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Thursday, August 24, 2006 |
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Archives
Flathead Monster Challenge brings out the beast in paddlers Posted: Thursday, Aug 24, 2006 - 09:44:35 am PDT By FAITH MOLDAN Bigfork Eagle
The Bigfork Outrigger Canoe Club's (BOCC) Flathead Monster Canoe and Kayak Challenge resulted in tired arms and smiles Aug. 19, but no Flathead Monster. Eighteen paddlers and 15 crafts began the challenge near Creston, 3.9 miles upstream from the Sportsman bridge. Participants of both the long and short course races started at the same time. Five crafts completed the short course and the remaining 10 completed the long course. The short course consisted of paddling to and from Sportsmans bridge -- about 7.5 miles -- and the long course was 15 miles long.This year's challenge was a scaled-back version of last year, in which more than 70 paddlers competed. "The idea is to keep it going and keep the spirit there," BOCC President Jennifer Schwartz said. "Our main purpose with this event is to create something for all man/woman-powered craft to enjoy. There doesn't seem to be a race in this area especially geared toward this demographic." In the Men's Long Open, Chris Wallace and Dr. Jon Amundson made a comeback in their OC-2 outrigger. The duo from Calgary, AB, switched places in the craft at the second turn, which resulted in a better paddling rhythm and 2:32.20 finish. Bob Willits came in just before Wallace and Amundson in a time of 2:32.05. His time placed him fourth in the Men's Long Kayak. Bob Boland won that category in 2:27, followed by Seth Schmautz in 2:30. Lynda Roberts, also from Calgary, paced the Women's Long Open with her 2:34 time. Sherri Andersen finished in 2:50. Hilary and Roger Martens were the only entrants in the Mixed Long Open. The pair finished in 2:35. Roger competed last year with Mike Johnson in the Long Marathon Canoe Men's Double. Johnson competed solo this time around. He finished the Men's Long Open in 2:41. Mike Fitzgerald was another returning paddler. Fitzgerald topped the men in the Short Sea Kayak Singles category last year with a time of 1:30.23. He added three minutes to his time this year, finishing the Men's Overall Short in 1:33. Greg Shindler and Mark Manning paired up just minutes before the race began, and were still able to come out on top of the Men's Overall Short with a time of 1:26. Sarah Kilby, the lone entrant in the Women's Overall Short, finished in 1:27 in her OC-1 outrigger. Schwartz said the BOCC will continue to practice in both Bigfork and Whitefish throughout the rest of the season (until it gets too cold). For more information on the club and its events call Schwartz at 249-8290 or visit www.bigforkoutrigger.com.
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