The Painkiller Cup is off to a promising start with some of the world’s best sailors and standup paddle boarders slated to compete on Saturday.
The 14-mile downwind team standup paddleboard event was first introduced during last year’s weeklong HIHO race.
This year’s lineup includes 2013 America’s Cup Team Oracle skipper James Spithill. The sailor was encouraged to compete in this year’s Painkiller Cup by Team Oracle crewmember and friend Shannon Falcone of Antigua, who competed in last year’s paddleboard race, according to organiser Andy Morrell.
A welcome party for the America’s Cup sailors was held last night at the Bitter End Yacht Club.
Other top paddlers include Chase Kosterlitz, the top paddler from the United States and last year’s Painkiller Cup winner. Belar Diaz, the top stand-up paddleboard racer from Spain is also expected to compete.
“They are really into paddling,” Mr. Morrell said. “They are super athletes and paddling is part of their training.”
However, anyone could win the Painkiller Cup, because the race is a team event, said the organiser.
A team consists of three paddlers with a minimum one female. Only one paddler from the team is in the water at a time, while the other two competitors follow the race aboard a chase boat. Paddlers will rotate every 30 minutes.
Paddlers from around the world are expected to attend. But Mr. Morrell said he wouldn’t be surprised if a team from here places in the top five.
Team Kite St Croix “is looking strong,” Mr. Morrell said. The team consists of Bill Kraft, Nat Ford and Isabelle Picard.
“This team has trained hard and is familiar with the conditions,” the oraniser added.
Top VI racers include Lee Donovan and Brian Duff, who are racing with Brazilian pro Helga Goebal.
“I am hoping to see a couple of teams from here do well,” Mr. Morrell said.
More than $11,000 will be awarded to the top five teams, with first place taking home $5,000. There will also be a $750 cash prize for the team who reaches Guana Island first.
The last team who finishes the race will be refunded the $250 entry fee.
The 14-mile race starts at Trellis Bay, Beef Island and finishes at White Bay, JVD. The skipper’s meeting will be held at the HIHO store at Trellis Bay at 8 a.m. the day of the race.
For individual racers, there is the Mini-Painkiller Cup, a three-mile race that starts at Sandy Cay and finishes at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. The start of that event will get under way once the fleet of Painkiller Cup competitors reach Sandy Cay. The $50 entry fee will include lunch, a hat and a race jersey.
For more information about the Soggy Dollar Painkiller Cup, visit www.go-hiho.com
{fcomment}