was happy to win the Cup last year. This year, my approach is to give my best and see what happens.”

Sonni Hönscheid balances the rigorous demands of professional paddleboarding with art. An accomplished acrylic painter, Hönscheid’s goal in 2018 was to win the Paddle League World Title “before the opening of my art exhibition in August,” a goal she easily achieved.

On the North Sea island of Sylt, Germany, Hönscheid’s birthplace and home, Sonni combines her “two biggest passions.” Her painting style is inspired by her lifetime of experiences on the ocean, bold, bright, colorful, flowing, and modern.

Board manufacturer Starboard is featuring three of Sonni’s designs on the Tikhine model in 2019. “I’m super stoked about making this sport even more colorful,” said Hönscheid. Click here to read the entire interview with Sonni Hönscheid.

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association (WPA), the 9th annual Carolina Cup is the first SUP race of the 2019 Qualifier Series, a newly formed partnership by the WPA and Association of Paddle-surf Professionals (APP). Competitors in the Carolina Cup have the opportunity to earn points to qualify for the APP World Tour and World Championship.

Returning races on the 2019 schedule include:

Graveyard Race; a grueling 13.2-mile ocean and flatwater race for the elite and professional paddleboard racers; SUP; Prone;

Money Island Open Race; a 10-kilometer flatwater race designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler; SUP; Prone; Kayak; Surfski; OC;

Harbor Island Recreational Race; a 5-kilometer flatwater race for first-time to intermediate paddleboarders; SUP; Prone;

Graveyard Surfski and Outrigger Race; a 13.2-mile elite race starting and finishing on the sound side; Kayak; OC; Surfski;

The Kids Race; for children 6 to 14.

The designated charity for the 2019 Carolina Cup is Nourish North Carolina, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide healthy food to hungry children, enabling them to succeed in the classroom and their communities.

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-6914
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA, USA – Choppy seas and high winds did not faze paddleboard elites Sonni Hönscheid of Germany or Michael Booth of Australia, crowned champions of the punishing 13-mile Graveyard Race at the Quiksilver Waterman Carolina Cup, held April 18-22, in Wrightsville Beach.

“I had a good start, which is rare for me, and was third around the first buoy. I am super happy with that,” said Hönscheid, the fifth-ranked women’s paddler in the world. “I tried to gain distance in the downwind before the first inlet. Fiona was in front of me, but I knew I could catch her in the flatwater, and I did. She was behind me for a while so, I kept my pace out there. Once I returned to the ocean for the final leg, I felt relaxed, had a good time and a good race.” 

“Interestingly, some of the athletes that are ocean paddlers loved the conditions,” said race director Mark Schmidt. “The race had a strong side-shore wind angling from the Northeast and mainly East. Racers who knew how to work the waves and the runners had no problem, but for some, it was a problem.”

“In previous times the wind worked against me because I didn’t have the skills to compete at that level,” said fourth-ranked men’s pro Michael Booth. “But, we’ve been working hard back home in Perth, and the conditions for the Wrightsville Beach race are the same as I train in every day. When I looked out the morning of the race, I thought, “This is just like home. You can do this.” To have it pay off, in the end, is really great.”

“It feels fantastic to win the Graveyard. Ever since I joined this sport I’ve really wanted to win this race,” said Booth. “This is such a major race in the sport, to have my name on the list of champions is really special.”

Following his victory in the elite standup paddleboard category, Booth captured a second Graveyard Race title in the surfski class. Due to growing demand, an elite Graveyard Race was added to the 2018 schedule to include surfski, double-ski, OC-1, and OC-2 (see media site for results). All races for the week originated and ended at Blockade Runner Beach Resort, the official resort of the Carolina Cup.

Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club, affiliated with the newly formed Paddle League, and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association (WPA), the Quiksilver Waterman Carolina Cup attracted paddlers from more than 20 countries and most US states. About 20-percent of the athletes were from North Carolina – a rough estimate provided by Schmidt. Competitors included Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, amateurs, and first-time paddlers.

