KAROLL GARCIA AND JASON SUTTLES TRIUMPH IN HAVANA AT THE 3RD STAGE OF THE WORLD SKATE MARATHON TOUR

Speed

11 December 2024

As this year's season comes to an end, a stunning lineup of world champions, world medalists, and rising stars gathered in La Havana for an unforgettable grand finale. The third and final stage of the World Skate Marathon Tour in Havana was all about passion, unity, and a love for inline skating. Skaters of all ages, from kids to masters, came from 16 countries to take part in this exciting event. The streets of Havana came alive as Cuban children joined international athletes, skating together and sharing the joy of the sport. This incredible mix of talent and enthusiasm created the perfect setting for an unforgettable finale, showing how inline skating brings people together from all over the world.

Let’s get into the action:

Tactics played a crucial role in the race, with pro teams engaging a man-to-man marking to secure their positions in the overall classification. The racecourse featured a 10km lap along the long straights of the Malecón, with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, together with two challenging corners: near the Capitolio and the other in front of the iconic Grand Hotel Aston. The race was a thrilling showdown of all or nothing. A finale who took our breath away.

PRO MEN:

The decisive moves came in the second half of the race when Jason Suttles (Team Powerslide Vesmaco), Carlos Tarazona, Shea Stokes, and Mateo Rico Garcia made a successful breakaway. While, the leaders maintained their positions, controlling the pace among themselves. Due to challenging wind conditions, not all skaters could keep up with the frontrunners, who pushed the tempo to high speeds. In the finale, the skaters in the breakaway sprinted for victory, with Jason Suttles showing his strength to finish ahead of his two rivals. Following closely behind, Mateo Rico emerged as a surprise contender of the WSMT, securing a remarkable second place, while Carlos Tarazona claimed third. One minute later Andres Gomez, Nl-Premium, crossed the line solo in fourth position and right after a bigger group arrived, led by Nolan Beddiaf from FR Skates Tax Racing, who powered through a stunning sprint to claim fifth place, finishing ahead of Felix Rijhnen of Wicked Powerslide in sixth.

These results sealed Nolan Beddiaf’s triumph as the first-ever World Skate Marathon Tour champion. Felix Rijhnen took second place overall, with Mateo Rico completing the podium in third.

PRO WOMEN:

In the women's race, all the Pro Teams were out in full force for the final event of the WSMT, joined by numerous Individual Pro skaters too. A successful breakaway ultimately decided the podium for the event. Karoll Garcia from Team Powerslide Vesmaco, Maria Jose Quiroz from Colombia, Aura Quintana of the SPSPSK World Team, Fleur Veen from the DoubleFF World Team, and Leidy Vanessa Sanchez Guevara, also from Colombia, bravely broke away from the pack. As in the men’s race, the top overall contenders kept a watchful eye on each other, reserving their strength for a decisive sprint. In the breakaway, Karoll Garcia lead ahead in the final moments, raising her arms in triumph to claim victory. Aura Quintana finished in second place, while Maria Jose Quiroz Alfonso secured third. The second group’s sprint was won by Marie Depuy (Wicked Powerslide), followed by Gabriela Vargas (Arena Geisingen CCN Team), Arena Geisingen CCN Team, and Lianne Van Loon (DoubleFF World Team). In the overall standings, Gabriela Vargas triumphed as the first WSMT women’s champion, dedicating her win to her home country, Ecuador, and everyone who supported her journey. Lianne Van Loon finished second overall, with Aura Quintana taking third.