Mon 6 Mar 2006
The first Vancouver Island Creek Race was a lot of fun for everyone involved. The whole competition went really smooth and safe. A big thank-you goes to those racers that slowed down for safety or swimmers and assisted in their rescue. Especially Conor MacKenzie and Jakub Drnec stopped their races to assist other paddlers.
The event started with a mass start race down the Upper Gordon. The extensive flatwater in the beginning tiered paddlers enough to provide some excellent carnage in the Terminator Hole (the finish line). Word has it that 3 paddlers were stuck in that hole at the smae time. The safety was set well and everyone (including gear) was cleaned up promptly.
Next up was a training run on the Middle Gordon. The first raft descent of the “Middle” provided action for the spectators. After refuling with hot chocolate and rice crispies (Jan denied both out of sympathy with Braden and the raft crew that were waiting in the cold) we started the race on the middle section. Everyone was impressed with the fair play in the competition and the high safety standard.
We also want to thank all spectators and volunteers for coming out. Thanks to Torge Schuemann for photography and setting up the rappel. Thanks to Joe Melton for organising the shuttle and coordinating safety. Thanks to Jeff Strang, Jeff Lewis and Stephen Hunt for on-river safety.
See you on the river! Jakub and Jan
RESULTS:
Upper Gordon Race:
1. Kevin Daffe
2. Corey Boux
3. Jeff Lewis
4. Stephen Hunt
5. Jakub Drnec
6. Albert Keller
Dropped the race to assist in safety:
7. Jan Dettmer
8. Patrick Leihard
9. Conor MacKenzie
10. Braden Fandrich
11. Andrew Dunbar
Middle Gordon Race:
1. Jeff Lewis
2. Corey Boux
3. Kevin Daffe
4. Jan Dettmer
Dropped the race to assist in safety:
5. Jakub Drnec
6. Albert Keller
Overall:
1) Kevin Daffe / Jeff Lewis
Jan (left) presents the race trophy to Kevin Daffe:
