OYSTER POND--Franck Fifils won the Perrier Soualiga Challenge for the fifth time in the 11 paddles of the race. Fifils from Guadeloupe completed the 25 kilometre course across the St Barths Channel to Oyster Pond in 2:06:36.
Mark Manuel from Guadeloupe was second at 2:11:40 and was followed by Friendly Island paddlers Stuart Knaggs at 2:11:51 and JP Piscione at 2:22:52.
Gregory Duventru from Martinique was the top Male junior paddler with a time of 2:39:00.
Mary Wrigley was the only women to enter. She finished 3:37:46.
Any channel crossing is a challenge. Normally the varied conditions, big seas and high wind are associated with the Soualiga Challenge. This year’s 11th edition, provided the twelve local, regional and visiting paddlers with another tough challenge, nearly no seas, no wind, plenty of heat and seaweed.
The 25 kilometre Perrier Soualiga Challenge is the longest running paddling race in the Caribbean and is hosted annual by the St. Maarten Canoe Federation.
Fifils won the race four times before. In 2005 he was clocked at in 1:59:26. In 2006 he finished in 1:54:18. Fifils won again in 2011 in 2:02:00 and in 2012 in 2:19:00.
“This year it was very flat and calm. There was quite a lot of seaweed,” said Knaggs. “There were runs to be found but in the clam conditions it was quite technical.”
All the racers received medals of participation and the top three in each category received gold, silver or broze respectively.
The race was sponsors by Perrier, Captain Oliver's Restaurant, Moorings and Budget Marine.
