European SUP League Rankings Updated After Poland as Title Race Heats Up

Donato Freens strengthens his grip on the men’s standings, while Alba Frey climbs to the top of the women’s ranking heading into the decisive final two events of the 2026 season.

The European SUP League (ESL) has released its updated overall rankings following the conclusion of the ODRA SUP CUP in Rybnik, Poland, the fourth stop of the 2026 season. With four events now completed, the championship picture is becoming clearer, although both the men’s and women’s titles remain wide open ahead of the final two events in Spain and Portugal.

The standings now include results from Santa Pola, Taranto, Zurich and Poland, marking the end of the first half of the season before the summer break.

Donato Freens Extends Overall Lead

Dutch standout Donato Freens continues to lead the men’s Overall Open standings with 2,501 points, further extending his advantage after another impressive weekend in Poland. Freens claimed victory in the Technical Race and backed it up with a runner-up finish in the 200-meter Sprint, once again proving his versatility across multiple race formats.

One of the biggest movers in the rankings is Spain’s Sergio Cantoral, who jumps into second place overall with 1,940 points after finishing second in the Technical Race and taking victory in the Sprint final.

Italy’s Filippo Mercuriali remains firmly in championship contention in third place with 1,869 points, thanks to consistent finishes in both Polish events.

Rising Spanish talent Rubén Cantoral continues his breakthrough season, moving into fourth overall with 1,474 points, while fellow Spaniard Aarón Sánchez rounds out the Top 5 with 1,352 points.

Alba Frey Takes Control of the Women’s Championship

The biggest change in the women’s standings comes at the top, where Alba Alonso Frey moves into first place with 2,151 points.

The Spanish paddler enjoyed a flawless performance in Poland by winning both the Technical Race and the Sprint, collecting the maximum available points and overtaking the previous championship leader.

Another impressive performance came from Nuria Chiquero, whose pair of second-place finishes elevated her to second overall with 1,656 points, establishing herself as one of the strongest contenders for the 2026 title.

Former series leader Cecilia Pampinella now sits third with 1,302 points, followed by Italy’s Sveva Sabato with 1,222 points. Spain’s experienced Espe Barreras completes the current Top 5 on 1,187 points.

Consistency Proving Key in 2026

The updated standings highlight how important consistency has become under the European SUP League’s scoring format.

The Overall Open Championship combines results from the circuit’s three official disciplines, with Technical Race accounting for 40% of the points, while Long Distance and Sprint each contribute 30%. This format rewards athletes capable of performing across every racing discipline rather than specialists in a single event.

The rankings also showcase the emergence of a new generation of talent. Junior athletes such as Rubén Cantoral and Nuria Chiquero are not only dominating their respective age divisions but are now challenging the sport’s established elite in the Overall Open standings.

Isla Cristina to Launch the Championship Finale

Following the summer break, the European SUP League resumes from September 4–6 with the European SUP Race Isla Cristina on Spain’s Costa de la Luz.

The fifth stop of the season will feature the 200-meter Sprint and Technical Race, offering €6,000 in prize money across both disciplines. The event also marks Isla Cristina’s debut as a host venue on the European circuit.

With only one more stop remaining after Spain—the season finale in Sesimbra, Portugal—every point earned in Isla Cristina will carry significant weight. While Freens and Frey currently hold the advantage, the championship remains far from decided, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the 2026 European SUP League season.