Sonni Hönscheid runs to finish line at The Carolina Cup. (Port City Daily photo/ Courtesy Robert B. Butler)
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — Sonni Hönscheid of Germany and Michael Booth of Australia were crowned champions of the 13-mile Graveyard Race at the Quiksilver Waterman Carolina Cup held April 18-22 in Wrightsville Beach.
The Quiksilver Waterman Carolina Cup is organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club which is affiliated with the newly formed Paddle League and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association.
“The Quicksilver Waterman Carolina Cup attracted paddlers from more than 20 countries and most U.S. states, with about 20 percent of athletes from North Carolina,” race coordinator Mark Schmidt said.
This year’s competitors included Olympians, world-record holders, champions, professionals, amateurs, and first-time paddlers.
“It feels fantastic to win the Graveyard. Ever since I joined this sport I’ve really wanted to win this race,” said winner Michael Booth. “This is such a major race in the sport, to have my name on the list of champions is really special.”
A partial list of winners:
The Graveyard Race – SUP
Men’s Elite (13-miles / 21km)
1st: Michael Booth (2:03:14) Australia
2nd: Travis Grant (2:03:21) Australia
3rd: Mo Freitas (2:03:27) Hawaii, USA
4th: Titouan Puyo (2:03:43) New Caledonia, France
5th: Georges Cronsteadt (2:03:49) Tahiti
6th: Marcus Hansen (2:04:51) New Zealand
7th: Lincoln Dews (2:05:02) Australia
8th: Niuhiti Buillard (2:05:25) Tahiti
9th: Bruno Hasulyo (2:05:30) Hungary
10th: Danny Ching (2:05:35) California, USA
Women’s Elite (13-miles / 21km)
1st: Sonni Hönscheid (2:20:35) Germany
2nd: Olivia Piana (2:23:38) France
3rd: Fiona Wylde (2:25:19) Oregon, USA
4th: April Zilg (2:28:26) NC native, now lives in CA, USA
