The last stage of the National Canoeing at Sea took place in Lagoa, last Saturday, October 20, with João Ruivo, from Naval de Sesimbra, becoming champion of men's seniors, and Sara Rafael, from Náutico do Litoral Alentejano, winning the senior female category.
The two athletes were already virtual national champions upon their arrival in Lagoa and, according to the Kayak Clube Castores do Arade, «they confirmed the excellent moment of form, registering yet another victory this season».
In juniors, the highlight goes to Bernardo Pereira, from Naval de Calheta da Madeira. The canoeist, recently medaled at the European Specialty, won his class, but finished in 8th absolute individual place. In the female junior category, Mariana Cabecinha, from Costa do Sol, was the winner.
The duo consisting of Emanuel Silva, an Olympic athlete, and Artur Pereira, from Sporting, won the race in SS-2. At the collective level, Cube do Mar Costa do Sol won the stage and revalidated the title. Náutico de Litoral Alentejano and Clube de Canoagem de Amora finished in second and third positions, respectively.
According to the Kayak Clube Castores do Arade, «the southeast wind conditions that were felt forced the organization of “Praias de Lagoa-Downwind” to reverse the initial route and the athletes left Senhora da Rocha beach to Praia Grande of Ferragudo, where the goal was installed».
These conditions "hindered the normal course of the competition". The waves, breaking on the beach, "made it difficult for the athletes to enter the water, causing some damage to boats and forcing them to adapt the start".
During the course, the athletes «had the opportunity to feel the force of the sea and wind and take advantage of the southeast swell, which took them to the Arade river, at an excellent speed, with the average of the first classified being just under 14 kilometers per hour”, explains the club.
List of athletes who became national champions in Lagoa:
SS2 Senior – Diogo Patrício / Nuno Nascimento Silva (CNMilfontes)
SS2 Veteran A – Fernando Encarnação / Vasco Marcos (CFOdemirense)
SS2 Junior – António Soares / Miguel Oliveira (CFOdemirense)
SS2 Veteran B – Carlos Figueiredo / Pedro André (CCMora)
SS2 Mixed – Diogo Esteves / Inês Esteves (CNLAlentejano)
SS1 Senior – João Santos (CN Sesimbra)
SS1 Junior – Bernardo Pereira (CNCalheta)
SS1 Veteran A – Artur Tomaz (CCSetúbal)
SS1 Veteran B – Carlos Cruz (CCSetúbal)
SS1 Veteran C – Délio Coutinho (CNSesimbra)
SS1 Senior Female – Sara Rafael (CNLAlentejano)
SS1 Junior Female – Mafalda Vantacich (CMCostaSol)
Absolute OC1 – Rui Reis (CNLAlentejano)
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