Crete has turned into a worldwide focus of upright SUP (SUP) from 1 May to 4 May 2025, hosting two top ICF SUP World Series 2025 events. Sitia and Agios Nikolaos welcomed athletes from all over the world, offering unique times. 235 world -class athletes from 23 countries competed, with the participation of major names of the international and the Greek scene of SUP (upright chanting). The events offered total prizes of 18,000 €!
Sitia – May 1 & 2: Technical craftsmanship and explosive speeds
The curtain opened in Sitia, with great success and despite the adverse weather conditions the World Cup- ICF SUP World Cup 2025- as well as the Panhellenic Cup in the city of Sitia. An event of the Hellenic Federation of Canoe Kayak, SUP & Surf in collaboration with the Sitia Nautical Club, the Region of Crete, the General Secretariat of Sport, the Municipality of Sitia, MADES, Sitia and Geopark Development Organization. In the technical race on May 1, where athletes faced a demanding route with seven turns at a distance of 1 km, in the presence of strong side winds and rain.
In addition to the categories of Open and Women’s Open – with Elite athletes from all over the world – there were all categories of age teams set by ICF. There was a striking turnout in the categories of young people and young women, with participants from all over Greece and abroad. Crete is a real nursery for young SUP athletes – most Greek SUP athletes come from here and the island’s clubs produce new talents year after year, proof that the sport is growing and puts strong roots for a bright future.
From the very first qualifying series, the matches were difficult. In both the quarter -finals and the semifinals, a strong side wind made the route more endurance than technique. In the finals, which took place in the afternoon, the wind was cut off due to the heavy rain and we ended up fighting under torrential rain in calm waters. The level of athletes in the water was incredible. Shuri Araki dominated the match in every qualifying series, winning the first place on the podium, followed by Donato Freens, who won second place with an impressive return, and the powerful Brazilian Eri Tenorio in third. Filippo Mercuriali, who finished in 5th place, also scored robust appearances.
The appearance of the day belongs to Susak Molinero, which, after a not -so -perfect start, reacted with extensive experience to the buoys to conquer third place with vigor and heart – returning to the podium of the World Cup and proving once again that hard work and passion. In front of her was the rising star Csillag Kocsis in second place and the champion of Puerto Rico Marie Carmen Rivera, who won with clear superiority. In fourth place was the Greek Sunday Logothetis and Natalia Novitskaia respectively.
The tension peaked on May 2 with the sprint race, where speed and explosiveness were decisive. Sitia’s marina turned into an explosive track, hosting a 150 -meter sprint race. The participation was great, with series full of competition, and each athlete fought in a separate corridor.
Immediately, the difference was clear between athletes with a canoe background and SUP athletes. Susak was eliminated in the semifinals, along with other high -level international athletes who had difficulty in the first rounds. In the men’s match, Andrey Kraitor, a former Olympic canoe, took the victory – continuing to impose his dominance on this race.
The young Romanian athlete Matei Barbu, already world champion SPRINT, took second place, and the podium was completed by Phaedon Doukas, a traditional SUP athlete who is increasingly focusing on the sprint races. Dutch Donato Freens 4th and Nikos Malekakis 5th, also world champions, formed the five.
Among the women, the winner was American Katniss Paris, followed by Mariecarmen Rivera in second place and Hannah Kaminska, another young sprinter in third, while Natalia Novitskaia and Sunday Logothetis completed the top five.
Agios Nikolaos – May 3 & 4: Technique in waves and long distances resistance
On May 3, the games continued in Ag. Nikolaos, who had the 10th anniversary of Agios Nikolaos on Sup. This year, this match, along with Sitia, were two of the five matches of the ICF SUP World Ranking Series that will determine the overall win at the Abu Dabbi World Championship. The technical race was a part of the Panhellenic Cup, while the long distance was a Pan -Hellenic Championship match. It was an event of the Hellenic Federation of Canoe Kayak, SUP & Surf in collaboration with the Ag. Nikolaou, the Region of Crete, the General Secretariat of Sport, the Municipality of Ag. Nikolaou and the Municipal Société Anonyme Ag. Nicholas.
The third day also marked the start of the second event this week. The athletes moved from Sitia to Agios Nikolaos, and the day started with a technical race on the beach of Almyros, on a sunny but stormy day. The route was about 1.5 km long with two rounds, a total of 16 turns with a buoy and two sections on the beach. A strong side wind and some waves were a challenge for all participants, while offering a spectacular spectators – a form of a race that was both beautiful in watching and rowing. This kind of race can be described as a beach race, thanks to the presence of waves, running on the beach and other elements that highlight not only the power and technique of rowing, but also the skills in the ocean and the ability to read water. The struggle in this form and under these conditions is more excited – whatever can happen and complete concentration is required at any time. This form of race is one of the most beautiful events in this sport. The Italian Paulo Marconi won a satisfactory fifth place behind the English Blue Ewer, Brazilian Eri Tenorio, Dutch Donato Freens and young Japanese athlete Shuri Araki.
In the women’s race, the American World Champion in the 100m Katniss Paris came out 5th, the Italian Susak Molinero won 4th place in a difficult, full -fledged match between athletes and intense competitions. Niki once again went to Mariecarmen Rivera from Puerto Rico, followed by the young stars Csillag Kocsis and Kyriaki Logotheti. The day ended with the sunset with a awards ceremony on the beach, fully embracing the spirit of our sports – a sport with salt and sand in its DNA. It was a fun but very technical beach race!
The event culminated on May 4 with the long distance race. On the last day of the Games in this double event of the ICF world rankings, which was also the Pan -Hellenic Championship, the athletes participated in the classic long -distance race of St. Nicholas, which celebrates its 10th edition, which tasted the athletes. The 13.5km route from point to point extends along the coast and offers different and always demanding conditions each year. This year, men and women ran at different times of the day. The men’s race started at 10am, while the women entered the water at 1 pm
The change of weather created two very different races: men had to face a light march against the wind for more than half of the route, followed by a section with calm waters leading to the finish. The women, on the other hand, experienced a bit of everything – Downwind for much of the first half, sections against the wind and some real demanding parts with sidewalk. It was a cruel and demanding struggle, both physically and mentally. Italian Paulo Marconi secured fifth place, after a great long distance duel with his athlete in the Italian national team, Filippo Mercuriali. In front of him were Brazilian Eri Tenorio, young Greek and talent Tasos Tsouris, Dutch Donato Freens and unbeaten Shuri Araki.
In the women’s struggle, Susak ended the race with a beautiful high -end appearance that secured her second place – behind the incredibly powerful Puerto Rivera Rivera and in front of the young Greek athlete Sunday Logothetis. The young Germany won the Thursday position while in front of her had the international athlete Natalia Novitskaya.
Detailed results: https://my.esportevents.gr/index.php
Impressions and perspectives
The success of the Games in Sitia and Agios Nikolaos made Crete as a top destination for SUP, combining natural beauty, organizational excellence and a racing challenge. At the same time, the multitude of juniors categories, especially Greeks in the K18 category, combined with the high level of their performance, came to confirm that our sport is evolving and that the future belongs to young people. The heart of SUP is located on the island of Crete, which has all the specifications to host such events by highlighting the sport of SUP and Greece. The participation of top athletes and the warm welcome from the local community create the conditions for even greater events in the future.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
