SA's ocean racing surfski paddler Kira Bester wins Villajoyosa World Cup

JOHANNESBURG –   South Africa’s Kira Bester is the reigning world champion in the women’s overall surfski titles at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup in Villajoyosa, Spain.

Bester powered to victory in 1:16:40.221 on Mediterranean waters.

Fellow South African, Jade Wilson, was the winner of the women’s U23 crown and was Bester’s closest challenger for the overall title, placing second in 1:21:02.152.

Third place went to Spanish paddler Thais Delrieux, who crossed the finish line in 1:21:37.010.

Known as the EuroChallenge, this year’s edition of the annual event attracted more than 230 paddlers from all over the world.

In April, Bester was named national champion after winning the race from Simon’s Town to Fish Hoek to claim the South African SS1 Ocean Racing Championship.

In 2024, she cemented her place among the world’s top paddlers when she won both the Open Ladies and U23 titles at the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships.

In the men’s competition, South Africa’s Ulvard Hart bagged bronze in 1:07:07.188 as compatriot Kenneth Rice came fourth in 1:07:18.384.

The overall first place was taken by Germany’s Gordan Harbrecht, who made history last year when he became the first European paddler to be crowned world champion.

The German athlete sealed gold in 1:06:26.320 as he got the better of Portugal’s Bernardo Pereira, who won the men’s U23 title and finished second overall in 1:06:52.768.

The World Cup served as a rehearsal for the 2026 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championship, which will be held at the Spanish venue.

It also helped paddlers gear up for this year’s World Championships, which will take place from 17 to 19 October, in Durban.