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Competitors in the Stand Up World Series will balttle it out in conditions like this!

PATAGONIA, South Chile - With a ground breaking and biggest ever $9,000 first place for any SUP event in history, the Aragas Magallenes Paddle Challenge presented by Stand Up Latino and Big Foot Adventure Company will kick off this Friday with an epic long distance in front of the incredible glacier in the region of Patagonia, south Chile.The long distance will then be complimented by the World Series Sprint course the following day, as athletes will battle it out for the crown at this first prestigious stop on the 2013 Stand Up World Series.

1. Big names to battle it out at Stop 1 of the World Series

Current World Champion Kai Lenny (Naish) will be looking to pick up where he left of at the Turtle Bay Finals in October wearing the yellow jersey coming into this groundbreaking 1st event for 2013. However, the now famous rivalry will also pick back up again, as fellow Mauian and Champion Racer Connor Baxter (Starboard) will be looking to reassert his presence on the World Series and recapture the coveted top spot that he held through the middle of last year.

Also taking part in this Chilean adventure is the Danish phenom Casper Steinfath (Naish) will be looking to continue his incredible roll after his 3rd place in the World Series Finals in October and coming off his win in the ISA event in Peru earlier this month. Casper is a serious force to be reckoned with and is looking to achieve great things in 2013.

Another top contender and stand out character is the ever energetic Zane Schweitzer (Starboard), who will be looking to improve on his strong finish in 2012 and consolidate on his overall positioning in both surf and racing disciplines of the sport.

2. Brazil to have a strong presence in Magallenes

As the first stop on the South American leg of the Stand Up World Series, we are seeing a strong level of participation from Brazil, with leading racer Luiz Carlos being joined by young star Vinicius Martins and Bruno Pitanga amongst others. These athletes will be looking for a strong finish here in Chile to contribute towards their all important 3 event results in the lead up to the Turtle Bay Finals in October.Athletes' best 3 event results, plus the Finals in October will count towards their overall ranking in 2013, making the race for the Title the most exciting yet, and every event count.

3. Local athletes to be represented in force in Chile

There will be a strong local presence at the first leg of the Stand Up World Series for Chilean athletes, led by Arnaud Frennet (Naish) and Rafael Tapia, both leading racers in the Chilean SUP community. They will be looking at a strong result at home in the Aragas Magallenes Paddle Challenge, so stay tuned and watch out for any dramatic upsets here at Stop 1 of the Stand Up World Series.
 

4. Stay tuned for highlights and news from Patagonia

Whatever happens, this event will be groundbreaking and dramatic: the backdrop, the conditions, the elevation, the prize-money, the selection of the world's best: so many factors make this event so unique that you will want to tune in and watch the action as it unfolds. While due to the remote nature of the location, a live broadcast is not possible, we will be delivering highlights to you from both days of racing, but also the trip as a whole, as history is made in this remote region of South Chile.
 

5. Coming up next

The Abu Dhabi All Stars Invitational - Coming up next is the Waterman League's Abu Dhabi All Stars Invitational, presented by Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, UAE SUP and Wadi Adventure. From the 3rd - 7th April, the world's best will be taken on a cultural and action packed adventure like no other and battle it out in the groundbreaking environments that only Abu Dhabi can provide. The Invites have been issued and the world's best confirmed: more info will follow this week at www.standupworldtour.com and the forthcoming microsite for the live broadcast and all other elements of the Abu Dhabi All Stars.....stay tuned....

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