The launch of the historic U.S. Cup, a Qualifying Series powered by the WPA for the APP World Tour, is sandwiched this week in North Carolina between two historic events: The Salt Life Carolina ProAm and the legendary Carolina Cup. This year, the APP World Tour is proud to be a Media Sponsor of both events to and launch the APP World Tour's 2019 Qualifying Series to further up the ante on the competition.
Izzi Gomez and Mo Freitas Capture Wins at Carolina ProAm
The Carolina ProAm, featured on April 20th -21st, 2019 in Wrightsville Beach, showcased world class talent in SUP Surfing. Mo Freitas, Collin McPhillips and Fisher Grant alongside of Izzi Gomez, April Zilg and Meg Wygal each unleashed progressive styles and talents to mark the kick-off of the SUP Surfing season and the APP's Qualifying Event for the Tour ahead.
Salt Life Carolina ProAm Provides Talent & the Start to SUP Surf Competitive Season
Izzi Gomez shined bright at this year's Carolina ProAm, expressing her dynamic cutbacks, smooth carves and nose rides to win the Overall title for the women and claim the Haywood Newkirk, Sr. trophy for the top place finisher.
Mo Freitas performed with his usual progressive style, edging out fiery Fisher Grant in the Final Round with a 360' off the lip that placed him firmly on top of the podium.
"The Carolina ProAm this past weekend was amazing," says Mo. "I've been coming to this event since 2015 and I always love coming back to it. The paddling community in Wrightsville is super strong due to its multiple waterways and the line up of fun sandbars facing the Atlantic. I always look forward to coming back as people here are passionate about the sport. You can feel that at this event.
The surf event is always scheduled a week before the Carolina Cup so it's a no-brainer for me to come and do both. I'd suggest to everyone who is into the sport to make it to next year's Carolina ProAm!"
2019 Carolina Cup Launches APP World Tour's U.S. Cup Competition & Qualifying Series
The Carolina Cup on April 26-27, provides us with a broad spectrum of 2019 SUP racing's talent. Athletes from all over the globe are gathered to test their mettle in the 3.5-mile Harbor Island, 6.5-mile Money Island and the legendary 13-mile Graveyard courses.
APP top tour athletes Michael Booth, Connor Baxter, Fiona Wylde, and Annie Reickhart will line up on the beach alongside the powerhouses of Travis Grant, Tituoan Puyo, local favorite and legend April Zilg, and many others.
Injured champion Candice Appleby will step off the start line at the Carolina Cup this year in order to provide commentary to accompany the APP World Tour's LIVE FEED BROADCAST with WPA CEO Byron Kurt. You can tune in from anywhere in the world on the APP Facebook page and YouTube channels.
What is the U.S. Cup?
The APP World Tour is proud to launch the U.S. Cup, the signature leg of the APP World Qualifying Series powered by the WPA at this year's Carolina Cup.
The U.S. Cup holds six distinct flagship events wherein athletes accumulate points towards qualifying for next year's 2020 APP World Tour. This year, included in the U.S. Cup competition are: Carolina Cup, Salt Life Columbus Cup, Olukai Ho'olaulea, SIC Columbia Gorge Challenge, New York SUP Open and Battle of the Bay.
The Top 5 Men and Top 5 Women from the U.S. Cup will qualify directly for the 2020 APP World Tour, with spaces opening up to the next in line for athletes outside of the Top 5 should existing and qualified APP World Tour Athletes finish in the Top 5 on the U.S. Cup.
In other words, you TOO can compete to qualify for next year's APP World Tour! This move opens up the spectrum of the World Tour to include up and coming talent and those who put the work in to get recognized on a global level. We salute you and wish you speed in the coming months ahead.
Salt Life Columbus Cup: May 4th, 2019
Next stop on the Qualifying Series after this weekend's Carolina Cup is the Salt Life Columbus Cup in Columbus, Georgia on the weekend of the 4th - 5th May. These two events together provide a perfect Opening 10 days to the 2019 Racing Season and launch the U.S. Open qualifying series for the APP World Tour.
Both events will be broadcast LIVE at www.appworldtour.com and on facebook @appworldtour and for more information on the US Cup please go to www.appworldtour.com