The 2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships has come to a stunning close, with the first ever SS-2 (Doubles) world champions crowned on the final day of competition at Perth’s Scarborough Beach.

More than 60 crews teamed up to represent their country in the first ever official SS-2 race, it’s second appearance at an Ocean Racing World Championships after an exhibition race in 2014.

The experienced Spanish duo Judit Verges Xifra and Walter Bouzan delivered 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,” she said.

Paddling together for the first time, Australian young guns Patrick Eley (WA) and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Jasmine Locke (NSW) finished in second, closely followed by fellow Aussies 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 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 for Jas as well,” Eley said.

The placing meant the pair walked away from the event as World Champions in the U23 double ocean ski.

 

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Article and Image courtesy of Paddle Australia

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