Liddle is winner on a wild Wild Mile

The 36th annual Bigfork Whitewater Kayak Festival was held May 29 on some of the highest waters in the event's history, but that didn't keep more than two dozen paddlers from competing on the Wild Mile section of the Swan River.

Patrick Liddell was this year's overall winner. He took first place in upper slalom as well as in the down river race. He placed third in the boatercross.

Karl Crittenden finished in second place overall. He had the second best time in the down river and boatercross races and placed third in the slalom. 

The first event at the festival was for less experienced boaters on May 28. Jesse Rumsey was the overall winner of that race. Lane Armstrong took second, and Morgan Sadler was third.

The annual Whitewater Festival triathlon was held May 29. Marcella Sandry won in the women's category. Erin Howardson was second and Kelly Wombacher placed third. Among the men, the winner was Mark Manning. Caleb Stolte was second, followed by Steve Muller in third place.