A partial list of winners:

The Graveyard Race – SUP

Men’s Elite (13-miles / 21km)

1st: Michael Booth (2:03:14) Australia

2nd: Travis Grant (2:03:21) Australia

3rd: Mo Freitas (2:03:27) Hawaii, USA

4th: Titouan Puyo (2:03:43) New Caledonia, France

5th: Georges Cronsteadt (2:03:49) Tahiti

6th: Marcus Hansen (2:04:51) New Zealand

7th: Lincoln Dews (2:05:02) Australia

8th: Niuhiti Buillard (2:05:25) Tahiti

9th: Bruno Hasulyo (2:05:30) Hungary

10th: Danny Ching (2:05:35) CA, USA

Women’s Elite (13-miles / 21km)

1st: Sonni Hönscheid (2:20:35) Germany

2nd: Olivia Piana (2:23:38) France

3rd: Fiona Wylde (2:25:19) Oregon, USA

4th: April Zilg (2:28:26) NC native, now lives in CA, USA

5th: Seychelle Webster (2:29:22) FL, USA

6th: Candice Appleby (2:30:39) CA, USA

7th: Terrene Black (2:30:40) Australia

8th: Shae Foudy (2:31:32) USA

9th: Yuka Sato (2:34:34) Japan

10th: Laura Quetglas (2:37:19) Spain

The Harbor Island Recreational Race – SUP

Harbor Island Men (3-mile open race)

1st: David Young – Wilmington, NC

2nd: Jeff Berry – Rochester, NY

3rd: Dylan Henry – Satellite Beach, FL

4th: Campbell Carter – Wilmington, NC

5th: Mitch Cherry – Atlanta, GA

Harbor Island Women (3-mile open race)

1st: Tabitha Price – Tuscaloosa, AL

2nd: Samantha Stewart – Annapolis, MD

3rd: Elle Newkirk – Wrightsville Beach, NC

4th: Stella Gan – Ontario, Canada

5th: Erin Fitzpatrick – Wrightsville Beach, NC

The Money Island Open – SUP

Money Island Men (6-mile open race)

1st: Jeremy Whitted – Charleston, SC

2nd: David Slemp – St. Augustine, FL

3rd: Justin Schaay – Charleston, SC

4th: Steve Phillips – Surfside Beach, SC

5th: Mike Taber – Ontario, Canada

Money Island Women (6-mile open race)

1st: Heilani Cronsteadt – Tahiti

2nd: Kim Hillhouse – Lanikai, Hawaii

3rd: J. Deriggi – Washington, DC

4th: Meg Bosi – Bonita Springs, FL

5th: Lindsay Cook – Annapolis, MD

Contact:

Mark Schmidt
Race Director
Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club
P: 910-620-1835
E: Mark@WrightsvilleBeachPaddleClub.com

Robert B. Butler
North Carolina Press Release
www.NCPressRelease.org
www.RBButler.com

