Arthur Arutkin becomes World Champion

With the APP World Title looming and only 1 event left, each of the top 5 mens riders were looking to cease their opportunity to put their name in SUP history as the 2018 APP World Tour Overall Champion. Arthur needed to overcome final obstacles in order to achieve respective World Titles. An amazing opportunity to win in front of his home crowd and seal the APP World Title with a first place win. In the midst of a stormy political weekend in Paris with protests rocking the central city.

Arthur’s run for the World Title included his coming from behind in a show of sheer determination. At the start of the season, his presence in London was felt, epecially in the Sprint races, where he fought hard but just could not best the fiery figure of Hawaii’s Kai Lenny. Arthur’s consistent effort placed him second Overall in London behind Aussie powerhouse Michael Booth.

Arriving in New York this past September, Arutkin dominated the Distance course on the historic Hudson River and claimed a first place win there. In the Sprints, his presence and power made him a lethal threat. Again, he fell just short of his goal as Connor Baxter came on in the stormy seas to surf his way to a first place finish. Arthur’s combined scores and his Overall Win in New York put him firmly in the standings in the race for a World Title.

The Paris SUP Sprints lived up to the hype with the defending World Champion Casper Steinfath making it to finals to face the top contender and points leader Arthur Arutkin in a showdown that had everyone on their toes in anticipation. In the Long Distance Elite Race, he finished 4th, so Overall 1st and Tour Champ 2018!

Congratulations to Arthur Arutkin – 2018 APP WORLD TOUR CHAMPION!

Final Results APP World Tour 2018 & Paris:

1st Arthur Arutkin
2nd Michael Booth
3rd Connor Baxter