EuroTour 2026 Explodes Into Action at Boot Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, Germany - The 2026 EuroTour season kicked off in style at boot Düsseldorf, with the SUP Indoor World Cup delivering three days of fast-paced racing, technical precision, and standout performances from athletes representing 12 nations. As the opening five-star event of the season, the competition set a high bar, showcasing the intensity and spectacle that have become hallmarks of the EuroTour indoor format.
With €8,000 in prize money on the line and packed grandstands throughout finals day, the event highlighted both established champions and emerging talent, confirming Düsseldorf’s status as one of the most important stops on the international SUP calendar.
Women’s Sprint Division
The women’s sprint final delivered one of the most exciting races of the weekend, with Alba Frey (Spain) and MarieCarmen Rivera (Puerto Rico) going head-to-head in a fiercely contested showdown. Rivera, the two-time EuroTour champion, appeared to have the race under control early, but Frey executed a sharper buoy turn that proved decisive. The Canary Islands paddler capitalized on that moment to secure the win and claim the opening title of the 2026 season.
Cecilia Pampinella (Italy) rounded out the podium after posting the fastest time among the remaining finalists, edging out Juliette Du Haime (Argentina) in fourth. Spain’s Alexia Soto completed the top five, continuing her best EuroTour performance to date after recording the fastest quarterfinal time.
Top 10 Women
Alba Frey (ESP) – Starboard
Marie Carmen Rivera (PUR) – Infinity
Cecilia Pampinella (ITA) – Starboard
Juliette Du Haime (ARG) – Infinity
Alexia Soto (ESP) – NSP
Lisa Venturelli (ITA) – NSP
Maddie Leblanc (CAN) – Flying Fish Board Co
Jojo Karst (GER) – SIC Maui
Elin Van der Sar (NED) – Lightboard Corp
Marin Hoeboer (NED) – Langusso Paddles Europe
Men’s Sprint Division
In the men’s sprint, Manuel Hoyuela (Spain) continued his dominance in the indoor format, successfully defending his title with a back-to-back victory. Hoyuela was pushed hard in the final by Riccardo Rossi (Italy), who delivered an impressive return to competition following injury and academic commitments, proving he is once again a force at the top level.
Vadim Korobov (Lithuania) impressed throughout the event, posting some of the fastest heats of the entire competition to earn third place. Romanian youngster Matei Barbu finished fourth, marking his first EuroTour podium after eliminating several top-ranked names along the way. Spain’s Unax Etxeberria completed the top five, excelling in his preferred indoor sprint format with strong technical execution.
Top 10 Men
Manuel Hoyuela (ESP) – Sunova
Riccardo Rossi (ITA) – Infinity
Vadim Korobov (LTU) – Lightboard Corp
Matei Barbu (ROU) – NSP
Unax Etxeberria (ESP) – Sunova
Sergio Cantoral (ESP) – NSP
Campbell Carter (USA) – Infinity
Ivan de Frutos (ESP) – Starboard
Tommaso Pampinella (ITA) – SIC Maui
Jorge Soler (ESP) – BE Watersports
Kids & Juniors Division
The Kids and Juniors divisions embraced the dual sprint format with enthusiasm, producing a series of tight, high-energy battles that kept spectators engaged throughout the sessions. The future of the sport was on full display, highlighted by the youngest competitor of the event—just six years old—taking to the course with confidence and determination.
The future | Photo: Mario Entero / Euro Tour
Event Partners & Acknowledgements
A special thanks goes to boot Düsseldorf for providing a world-class platform that allowed athletes to showcase stand-up paddling to a new and diverse audience. The event’s success was also made possible by the professionalism and dedication of Andrea, Marco, Laura, Lisa, and the entire team at Höppner Kommunikation, whose efforts ensured a seamless experience for athletes and fans alike.
With the first stop of the season complete, attention now turns to the rest of the EuroTour 2026 calendar, set to be announced very soon.
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