1…SUP 14'…MICHAEL BOOTH…18-49…M…2:03:14

2…SUP 14'…TRAVIS GRANT…18-49…M…2:03:21

3…SUP 14'…MO FREITAS…18-49…M…2:03:27

4…SUP 14'…TITOUAN PUYO…18-49…M…2:03:43

5…SUP 14'…GEORGES CRONSTEADT…18-49…M…2:03:49

6…SUP 14'…MARCUS HANSEN…18-49…M…2:04:51

7…SUP 14'…LINCOLN DEWS…18-49…M…2:05:02

8…SUP 14…BUILLARY NIOHITI…18-49…M…2:05:26

9…SUP 14'…BRUNO HASULYO…18-49…M…2:05:30

10…SUP 14'…DANNY CHING…18-49…M…2:05:35

11…SUP 14…JOSH RICCIO…18-49…M…2:05:43

12…SUP 14'…DANIEL HASULYO…18-49…M…2:05:46

13…SUP 14'…TY JUDSON…18-49…M…2:06:17

14…SUP 14'…ENZO BENNETT…18-49…M…2:07:27

15…SUP 14'…VINNICIUS MARTINS…18-49…M…2:07:44

16…SUP 14'…CONNOR BAXTER…18-49…M…2:07:54

17…SUP 14'…MARTIN VITRY…18-49…M…2:08:11

18…SUP 14'…TOM AUBER…18-49…M…2:08:58

19…SUP 14'…KELLY MARGETTS…18-49…M…2:09:06

20…SUP 14'…MARTINO ROGAI…18-49…M…2:09:15

21…SUP 14'…KENNY KANEKO…18-49…M…2:10:06

22…SUP 14'…ITZEL DELGADO…18-49…M…2:13:22

23…SUP 14'…FEDERICO ESPOSITO…18-49…M…2:13:28

24…SUP 14'…HARRY MASKELL…18-49…M…2:16:34

25…SUP 14'…RYLAND HART…U17…M…2:17:04

26…SUP 14…FERNANDO STALLA…18-49…M…2:18:49

27…SUP 14'…ERI TENORIO…18-49…M…2:19:40

28…SUP 14'…NATHAN CROSS…18-49…M…2:20:30

29…SUP 14'…SONNI HOENSCHEID…18-49…F…2:20:35

30…SUP 14'…LARRY CAIN…50-59…M…2:21:00

31…SUP 14'…TOMMY BUDAY…18-49…M…2:21:04

32…SUP 14'…STEVE MILLER…18-49…M…2:21:35

33…SUP 14'…HARRISON DEISROTH…U17…M…2:23:00

34…SUP 14'…GUILHERME CUNHA…U17…M…2:23:28

35…SUP 14'…SAM ENGLISH…18-49…M…2:23:38

36…SUP 14'…OLIVIA PIANA…18-49…F…2:23:38

37…SUP 14'…TIM WARNER…18-49…M…2:24:11

38…SUP 14'…FIONA WYLDE…18-49…F…2:25:19

39…SUP 14'…BILL KRAFT…18-49…M…2:25:41

40…SUP 14'…APRIL ZILG…18-49…F…2:28:26

41…SUP 14'…TYLER BASHOR…U17…M…2:28:58

42…SUP 14'…ELIJAH SCHOENIG…U17…M…2:29:19

43…SUP 14'…SEY CHELLE…18-49…F…2:29:22

44…SUP 14'…CANDICE APPLEBY…18-49…F…2:30:39

45…SUP 14'…TERRENE BLACK…18-49…F…2:30:40

46…SUP 14'…SHAE FOUDY…18-49…F…2:31:32

47…SUP 14'…JERAMIE VAINE…18-49…M…2:32:00

48…Prone Unlimited…AJ DEFILIPPIS…18-49…M…2:33:13

49…SUP 14'…YUKA SATO…18-49…F…2:34:34

50…SUP 14'…JEISSON TOVAR…18-49…M…2:34:58

51…SUP 14'…ROBERT HESS…18-49…M…2:36:24

52…SUP 14'…LAURA QUETGLAS…18-49…F…2:37:19

53…SUP 14'…JOHN BATSON…18-49…M…2:37:24

54…SUP 14'…PAUL JACKSON…18-49…M…2:37:31

55…SUP 14'…JADE HOWSON…U17…F…2:37:54

56…SUP 14'…ERIKA BENITEZ…U17…F…2:38:09

57…SUP 14'…DEREK SCHROTTER…18-49…M…2:39:29

58…SUP 14'…PACKET CASEY…18-49…M…2:39:50

59…SUP 14'…TIM OLIVER…18-49…M…2:41:34

60…SUP 14'…LINA AUGAITIS…18-49…F…2:41:55

61…SUP 14'…MADDIE MILLER…U17…F…2:42:33

62…SUP 14'…ZACH ROUNSAVILLE…18-49…M…2:42:35

63…SUP 14'…KIMBERLY BARNES…18-49…F…2:43:33

64…SUP 14'…ANGELA JACKSON…18-49…F…2:43:53

65…SUP 14'…STEPHANIE SHIDELER…18-49…F…2:43:55

66…SUP 14'…JAKE GRAHAM…18-49…M…2:44:19

