I always look forward to this race, it is one of my favorite venues. The Hotel that Club Nautico Villajoyosa organised for us was Hotel Allon – it is a great hotel. The hotel is right on the beach overlooking the start/finish and it has a great breakfast buffet.

We arrived very late Wednesday evening, my boat was only arriving on Friday morning so we had Thursday to kick around and meet up with our friends from SA, Spain, Portugal, Italy!! Also this gave us time to go to the best Chocolate shop – Valor Chocolate. A nice cup of pure chocolate with some “churros” and I think that was my perfect race fuel 🙂

I am going to be racing in an Allwave CX Surfski, I have tried it in South Africa but this would be my first race in the CX. It is a great boat, very comfortable. Also adding to a new boat this would be my first race with my new paddles from Knysna Racing, I am using the Swing LD and loving them.

I felt good coming into this year’s race and new I would have a tough race against last year’s winner Jenna Ferris. It was decided that Saturday at 13:30 ish (Spanish Time) we would start the downwind race (22km) and Sunday would be the classic race (18km). Then the times added together from the two days to determine the final positions. With not much help from the wind on either days we all knew this was going to be a tough race. The first race we actually had a headwind to start off, but as we rounded the point the wind died completely. There were some runs from Benidorm Island home but wow you had to work for them. I raced as hard as I could and came in first with Jenna in second, I was very happy to have a lead going into day 2.

In the men’s race – Sean Rice had a great race and finished first ahead of 2nd placed Dawid Mocke and Japser Mocke in third.

Day 2 and it was going to tough, tired from the day before……not use to this two day racing thing :)!! The start would be a mass start from the beach, standing about 10m behind your boat – the spectators love to see this start. We then paddled a triangle heading back to where we started as there was a HOTSPOT, which Dawid Mocke claimed. Another great time for the spectators as everyone rushes towards the beach for the turn buoy to try and claim the HOTSPOT. Our course then took us out to Benidorm Island and back.

I finished first to win my first ever Eurochallenge Race, very happy all the hard work paid off!!

Sean Rice, Dawid Mocke and Jasper Mocke all held the same places as day 1. Well done everyone out there it was a tough two days, but very enjoyable and I will be back next year for sure.

Next up are the first three (Icon Classic, Weymouth to Lulworth & St.Ives Paddlefest) of the GB Series races before we all head out to the World Champs in Portugal in July.

Thanks for all your support 🙂