North American Championships Finals underway at the Ottawa River!

September 3, 2005

Today was a picture perfect day on the Ottawa with
75 degrees, sunny, warm water, and awesome water levels for the Garberator!
Today was prelims for all classes except junior women and C1’s which
did their finals.

In the women’s pro class- Emily Jackson busted
out some sweet rides using all of her 45 seconds on one of them to take
first in this round. Ruth Gordon also had a great round looking like she
was at home at her home wave, getting second, and Tanya Faux was 3rd.
The upset was Tanya Shuman missing the wave three times, losing her shot
at the North American title for 2005.

In the men’s pro class- Anthony Yapp from Australia
(but local to the Ottawa each summer) had some sick rides to win the prelims,
nailing his new favorite move for 2005 the McNasty in good form on one
ride, and completely dialed into the clean blunts. Billy Harris, also
a 582 local (the Ottawa river phone prefix of 90% of the best freestyle
paddlers in Canada) was also in good form with awesome Pan Ams, clean
aerial blunts, and backstabs. I was third in prelims with some work to
do if I am going to stay undefeated in 2005 and beat the local boys Anthony
and Billy. I didn’t get any practice on the wave at the competition
level so I kept with the old standard moves until after my early morning
session tomorrow. Andrew Holcomb had one incredible huge Pan Am that had
the crowd on their feet along with his smooth style to take 4th place
in prelims. Andrew and I are 1st and 2nd so far in the North American
Cup. Also making it for Team Jackson Kayak was Clay Wright, Stephen Wright,
and Brad Sutton. The big upset in the men’s class was Bryan Kirk
who did so well in Watertown in the first event of the NAC (3rd) but didn’t
make the next round after two times missing the wave in a row.

In the Junior Women’s Class- Katie Kowalski tore
it up to win her second weekend in a row! Great Job!

In the Junior men’s class: Zach Miller won the
junior men’s prelims with Nick Troutman in second, and Joel Kowalski
in third. Dane made the next cut also. Keegan as well.

Check out the photos!

An important decision was made for USA athletes yesterday
by the USFKA. Team Trials for the 2007 World Championships team will be
held right here at the Garberator just before the World Cup next year!

🙂 EJ