Spanish duo take first ever ocean racing doubles gold

The Spanish pairing of Judit Verges Xifra and Walter Bouzan have won the first ever ICF doubles ocean racing world title in a thrilling competition off thecoast of the Western Australian capital city of Perth. The SS-2 competition was held as an exhibition event at the 2014 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships, but was included as an official event in Perth. More than 60 crews teamed up to represent their country with Verges Xifra and Bouzan delivering an emphatic win. “We are really happy – we knew that we had a strong boat but we didn’t expect to win. We came here to fight for the medals but we didn’t expect the gold medal,” Verges Xifra said. “Here in Australia, their knowledge is really strong, they grew up with these conditions, and grew up in the sea. Being here, and fighting with them, is such an amazing experience. “It was a really good experience, for learning and for seeing different seas…for me it was a good experience and I learnt a lot.” Australian young guns Patrick Eley (WA) and Jasmine Locke (NSW) were paddling together for the first time and finished in second, closely followed by fellow Australians Mackenzie Hynard (QLD) and Jemma Smith (NSW). Locke said it was Eley’s local knowledge of the surf and the break that helped them to snag second place. “I think that helped us immensely, we really tracked out wide at the start and I was getting a bit worried, but I just had complete faith in Pat, that he knew what he was doing and I just had to follow,” Locke said. “It’s just awesome to be able to paddle here in WA, it’s such a nice area, that’s such a nice wind, it’s been a really good week,” she said. Eley added that it was an extra special medal performance, being able to share the moment with friends and family on home soil. “For the both of us, obviously we’ve got family and relatives here, and for them to be able to come down here and really immerse themselves in what this week has produced, it’s been so special for me and I’m sure it has been...

[go to the magazine: canoeicf]

Continue with the original post:
https://www.canoeicf.com/news/spanish-duo-take-first-ever-ocean-racing-doubles-gold