Japan’s Tomoyasu Murabayashi (or just “Tomo”) has won today’s LMA Magic Race in New Caledonia, with the wind turning on to produce a cracking downwind run in paradise.

Tomo, part of the Starboard International Dream Team, held out the experienced locals for just over two hours to cross the line in a time of 2:01:14, which was a minute quicker than Franck Muller. There was also a great effort from Clement Colmas, who at just 13 years of age (and paddling a 12’6) came home for third place a mere two minutes off the lead.

Miranda Barretteau was the fastest woman across the line on a 12’6 in 2:26:42, followed by Marie-Benedicte Roger and Christine Besson on their 14 footers.

The LMA Magic Race is a 24km downwind run from the capital of Nouméa, heading north through the lagoon and along the beautiful coast of New Caledonia. The wind was firing at 25-30 knots, creating some epic conditions as you can see from the photos.

I did this downwinder myself when I was in New Caledonia back in March, so I can say from first hand experience it’s an amazing run. New Caledonia may just be the best kept secret in the world of paddling: Beautiful, warm, blue waters and a trade wind that seemingly blows like clockwork.

The island is also home to a very strong local paddling group (including a certain Titouan Puyo).

It’s a beautiful place and an awesome spot for some downwinding, so definitely add New Caledonia to your stand up paddling bucket list…

Scroll down below the pics for FULL RESULTS

RESULTS: 2014 LMA Magic Race, New Caledonia

#	Name	Time	Class	#	Division	#
1	Tomoyasu Murabayashi	2:01:14	Men's 14'	1	19-39	1
2	Franck Muller	2:02:28	Men's 14'	2	40+	1
3	Clement Colmas	2:03:28	Men's 12'6	1	14 & under	1
4	Bruno Masson	2:06:00	Men's 14'	3	40+	2
5	Jean-Louis Colmas	2:09:03	Men's 14'	4	40+	3
6	Liam Golis Tuyen	2:11:01	Men's 14'	5	15-18	1
7	David Anewy	2:13:54	Men's 12'6	2	19-39	1
8	Erwan Bouvier	2:14:52	Men's 14'	6	40+	4
9	Mario Tranier	2:15:32	Men's 14'	7	40+	5
10	Francois Levasseur	2:15:47	Men's 14'	8	40+	6
11	Jeramie Mandin	2:16:21	Unlimited	1	19-39	1
12	Michel-Pierre Sempere	2:21:57	Men's 14'	9	40+	7
13	Olivier Garioud	2:23:25	Men's 14'	10	40+	8
14	Benjamin Claveau	2:23:54	Men's 12'6	3	19-39	2
15	Olivier Chartier	2:26:25	Men's 12'6	4	19-39	3
16	Miranda Barretteau	2:26:42	Women's 12'6	1	19-39	1
17	Axel Lux	2:29:41	Men's 14'	11	40+	9
18	Theau Gontard	2:30:07	Men's 12'6	5	19-39	4
19	Marie-Benedicte Roger	2:31:03	Women's 14'	1	40+	1
20	Christine Besson	2:31:59	Women's 14'	2	40+	2
21	Pehi Aniamioi	2:33:07	Men's 14'	12	19-39	2
22	Johnny Lasiman	2:39:54	Men's 14'	13	40+	10
23	Michel Hauata	2:40:41	Men's 12'6	6	19-39	5
24	Lionel Radigue	2:41:23	Men's 14'	14	40+	11
25	Nancy Muller	2:43:19	Women's 14'	3	40+	3
26	Fabrice Chaminade	2:47:38	Men's 14'	15	40+	12
27	Damien Marmey	2:48:23	Men's 12'6	7	14 & under	2
28	Christophe Nguyen	2:50:56	Men's 12'6	8	40+	1
29	Nancy Tuyen	2:51:21	Women's 14'	4	40+	4
30	Laurent Waheo	2:53:40	Men's 14'	16	40+	13
31	Emilie Simonet	2:54:15	Women's 12'6	2	40+	1
32	Stephane Amatredjo	2:54:49	Men's 12'6	9	19-39	6
33	Hugues Thiss	2:55:04	Men's 12'6	10	40+	2
34	Remi Guieba	2:55:07	Men's 12'6	11	19-39	7
35	Isabelle Faget	3:01:52	Women's 12'6	3	40+	2
36	Vanessa Costagliola	3:02:15	Women's 12'6	4	19-39	2
37	Nathalie Gringore	3:06:32	Women's 14'	5	40+	5
38	Chloe Tiennot	3:09:20	Women's 12'6	5	19-39	3
39	Sonia Dumas	3:24:39	Women's 14'	6	40+	6
40	Francoise Marmey	3:33:28	Women's 12'6	6	40+	3
41	Jean-Philippe Chabal	3:36:03	Men's 12'6	12	40+	3