So everyone knows the score, the dust has settled, hangovers are starting to improve, and it’s time to move on from the greatest show in sports. This years 2010 green race was another awesome event. The entire week of paddling is my favorite of the year for sure. Everyone is pumped, learning new lines, anxious about race day, and excited to party. This year the title is leaving with Mike Dawson to New Zealand but he has already promised to return next year to defend himself. I couldn’t believe how many people were in the gorge. From “Go Left,” down you could barely hear the water beneath your boat over the roar of the spectators. The only negative words I heard all day was there just wasn’t enough carnage. People are really stepping up their game. In the top 40 racers there were ties all over the results page. Also, this year had more long boats than seasons past showing that the kayak industry understands the need for long fast race boats. The Stinger is labeled as this years fastest boat with two of the top three podium spots. I wish i hadn’t paddled the stinger so I could have an excuse for my embarrassing post of a time. It just means next year i’ll have to stay healthy during the week of training and put it together when it really matters.
If you were there this year, and are anything like me, you will definitely be there again next year. The Green Race is a special event that I can’t think of a reason to miss out on. Over a hundred athletes, thousands of spectators, no prize money, just pure competition. Here are some of the photos from race day. I’ll keep going through and adding more. If you want a picture just message me here on my site and I can reply with some higher resolution pics. I have thousands of pictures for the week that i’ll be putting together soon so come back.
These boys were up early to make sure the after party went off with awesome food.
Hale’s speech got everyone fired up, despite the cold
Jules ready to kill
Those aren’t brown claws, the hand paddlers of the Green
Looking up at the crowd after my run
Meg hiked in a bag of wine,
Exactly what i needed at the finish.
My favorite picture of the day.
There were a few backwards lines to be had
but Gorilla was fairly kind this day.
It seems more people had issues with Go Left this year than Gorilla. Here is Corey Volt enjoying himself after a swim at go left. My ribs are going to be sore for a while from my run-in with it earlier in the week.
It was cold
The people are what make this event so awesome
White pants in the gorge?
Isaac on his way to winning short boat class
Adrianne killin it for the women
Passing
Ben Fraker, C1 killer, didn’t let breaking his T-grip off his paddle hold him back. He finished the race and ran Sunshine with what was left of his paddle. The C1 division really gave-er this year with some good carnage too.
Chris Young cam flying off the left of Sunshine. After i took this pic he told me that he hadn’t picked up his kayak since 2008 until friday before the race. My new hero. He said next year he’d have a long boat for sure.
Butter put in some serious time trying to help get this boat out.
Greg Gerrard, might not have been on his line but wanted to make sure the crowd was having a good time
well thats it for now. it’s all still such a blur from waking up sunday, driving 16 hours to be back at school today and planning already for next year.
