EURO TOUR 2016 with photos

[photofr]

The EURO TOUR is now well on its way, and you guessed it: in Europe

May 21 and 22
Sainte Maxime (South of France)

Competition was fierce, and seriously amazing to watch. Team Starboard made an incredible "entrance" in the French Riviera with several of their riders taking part.

Weather: Some wind, but light. Sun was out both days, but the air wasn't too warm: nearly perfect really.

Water: Still a bit cold, but crystal clear.

The french got to see some World renown riders like Connor Baxter, Michael Booth, Sonni Honscheid, Fiona Wylde, Titouan Puyo, and many others. They came from just about everywhere... Hawaii, US Mainland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Hungary, France, South Africa, Australia and a few more... To you, they were probably all very familiar faces.

I have seen a few races, and I must admit: the level this weekend was downright amazing! Michael Booth took the win on the long distance, but before doing so, he launched a series of sprints to make everyone think twice about following him. It was seriously unreal.

The start was nothing short of high speed that would never die.

Next Stop for the EURO TOUR is Lost Mills, in Germany. Dates: May 27 and 28
This will include te famous sprint races on Friday, and a long distance race on Saturday.

Here are some of my favorite photos. I hope you enjoy.


DAY ONE LINK: (technical course)
https://photofr.smugmug.com/FindYourPhotos-1/2016-Event-Photos/2016-May-21-Euro-Tour-BEACH

DAY TWO LINK: (long distance)
https://photofr.smugmug.com/FindYourPhotos-1/2016-Event-Photos/2016-May-22-Euro-Tour-Long


DAY ONE: Nearly totally dominated by Starboard, with incredible vibes from a very "complete" team in France.













DAY TWO: Seriously intense to watch

[coldsup]

Great pics. C Baxter just doesn't look like a powerhouse physically but he certainly has buckets full of it....

[Area 10]

Yes, great pics.
Why is it that although Starboard sponsor many of the top male racers, they aren't doing nearly so well with the women? Is this because the Starboard boards don't suit women, or is there some other reason?

[photofr]

Perhaps all the "best women" are already riding for other manufacturers, but that would be my best guess. I saw couple of amazing athletes out there, men yes, but women as well. Starboard second place women Fiona is diabetic, and look at the performance out there.

Blown away, but so cool to watch.

[Turtle]

Great pics! Did you happen to notice what width Allstars where the top guys using? 

[photofr]

Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Team riders on the Allstar were on 14x25. There were only a few 14x23 available, so most were on a 14x25.

However, the conditions were so flat that a lot of the riders wished they had access to a 14x23.

Sprint 14x23, Allstar 14x23, Allstar 14x25... the level was really high!
The first guys would throw a sprint, and within a few minutes, another, and ANOTHER. Endless battery reserve.

[yugi]

Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Team riders on the Allstar were on 14x25. There were only a few 14x23 available, so most were on a 14x25.
...

Interesting to hear that.

There's a huge problem for the top end SUP race boards availability in Europe. Importers not daring to take stock. Surprising though that racers are supplied what they wish for. Or is it what they asked for anticipating choppy conditions?

Did you get to try a x23?

[photofr]

I found the 14x23 Allstar quite stable. If I had to guess, it was a 14x24, or very close to that nature.

Stock in all of Europe is indeed difficult and costly. You'd best order YOUR board if you are looking for special boards like the 14x23 Allstar. However, unless you are paddling at a top level, the 14x25 may prove to be faster for you... it all depends on so many factors. The EURO TOUR is specifically a series of races that pretty much take place in "CALMER" bodies of water.

Lost Mills, Germany... for instance: everyone will be fighting to get on a 14x23 Sprint board. It's a race taking place in a lake... literally.

[Area 10]

Perhaps all the "best women" are already riding for other manufacturers, but that would be my best guess. I saw couple of amazing athletes out there, men yes, but women as well. Starboard second place women Fiona is diabetic, and look at the performance out there.

Blown away, but so cool to watch.

Yeah, having checked SUPRacers' rankings, starboard only sponsor one of the top 10 women (ie. 90% are on something else), and only 2 out of the top men are on a Starboard (although sometimes they paddle something else that is badged as a Starboard). In other words 80% of the fastest men aren't on a Starboard. So I guess you can't draw much conclusion from those statistics in regard to gender differences. If the best female paddler in the world hadn't left Starboard behind to go to Lahui Kai then they'd be the same gender ratio in each group.

[mr_proper]

Lost Mills, Germany... for instance: everyone will be fighting to get on a 14x23 Sprint board. It's a race taking place in a lake... literally.

If someone wants to buy my one year old Sprint 14x23, I can bring it to lost mills ;-)

[photofr]

You might want to email me your phone number... I'll pass the word around on Thursday, perhaps that will help.
ludovic@photofr.com

[robon]

Perhaps all the "best women" are already riding for other manufacturers, but that would be my best guess. I saw couple of amazing athletes out there, men yes, but women as well. Starboard second place women Fiona is diabetic, and look at the performance out there.

Blown away, but so cool to watch.

Yeah, having checked SUPRacers' rankings, starboard only sponsor one of the top 10 women (ie. 90% are on something else), and only 2 out of the top men are on a Starboard (although sometimes they paddle something else that is badged as a Starboard). In other words 80% of the fastest men aren't on a Starboard. So I guess you can't draw much conclusion from those statistics in regard to gender differences. If the best female paddler in the world hadn't left Starboard behind to go to Lahui Kai then they'd be the same gender ratio in each group.

Interesting that Starboard "only" sponsors one of the top 10 women and "only" two of the top 10 men, but SB have 7 men and 3 women in the top 20 overall. Having 10 athletes in the top 20 is pretty good.

[mr_proper]

You might want to email me your phone number... I'll pass the word around on Thursday, perhaps that will help.
ludovic@photofr.com

In case that you meant me... I have send you an email.

[photofr]

perfect.... I will pass along the info.

[Area 10]

Perhaps all the "best women" are already riding for other manufacturers, but that would be my best guess. I saw couple of amazing athletes out there, men yes, but women as well. Starboard second place women Fiona is diabetic, and look at the performance out there.

Blown away, but so cool to watch.

Yeah, having checked SUPRacers' rankings, starboard only sponsor one of the top 10 women (ie. 90% are on something else), and only 2 out of the top men are on a Starboard (although sometimes they paddle something else that is badged as a Starboard). In other words 80% of the fastest men aren't on a Starboard. So I guess you can't draw much conclusion from those statistics in regard to gender differences. If the best female paddler in the world hadn't left Starboard behind to go to Lahui Kai then they'd be the same gender ratio in each group.

Interesting that Starboard "only" sponsors one of the top 10 women and "only" two of the top 10 men, but SB have 7 men and 3 women in the top 20 overall. Having 10 athletes in the top 20 is pretty good.

Well, it depends how you look at it. You could also say that since Starboard sponsor far more athletes than any other brand, you'd expect more Starboard riders at the very top. Maybe per buck spent on their sponsored athletes, Starboard aren't  actually getting as much bang for their buck as some other teams?

3/20 women isn't so good , is it, given the overall number of females they sponsor?