Teva 8-Ball: MXC crossed with Boater X

Photos

By Stephen Wright

It seems like every year’s 8-ball Race is an all-time favorite among competitors and spectators alike. It’s a boatercross race with obstacles hanging from the bridge and between 4 and 8 "8-ball" kayakers on the river who are trying to knock all competitors off-course. This year didn’t disappoint with harder hits, a super-sticky hole at the bottom of the course, and a surprise raft 8-ball for men’s finals! Jessica and I volunteered to be the finish judges, so we had a great view of all the carnage near the end of course. During the competitor’s meeting, athletes were told, "if you hurt an 8-ball, you have to pay their hospital bills. If an 8-ball hurts you, you have to pay your hospital bills!" Highlights for us were watching Brad Ludden deliver hit after hit into the bottom hole, seeing great paddlers like Emily, Tanya Faux, and Tao B. surfing the super-sticky hole, working to get a last-minute raft into the hole for men’s finals–big thanks to Matt S. for volunteering to drive that raft!!!! I’m not exactly sure about all the results, but I think that
women’s top 3 were:
Emily Jackson
Eleanor Perry
Nikki Kelly

Men’s:
Todd Anderson
Casper Von something
Pat Keller

Big thanks to my sister Melissa for shooting most of the photos, and to Jeremy Laucks for the photos of men’s and women’s finals!
Live from Vail, CO
Stephen Wright