FIBArk Commodore Joel McBride talks with another downriver competitor prior to the start of the race at Hecla Junction. Photo by Dan Smith.
One of the highlights of the FIBArk festival weekend was changed for 2019: the historic Downriver Race for watercraft of various classes.
The mass start of the race in Hecla was organized mayhem as competitors dug hard with their paddles to get an edge on competitors. Photo by Dan Smith.
The original race started seven decades ago, running basically from Salida down to the Royal Gorge; a grueling 56-mile race that few finished. But through the decades it was shortened so more competitors finished.
This year, there was a major change partially due to declining participation and audiences. The race was moved upstream of Salida this year and shortened to about 14 miles.
Planners said they felt it would be a more well-attended event if it were shorter and finished at Salida’s Whitewater Park in downtown Salida, rather than start there.
With the river running at torrid levels this year, it was nonetheless a formidable challenge to the 14 participants who left Hecla Junction in a manic mass start.
2019 FIBArk Commodore Joel McBride as he approaches the County Road 166 bridge in the later part of the downriver race. Photo by Dan Smith.
The participants maneuvered downstream at a fast pace, through historic water features on the river, including Siedell’s Suckhole, the diversion dam, Stone Bridge and other possible hazards. The kayakers were watched over by volunteer rescue kayakers all along the watery roller coaster route.
Two of the final kayak downriver competitors take their boats from the water (above and below) in Whitewater Park after successfully completing the 14-mile course Sunday.
The new route presented competitors with more rapids and hazard features in the early part of the race, and calmer, but fast, water toward the race finish area.
In the reconfigured downriver race, the winner from among the14 competitors listed, was Cully Brown of Durango.
He finished first, about 30 seconds ahead of Mike Freeborn, who had multiple previous wins in the downriver event. Brown finished with a time of 59 minutes, eight seconds, with Freeborn coming in with a time of 59 minutes, 39 seconds.
One of the final kayak competitors maneuvers through the diversion dam, as rescue kayakers look on. Photo by Dan Smith.
The rest of the finishers were as follows: Third, Nate Foster, 60 minutes, 23 seconds; Fourth, Nelson Oldham; Fifth, Andy Corra; Sixth, Joel McBride; Seventh, Brenton Petrillo; Eighth, Luk Urbine; Ninth, Kurt Smithgall; Tenth, Alex Perkins; Eleventh, Eleanor Haring; Twelfth, Thomas Barnes; Thirteenth, Hannah Bradbury; and Fourteenth, Stacy Falk.
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