ICF World CUP Tahiti: Victory, Progress and a New Tahitian Chapter for Iloha Eychenne

Iloha Eychenne claimed an impressive victory in the women’s race at stop #2 of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World CUP Tahiti, finishing well ahead of the rest of the field after 23 kilometres of open ocean and lagoon paddling. But for the waterwoman, 3 x Va’a World Champion among other accolades, the result represented far more than simply standing on the top step of the podium. It marked an outstanding progression on one of Tahiti’s most iconic downwind courses and the beginning of a new chapter as an official representative of Tahiti on the international stage. With a busy period ahead, Eychenne’s victory comes at an important moment in her career. Her first ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championship awaits in Spain this October, before the sport’s biggest stage arrives on her home waters in Tahiti in 2027.

Congratulations on your victory Iloha! Are you happy with your race?

Yes, I’m really happy. I had a lot of fun out there. I think it was one of my best surfski downwind races.” I consider that I am still a beginner in surfski and I can say this was my best surfski downwind ever. I did this course in 2023 for the first time at the Te Aito and I hulied 11 times. Today, my biggest victory wasn’t only crossing the finish line first. It was seeing how much I’ve improved on this course as I didn’t capsize once!!”

Racing her own race

The 23-kilometre course offered a mix of conditions, from flat water at the start to long downwind glides before a technical finish through the Rautirare pass in Mataiea. Rather than focusing on her competitors, Eychenne stayed committed to her own strategy.

“I knew the start would be important because you want to position yourself well among the other paddlers. After that, I wasn’t really paying attention to where everyone else was. I simply followed my own line and enjoyed surfing the bumps.” For Eychenne, the race became more about rhythm than tactics. “I stayed in my own bubble, listening to my music, enjoying the ocean and treating it like my own playground.”

Looking ahead to a home World Championship

This ICF World CUP also served as a test event for the 2027 Pacific Games and the 2027 ICF World Championships,  two major events which will be held on the same waters, respectively in July and September next year. Eychenne believes the competition next year will be significantly stronger. “We’ll have many of the world’s best women coming to Tahiti, so we need to be very well prepared. But it’s exciting because we’ll have the opportunity to race at home.”

A new chapter representing Tahiti

Before turning her attention to the 2027 World Championships on home waters in Tahiti, Iloha Eychenne has another major milestone ahead this season: the 2026 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain. Taking place in October, the event will mark her first-ever World Championships — an important first step before the sport’s biggest stage comes to Tahiti the following year.

However, this year’s campaign comes with an important change. “I’ve officially changed my sporting nationality. Now I represent Tahiti in both SUP and Surfski and I will be competing at the Va’a Sprint World Championship for France in two weeks for the last time“. The announcement marks an important milestone in her career and reflects her commitment to representing French Polynesia on the international stage.

FULL RESULTS OF THE ICF CANOE OCEAN RACING WORLD CUP TAHITI

>> Our full video interview with Iloha Eychenne in english is available here

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