Organiser Andy Morrell billed the Painkiller Cup as the “event within an event.”
The inaugural race featured seven stand up paddleboard teams of three, which included one female, paddling 13 miles along Tortola’s north shore.
The event was one of five SUP races that were part of the week long Highland Spring HIHO competition, which also featured a windsurfing division.
The SUP race started at Trellis Bay and finished at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke last Friday.
Team Fanatic consisting of Chase Kosterlitz, Belar Diaz and Sarah Bryne won the race and $4,000.
Second place went to Colin Butler and Gail and Eric Walker of Team St. Thomas.
Shannon Falcone, Nik Bohachevsky and Joy Chien of Team Antigua took third place.
“I have never done an event like this,” Mr. Kosterlitz said, who does about 20 professional SUP events a year. He would win every race during this year’s HIHO event.
Teammates followed the paddlers on boats and swapped out at any time. The Painkiller Cup was the only relay during the competition.
“We’re especially pleased with the inaugural Painkiller Cup,” Mr. Morrell said. “I’m betting this will become a must-do event on the SUP tour.”
The windsurfing race during the Painkiller Cup started at Sandy Spit and finished at White Bay, JVD. The windsurfing race was delayed until the paddlers reached Sandy Spit, so both finishers would coincide.The winning SUP team took two hours and 38 minutes. They also paddled an extra couple of miles by staying wide of the rhumb line, according to Mr. Morrell.
Wilhelm Schurman of Brazil was the windsurfing winner that day and won the entire event. Mr. Schurman was the defending champion and had no problem winning every race during the event.
Rusty Henderson of the VI took second place overall. The only other VI racer was Sam Morrell who competed in the junior division.
The week long event featured six races around the territory, with included 15 windsurfers and 18 paddlers.
“The fun part is creating the courses,” Mr. Morrell said.
Last Tuesday the SUP division paddled from Leverick Bay to The Baths.
“The islands have been awesome,” Mr. Kosterlitz said. “The places we have been racing have been beautiful.”
Next year organisers are looking at adding kite boarding to the event.
Mr. Kosterlitz, of St. Pete Beach, Florida, started as a kite boarder, but moved into SUP competitions and has been hooked ever since. He said the sport is growing fast and as soon as more sponsors get involved, he might be able to start making a living at it.
The professional paddler said he enjoyed this year’s HIHO competition and has plans to return next year.
“I am pencilling it in for next year,” Mr. Kosterlitz said.