The fourth edition of the Sparviero SUP Challenge – Memorial Sara D’Apolito has just come to a close in Punta Ala. The event, the fifth stop of the FISSW Italian SUP Race and Paddleboard Category Championship, was organised by Punta Ala Sup Experience ASD in the waters in front of PuntAla Camp & Resort.
The weekend featured three SUP Race disciplines – Sprint, Relay and Distance – as well as the Paddleboard event, and delivered two truly intense days of racing, with changing weather conditions that put both athletes and organisers to the test. One of the key features of the event was the strong presence of young and very young athletes, racing alongside competitors from the different categories.
The first day, Saturday 6 June, was dedicated to the Sprint Race and the team Relay. Athletes took to the water with a north-westerly wind and formed waves, conditions that made the races hard-fought from the very first category starts. As the day went on, the wind increased significantly, raising the technical level of the competition and making the afternoon Relay particularly spectacular: teams of four athletes, one lap each on the course, with the changeover taking place on land through a run on the beach and a tap on the teammate’s shoulder before the next start.
In the Sprint rankings, Riccardo Leonardi won the Under 12 men’s category and Viola Mandoloni the Under 12 women’s category; Fabio Salinari and Silvia Adamo took victory in the Under 14 categories; Alessandro Scarcia and Preziosa Chiarelli won among the Under 16s; Giulio Lazzarini and Claudia Postiglione claimed the Under 18 categories. Among the Seniors, victory went to Nicolò Vincenzo Ricco and Cecilia Pampinella, while Reza Nasiri and Samantha Migani won the Master categories. Roberto Mandoloni took victory among the Gran Masters, while Andrea Rossi won the Paddleboard event.
The Relay was won by Italian SUP League, with Lazzarini, Stefan, Della Chiesa and De Stefano. ASD SUP Academy Taranto finished second, ASD Jack Yacht Club Marina di Salivoli third, and Spas ASD fourth.
Sunday 7 June was Distance Race day. The morning started with ideal conditions: light and steady wind, no waves and a perfect race area for tackling the longest and most complete event on the programme. Three courses were set for the Distance Race, based on the different categories. The longest course covered the area from Casetta Civinini to the tip of Cala Civette, towards Cala Violina, offering a show that could be seen along the entire stretch of coastline.
After the Under 12 and Under 14 races, however, conditions changed sharply around midday. The north-westerly wind, direction 270°, rose above 15 knots and a significant wave formed, clearly visible even from the shore. For the Under 16, Under 18, Senior, Master, Gran Master and Kahunas categories, as well as for the lone Paddleboard athlete, the race became not only a technical challenge, but also a major test of physical endurance.
The demanding conditions required focus, effort management and the ability to read wind, current and sea state. There were some retirements, and assistance both on the water and on land proved essential, with the support of the Red Cross and the attending doctor, who also intervened for cramps and bruises caused by repeated falls into the water. The Distance Race lasted more than three hours, confirming the toughness and technical value of the day.
In the Distance Race, category winners included Riccardo Leonardi and Viola Mandoloni among the Under 12s, Marco Moretti and Silvia Adamo in the Under 14 categories, Leonardo Montanari and Silvia Della Chiesa in the Under 16 categories, Gian Luca Corriero and Claudia Postiglione in the Under 18 categories, Nicolò Vincenzo Ricco and Cecilia Pampinella among the Seniors, Narciso Madeddu and Samantha Migani among the Masters, and Roberto Mandoloni among the Gran Masters. Andrea Rossi won the Paddleboard event.
After the results were posted, the day closed with the prize giving and official thanks. One of the most special moments of the weekend was the presentation of a prize offered by JLD/Infinity to Aurora Immacolata Russo Scognamiglio, the youngest athlete in the championship. Aurora, who turned 10 during the race weekend, received a special award in a moment filled with participation and applause.
The weekend was also supported by technical sponsors JLD/Infinity and RRD. JLD/Infinity contributed dedicated prizes and materials, while RRD provided its spider tent in the event area on the beach, offering athletes a valuable shaded area during race days.
The race area in front of the PuntAla Camp & Resort beach once again created a selective competition, bringing out the athletes’ skills and giving spectators a continuous show from the shoreline.
Thanks go to all the members of the jury: Erika Mori, Anera Niksic, Roberto De Stefano, Roberto Bersani and President Francesco Cavicchioli; to FISSW Technical Director Riccardo Santori; to all the RIB drivers, who were particularly appreciated by the jury for their professionalism and quick response during interventions; to the Red Cross and the attending doctor; to the President of ASD Punta Ala Sup Experience, Thomas A. Daddi; to PuntAla Camp & Resort and in particular to Ristorante Bar Isolotto, which welcomed and supported the participants.
Further thanks go to the Municipalities of Scarlino and Castiglione della Pescaia and to the Harbour Offices of Santo Stefano and Piombino for their support of the event.
For Centro Velico Punta Ala, the Sparviero SUP Challenge – Memorial Sara D’Apolito remains, above all, a way to remember Sara, athlete and instructor who tragically passed away in 2021, keeping alive her energy, her smile and the passion she was able to share with everyone who approached this sport.
Here are all the photos from the weekend
Until the next edition.
