US 2012 Wildwater team chosen in Kentucky

Eligibility for the 2012 US Wildwater team was determined in Elkhorn City on Sunday, October 16 from 33 competitors in four categories.  Boaters from coast to coast, Canada and France raced in timed events over the weekend to take honors.

Known as one of the friendliest destinations in American whitewater, the Russell Fork river again provided perfect conditions for racers and dedicated boaters alike. And as the bumper sticker says, “It’s always sunny in Elkhorn City.” Representatives of USA Canoe and Kayak, Kentucky Sports Authority and the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council worked together to make sure the weekend was a success both for the race organizers and for the local economy.

Trials participants raced in two events: the Classic, a mile long course through downtown Elkhorn City and the Sprint, a less than quarter mile course a mile upstream of town. The single heat of the Classic was Saturday afternoon, the two heats of the Sprint were Sunday morning/afternoon.  Spectators from all over the region lined the banks of the river both days to watch the unique racing boats glide through the choppy waters of the Fork.

The team selected to compete for the US in one or both events in the World Championships by category were:

• K-1 Emmanuel Beauchard, Kurt Smithgall, Jeremy DiCasolo, Chris Norbury, Terry Smith, and Jeremy Rogers
• K-1(W) Tierney O’Sullivan, Marin Millar, Haley Popp, Joetta LaBadie, and Jennie Goldberg
• C-1 Tom Wier, Jack Ditty, John Pinyerd, and Tom Popp
• C-2 Colton Popp and Bryson Popp

If you ‘d like to see more pictures from the USACK Whitewater Team trials and from the rest of the October whitewater season on the Russell Fork, go to http://www.russellfork.info/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=14