25 days ago
Co Creator: 
3
3
Posted On: September 22nd 2026, 05:56 pm
Tagged Users:
The 2026 World Standard Aquabike Championship is (nearly) here. 🌍 🏊 🚴
It was September 2023 when Pontevedra held the second ever World Standard Aquabike Championship, following the event’s debut in Abu Dhabi. Three years ago, 340 athletes took to the start line. This year, almost 500 athletes are on the start list.
With a swim in the tidal Lérez River and hilly (and most likely busy) out-and-back bike course, the route is sure to be an interesting one.
Weather looks promising for Saturday - 26°C and a light wind - but heavy thunderstorms and rain on Sunday. We’ll keep our fingers crossed the rain doesn’t come sooner than expected.
On to the pre-race favourites.
All top 5 men in the current Aquabike World Ranking will be competing in Pontevedra. Tommy NIELSEN finished 3rd - exactly 2 minutes behind the winner, after serving a 2 minute penalty - in Banyoles. The winner of that race, Paul VANOTTI is also competing.
Last year’s world long distance winner - crowned on these streets - Igor FRANKO and long-time rankings leader Frank ERK are also likely to be near the front.
There are several names you may not be so familiar with looking to get on the podium, the likes of Irishman Martin MIZGAJSKI and Brit Ross HOSKING. These men will be making their international debut, but have had strong national performances, as have American Tiago DEPAULA SOUZA and Canadian William THRIFT.
Who’ll win? Don’t know. But we’re pretty sure it will be a close men’s race.
The women’s race is likely to be shaped by the Brits and, somewhat surprisingly, Canadians, according to our pre-race analysis. Kerry HICKSON has a comfortable lead in the rankings, and will be making her international debut.
American Stephanie OECHSNER has won all the championship events she has entered, so will be a tough woman to beat.
Canada’s leading contender is Andrea DAMIANI, followed by the likes of Alicia SLADE. Back to the Brits, and expect to see Hayley DAVIS, Victoria ROTHWELL, Catherine SEN, Ella CARTER and Pascale WEHR all in contention.
Link to full race preview in bio.
It was September 2023 when Pontevedra held the second ever World Standard Aquabike Championship, following the event’s debut in Abu Dhabi. Three years ago, 340 athletes took to the start line. This year, almost 500 athletes are on the start list.
With a swim in the tidal Lérez River and hilly (and most likely busy) out-and-back bike course, the route is sure to be an interesting one.
Weather looks promising for Saturday - 26°C and a light wind - but heavy thunderstorms and rain on Sunday. We’ll keep our fingers crossed the rain doesn’t come sooner than expected.
On to the pre-race favourites.
All top 5 men in the current Aquabike World Ranking will be competing in Pontevedra. Tommy NIELSEN finished 3rd - exactly 2 minutes behind the winner, after serving a 2 minute penalty - in Banyoles. The winner of that race, Paul VANOTTI is also competing.
Last year’s world long distance winner - crowned on these streets - Igor FRANKO and long-time rankings leader Frank ERK are also likely to be near the front.
There are several names you may not be so familiar with looking to get on the podium, the likes of Irishman Martin MIZGAJSKI and Brit Ross HOSKING. These men will be making their international debut, but have had strong national performances, as have American Tiago DEPAULA SOUZA and Canadian William THRIFT.
Who’ll win? Don’t know. But we’re pretty sure it will be a close men’s race.
The women’s race is likely to be shaped by the Brits and, somewhat surprisingly, Canadians, according to our pre-race analysis. Kerry HICKSON has a comfortable lead in the rankings, and will be making her international debut.
American Stephanie OECHSNER has won all the championship events she has entered, so will be a tough woman to beat.
Canada’s leading contender is Andrea DAMIANI, followed by the likes of Alicia SLADE. Back to the Brits, and expect to see Hayley DAVIS, Victoria ROTHWELL, Catherine SEN, Ella CARTER and Pascale WEHR all in contention.
Link to full race preview in bio.
Comments (3)
More posts
