The FIWS Italian SUP Race and Paddleboard Category Championship concludes in Punta Ala with the sixth and final stage of the circuit: the Sparviero SUP Challenge – Sara D’Apolito Memorial. An event now in its third edition, which is renewed in format but remains deeply linked to the memory of Sara D’Apolito, an athlete and instructor at the Punta Ala Sailing Center who passed away in 2021, to celebrate her passion and energy.
Stand up paddle (SUP) is a discipline that combines balance, endurance and technique, in which the athlete moves while standing on a board with the aid of a paddle. Alongside the SUP Race – with Sprint, Technical and Long Distance trials – the Paddleboard, a version in which one paddles lying down without a paddle, is also contested.
What makes this event unique is the Long Distance course: when the sea allows, the competition takes athletes to circumnavigate the Islet of the Sparrowhawk, a symbol of the Gulf of Follonica and the very identity of the event. All in the spectacular setting of the private beach of the PuntAla Camp & Resort, right in front of Elba Island.
Race Program
| Saturday, October 4 | ||
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Athletes reception and registration confirmation (checkin) | Race Office Sailing Center Punta Ala |
| 11:00 | Athlete Meeting for Race Instructions | Event Tent |
| 12:30 | Technical Race Start | Beach |
| Sunday, October 5 | ||
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Athletes reception and registration confirmation (checkin) | Race Office Sailing Center Punta Ala |
| 09:00 | Athletes’ Meeting for Race Instructions | Event Tent |
| 09:30 | Technical Race Start | Beach |
| 13:00 | Awards ceremony | Event Tent |
Photo Gallery
News
Sparrowhawk Sup Challenge Sara d’Apolito Memorial 2026 – Gallery
SPRINT RACE / Saturday, June 6 STAFFET / Saturday, June 6 AWARDS / Saturday, June 6 DISTANCE / Sunday, June 7 AWARDS / Sunday, June
Sparviero SUP Challenge – Memorial Sara D’Apolito overcomes the wind test and delivers two days of racing action in the Gulf of Follonica
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
Sparviero SUP Challenge: Punta Ala ready to welcome the fifth stop of the Italian SUP Race and Paddleboard Championship
Two days of racing, gear testing, prizes and national-level event atmosphere, with the sea and all the services of PuntAla Camp & Resort always close
Partners
Where we are
Centro Velico Punta Ala c/o Punta Ala Camp and Resort, Loc. Punta Ala snc, Castiglione della Pescaia GR Italy
Email: info@centrovelicopuntaala.it
Tel: +39 349 881 6427 – +39 349 881 6392
About Punta Ala, Italy
Beach in front of the Sailing Center.
All services at Punta Ala Camp & Resort are available to sailors. www.campingpuntala.it
During the summer months (April/October), there is a regular afternoon thermal breeze, which makes sailing pleasant and enjoyable.
The sea surface is never too rough and allows good sailing even in strong winds, protected from strong currents and big waves.