The 19KM race was Part II of the US vs Canada THINK Kayak International Challenge. The rules for the race:
***The 10 fastest solo surfskis and the fastest double surfski including a minimum of 2 female participants make up the country’s team.
***The team with the lowest cumulative finishing places from both races is the winner of the Think International Surfski Challenge.
***The team with the lowest cumulative finishing places from both races is the winner of the Think International Surfski Challenge.
After Part I, the Dan Harris Challenge on our home turf, the USA was in the lead by nearly 50 points. But Canada had the home court advantage this weekend, and our small pod of 10 racers needed to make every point count!
At 1PM the start horn blew, and the field was off at a blistering pace. I tried to hang with Jeff Hegedus, who apparently had his Wheaties for breakfast. I managed, after several sprints, to catch Jeff’s draft, and hung with him as he reeled in a tandem and solo ski just ahead of us. Reivers also joined our little peloton.
After paddling upwind for about 3 miles, Jeff and Reivers both made their move just before we reached the first turn-around buoy; and left the tandem, single and myself in the dust. With the wind now at our backs, I tried to take advantage of every little bump and quickly passed the tandem and solo ski. Then, Reivers stopped to fiddle with his drink system, and disappeared behind me.
Jeff, still ahead, seemed to be having the race of his life. He had picked off another 3 or 4 racers and was quickly becoming a red dot in the distance.
The course seemed to jump from here to there… along this shore, across that channel… and, I admit, I had no idea where I was most the time. So, I focused on a racer dressed in a bright green race jersey, greener lifevest, and neon green race hat. I was pretty sure this was Daryl Remmler, and figured he knew where he was going! He was paddling alongside a guy in a blue Speedster who, unfortunately, I never got a chance to meet. I reeled them in in my mind… and it seemed in real life they truly were getting closer and closer.
About 2 miles from the finish, they were within my grasp. We rounded the final island and were cutting back across the channel to the finish. Daryl’s stern was right there, but to our left, I realized, we were right in a sailboat’s path. The sailor looked directly at us, and he did not look pleased. He made a 90 degree turn while eyeing us with a nasty look the entire time. I caught his eye, and gave a cheery ‘Thank you’… hoping that would simmer him down a bit. Daryl and the Speedster were apparently shocked to hear my close-proximity voice, and turned into overdrive without ever looking back. Hmmmmm…. I didn’t seem to have that same gear. Nonetheless, it was fun chasing them to the dock, and Hayden and Brandon were waiting for me at the finish line.
All in all, an AWESOME race, and an incredible Mother’s Day!!!
After the final tally, we learned that USA held of the Canadians by a mere 12 points. And my time of 1:44 got me a Mother’s Day blue ribbon!
~In the Spirit of Compassion and Adventure~
Heather, Brandon and Hayden Storm
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