Bittersweet Booth left seeking more…

- By Lauren Barley

Michael Booth finished 4^th overall in the 2017 Pacific Paddle Games held last weekend in Doheny State Beach, California.

The Pacific Paddle Games is the biggest contest in SUP racing and consists of the best paddlers in the world battling it out for the title.

Michael placed 2^nd in the long distance race held on the Saturday and 7^th in the technical race on Sunday, saying his distance race went to plan and whilst he felt strong in the technical race, it wasn’t the result he hoped for.

“I couldn’t get away early in the distance race, so instead I tried to dictate pace while conserving energy which worked considerably well in my favour,” he said.

With the same three big names racing for the finish line again this year, Michael said the competition was tough. Connor Baxter took the win in the distance race whilst Danny was “hot on my heals at the end”, said Booth who finished just in front of Ching.

In the technical race, Michael said it was the first PPG he felt strong and consistent in and was confident against his competition. However after a solid effort in the semi-final, the three races prior to the final took their toll on him.

“I was a bit gassed and was hurting early on in the race, I knew it wasn’t going to be my day”.

Although a top 3 finish was Michael’s ultimate goal for the technical race, a 7^th place finish was still his best result to date in this particular race.

Michael speaks of his weekend as “bittersweet”, with his results being a big turn around from the World Championships which were recently held in Dana Point, although he was left still wanting more.

“I guess it’s always a positive thing coming out of race wanting more, if you still want to do better, it means there is improvement to be made, and that isn’t always a bad thing to necessarily want”.

Michael finished a close 4^th overall (equal third without a tie breaker) in the 2017 PPG.

“It’s amazing how it can all be so close after two very brutal and different races. I am stoked to have learnt a lot from this years PPG and I’ll certainly be hungry and coming back for more next year”, he said.

Michael was awarded Breakthrough Performer Of the Year at the SUPMAG Awards last week and says with just a few more races to go this year, he’s excited to see what’s left in the tank.

“I’ve had an awesome weekend racing in California, now I’m looking forward to test out some unlimiteds in my final few races of the year”.

Michael will next race in the Japan cup held in Chigaski on the 14^th October.