An 18-year-old Christian Andersen (DEN) first made his mark on the international stage with a win in the Junior Boys SUP Technical Race in Surf City El Salvador in 2019. Today, at 24, Andersen claimed his first men’s World Title in the division where he has twice previously reached the Final, including last year at home in Denmark. Andersen follows in the footsteps of his former teammate and mentor, Casper Steinfath (DEN) who won the inaugural two editions of SUP Sprint Race in 2016 and 2017. Also winning the silver medal in the SUP Technical Race, Andersen truly found his form in 2025.
“Wow, I don’t even know what to say, I’m speechless right now,” Andersen said. “I’ve sacrificed so much to get here, and so much of my life has gone into the sport. I just believed in it today, and I knew I could do it. It’s a very emotional moment for me, coming here six years ago and winning a gold medal as a junior, and then coming back six years later as a grown man and taking the gold again. I think mentally I’ve grown so much, and I feel way more mentally strong these days. I’ve had the skill and I’ve had the level for a while, but there’s just something missing where I was always so happy to be in the Final, almost too happy. And if you’re happy to be there, you’re not really searching for that win in the same way as I am now. So yeah, it’s very special.”
Andersen and Sergio Cantoral (ESP) opened the Final neck-and-neck, rounding separate buoys almost in sync before a stumble from Cantoral allowed Andersen to break away from the pack. Cantoral recovered quickly, but not before Ethan Bry (FRA) slipped into second. A helpful bump pushed Bry and Cantoral forward while Andersen and Nicolò Ricco (ITA) were slowed by a current, keeping the chasers in lock-step but still unable to reel in the Dane. Bry’s clean dismount secured him the silver medal, with Cantoral taking bronze and Ricco earning copper.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“What an incredible event and an amazing return to El Salvador. Some of you will remember that in 2019 we held our first ISA event here. With only 60 days to prepare, they made this event happen. They know how to do things — well, fast, and with heart.
“I want to thank the government, the people, the sponsors, the organizers, and all the volunteers of El Salvador. And, of course, congratulations to all the teams and medalists. What a country, what a week, and what an incredible addition to the world of surfing destinations. Muchas gracias, El Salvador.”
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