67…Prone Unlimited…JONNY SKOLNICK…18-49…M…2:44:36

68…SUP 14'…GARY ROTHE…50-59…M…2:44:52

69…SUP 14'…STEVEN BERNSTEIN…18-49…M…2:45:16

70…SUP 14'…ERIC JOHNSTON…18-49…M…2:45:54

71…SUP 14'…STEVEN BARRY…18-49…M…2:46:49

72…SUP 14'…TERRY SMITH…18-49…M…2:47:39

73…SUP 14'…ANDEW MENCINSKY…50-59…M…2:48:53

74…SUP 14'…DAN HAMZIC…18-49…M…2:50:03

75…SUP 14'…TRAVIS KINDT…18-49…M…2:51:08

76…Prone Unlimited…WALLY BUCKINGHAM…60+…M…2:51:12

77…SUP 14'…SARAH WEYENBERG…18-49…F…2:51:16

78…SUP 14'…JACK BALLARD…U17…M…2:52:41

79…SUP 14'…CLAIRE MERRY…18-49…F…2:53:05

80…SUP 14'…CALEB CLARK…U17…M…2:53:14

81…SUP 14'…GRAY BERRYMAN…18-49…M…2:54:15

82…SUP 14'…ROBIN DELGADO…18-49…M…2:55:42

83…Prone Unlimited…ROB KAVCIC…18-49…M…2:56:31

84…SUP 14'…DYLAN GEIGER…U17…M…2:57:16

85…Prone 14'…BEN ROTH…18-49…M…2:57:47

86…SUP 14'…TOMAS PECINKA…18-49…M…2:57:48

87…Prone Unlimted…BOB ARNOT…60+…M…2:59:25

88…SUP 14'…ERIC CARTER…18-49…M…3:00:07

89…SUP 14'…ROBERT NORMAN…18-49…M…3:00:10

90…SUP 14'…ANTHONY GALANG…50-59…M…3:00:49

91…SUP 14'…ROB MORAN…50-59…M…3:00:52

92…SUP 14'…KENNY BALCERSKI…50-59…M…3:02:06

93…Prone Unlimited…JOE BARK…50-59…M…3:02:23

94…SUP 14'…MARY HOWSER…18-49…F…3:02:56

95…Prone Unlimted…CHRIS CANNAVARO…18-49…M…3:03:10

96…SUP 14'…BOB RUETER…60+…M…3:03:40

97…SUP 14'…KYLE ELLISON…18-49…M…3:04:03

98…SUP 14'…DAN MILLER…18-49…M…3:05:21

99…SUP 14'…KEN BOWMAN…18-49…M…3:06:00

100…SUP 14'…DANIEL RAPP…18-49…M…3:06:24

101…Prone Stock…ALICE HENLEY…18-49…F…3:08:43

102…Prone Stock…CHRIS AGUILAR…18-49…M…3:08:46

103…SUP 14'…GABRIEL KOKO DECARAN-VOIGHT…18-49…M…3:10:22

104…SUP 14'…WAYNE BEST…18-49…M…3:11:53

105…SUP 14'…GANDER TAWASTSTJERNA…50-59…M…3:12:16

106…SUP 14…ALEJANDRA BRITO…18-49…F…3:13:23

107…SUP 14'…TROY GOSSARD…18-49…M…3:15:04

108…SUP 14'…NATHAN CHAMPION…18-49…M…3:15:25

109…SUP 14'…KATE LEWIS…18-49…F…3:15:51

110…SUP 14'…RUSS SCULLY…18-49…M…3:16:15

111…SUP 14'…TIM BURKE…50-59…M…3:16:56

112…SUP 14'…TRACEY FINLAY…50-59…F…3:17:02

113…SUP 14'…BRIAN COEN…18-49…M…3:17:17

114…SUP 14'…WILL LATHAN…18-49…M…3:18:11

115…SUP 14'…PETER ALLEN…18-49…M…3:18:13

116…SUP 14'…ADAM POLLOCK…18-49…M…3:18:18

117…SUP 14'…ED PIERCE…60+…M…3:18:47

118…Prone Stock…KAREN FIGUEROA…50-59…F…3:21:07

119…SUP 14'…VIKTOR MILEV…18-49…M…3:22:06

120…SUP 14'…KEVIN KAHIKINA…50-59…M…3:22:44

121…SUP 14'…FRANK TORRES…50-59…M…3:22:56

122…SUP 14'…JENNA BLACKBURN…U17…F…3:24:20

123…SUP 14'…NORIKO OKAYA…18-49…F…3:24:24

124…SUP 14'…JAMIE PENLAND…18-49…M…3:24:48

125…SUP 14'…ADRIAN ANGELL…50-59…M…3:25:42

126…SUP 14'…BART SCHAD…50-59…M…3:26:42

127…SUP 14'…LOUANNE HARRIS…18-49…F…3:27:00

128…SUP 14'…LES THORNBURY…18-49…M…3:27:32

129…SUP 14'…ADAM PIEPKORN…18-49…M…3:27:37

130…SUP 14'…STEVIE BODDEN…18-49…F…3:27:38

