The French SUP Championships took place in Brittany on the weekend of November 9-11th. UPDATED with beach race video!

The weather was cold  and the conditions were challenging especially for the Beach Race: there was a swell of about 1m to 1,5m growing during the day. In this kond of conditions balance is very important and the slightest mistake can be bad. When Eric Terrien fell in the water and got hit by his board over the head, Didier Leneil took the lead of the race straight away and did not let it go more, encouraged by a chearful audience. Yoann Cornelis finished 2nd, followed by Greg Closier. The 30km “Downwind” Race was very tough as the win was blowing from the wrong directions so the paddlers ended up paddling against the wind for 20km.

Results Beach Race Men:
1. Didier Leneil (Fanatic)
2. Yoann Cornelis (Fanatic)
3. Greg Closier (Hobie)
Results Beach Race Women:
1. Olivia Piana (Fanatic)
2. Caroline Angobaud
3. Faustine Merret
Here is the video from the beach race in epic conditions by Stef Debuire:
1 Eric Terrien (Bic)
2 Yoan Cornelis (Fanatic)
3 Greg Closier (Hobie)
Results Long Distance 12´6 Women:
1 Faustine Meret
2 Olivia Piana (Fanatic)
3 Céline Guesdon

Here is a video from the 15km Downwind (12’6″)

Presqu’île Paddle Race – Championnats de France SUP Race 2012 – Downwind de 15 km en 12’6 entre Morgat & Pentrez from Stefvidéo on Vimeo.

Results Long Distance 14´0 Men (30km):
1 Eric Terrien (BIC)
2. Thomas Goyard (Fanatic)
3. Olivier Garet

And here is the video from the 30km Downwind (14′)

Presqu’île Paddle Race – Championnats de France SUP Race 2012 – SUP 14” – 30 KM Camaret – Morgat from Stefvidéo on Vimeo.

Here is what women’s beach race winner Olivia Piana said after the event:

“The Long Distance was a 15km downwind race. I started the race ahead, but Faustine Merret joined me quickly and I saw she was in form for this event. It was an hard fight all long the race with some crashes and long surfs. I gave my best like never before. At the end I was a bit disappointed because I am used to winning easy, but also happy to have girls competition on the water ! I’m super motiveted to train hard for the next year and to do better on this race format.

On Sunday the race commitee chose a spot with 1.5m waves. A lot of riders hesitated to go in the water with a race board. I knew the spot quite well because I worked there in July, so I knew that the waves were pretty soft. I pushed the girls to go on the water and we were nine on the start line! It was a hard battle once again with Caroline Angibaud, SUP Wave French Champ. I took a good wave on the last round and it brought me to my first title of Beach Race French Champion! I’m super happy!”
Congratulations to all winners!