131…SUP 14'…RAMON MERCADO…18-49…M…3:28:56

132…SUP 14'…MARK HERMAN…18-49…M…3:29:38

133…Prone Unlimted…FRANK GODWIN…50-59…M…3:29:44

134…SUP 14'…MARK SUMNER…18-49…M…3:30:29

135…SUP 14'…BOBBY NELSON…60+…M…3:31:31

136…SUP 14'…EDMONDS BAFFORD…18-49…M…3:33:35

137…SUP 14'…NICK JIMENEZ…18-49…M…3:34:01

138…SUP 14'…ERIK LUMBERT…18-49…M…3:35:41

139…SUP 14'…MICHELLE CURRIER…18-49…F…3:40:08

140…SUP 14'…EVELYN O'DOHERTY…18-49…F…3:40:33

141…SUP 14'…KAREN KENNEDY…18-49…F…3:41:54

142…SUP 14'…MIKE WHITE…18-49…M…3:42:01

143…SUP 14'…JEFF HENDERSON…50-59…M…3:42:35

144…Prone Stock…LORAINE GRUBER…50-59…F…3:43:16

145…SUP 14'…TERESA PLITT…50-59…F…3:43:33

146…SUP 14'…JOSETTE LATA…18-49…F…3:44:06

147…SUP 14'…KAREN WILSON…60+…F…3:44:45

148…SUP 14'…TED NELSON…50-59…M…3:47:44

149…SUP 14'…BERNARDO ISACOVICI…18-49…M…3:51:47

150…SUP 14'…MICHAEL TREMAN…60+…M…4:00:34

1   Surfski Single MICHAEL BOOTH 1:34:30

2   Surfski Single NATE HUMBERSTON 1:36:07

3   Surfski Single OSCAR CHALUPSKY 1:39:31

4   Surfski Single ERIC MIMS 1:40:09

5   Surfski Single FLAVIO COSTA 1:41:06

6   OC-1 TRAVIS GRANT 1:43:53

7   OC-1 DANNY CHING 1:44:08

8   OC-1 GEORGES CRONSTEADT 1:46:01

9   OC-1 RYLAND HART 1:46:22

10  OC1 HARRISON DEISROTH 1:47:28

11  Surfski Single ERIC COSTANZO 1:49:49

12  Surfski BRIAN MEYER 1:50:33

13  Surfski JAN LUPINSKI 1:50:34

14  Surfski Single ANDY MCMARLIN 1:51:12

15  OC-2 DAVID JAMES 1:51:59

16  OC-2 NICK GOINGS 1:52:33

17  Surfski Single WILLIAM CUMMINS 1:53:12

18  Surfski Single CHRIS MULSTAY 1:53:45

19  OC2 KELLY RHODES 1:54:15

20  OC-1 DEREK SCHROTTER 1:54:26

21  Surfski Single PETER MORGAN 1:54:39

22  OC-1 CHRIS CURRY 1:55:55

23  Surfski Single ROWAN SAMPSON 1:56:46

24  Surfski Single DARREN CROZIER 1:58:32

25  Surfski Single JOHN POLLOCK 1:58:49

26  Surfski Single MICHAEL ALEXEEV 1:59:27

27  Surfski Single RAND PERKINS 1:59:46

28  OC-2 TROY CAMPHOUS 1:59:47

29  OC-2 TYLER HUSTRULID 2:00:23

30  OC-1 KEVIN RHODES 2:00:23

31  OC1 APRIL ZILG 2:01:18

32  Surfski JUSTIN SCHAAY 2:03:44

33  OC-1 LEAH CHING 2:04:26

34  OC-1 STEVE DULLACK 2:05:05

35  Surfski CLIFF ROACH 2:07:55

36  Surfski Single BRAXTON CARTER 2:08:50

37  OC-1 BARRY BLACKBURN 2:09:00

38  OC-1 SEAN HAVENS 2:09:18

39  OC-1 AIMEE SPECTOR 2:09:42

40  OC1 JOHN BEAUSANG 2:10:15

41  Kayak WILLIAM SCHAET 2:13:56

42  OC-1 ROBERT NORMAN 2:14:37

43  surfski KIRIL FLOROU 2:15:04

44  Surfski Single KATA DISMUKES 2:15:23

45  OC-1 CHIP BOCK 2:15:45

46  OC1 DAN MILLER 2:22:30

47  OC-1 RAY WORRELL 2:24:47

48  OC-1 DAVID RUSH 2:28:33

49  OC1 WENDELL MARTIN 2:29:09

50  Surfski SCOTT THOMAS 2:30:41

51  OC-1 ROBERT ALLISON 2:41:36

52  OC-1 MARGO PELLEGRINO 2:50:16

53  OC-1 SUNNY JACKSON 2:50:17