Congratulations to all of the wildwater racers who participated in the Wildwater World Championships in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic and to those who competed in the USA Wildwater Nationals in Salida, Colorado.

It was a blend of the “old and the new” as our best Masters Racers joined our Senior Team for the World Championships. Three of the Masters pulled double duty (John Pinyerd, David Jones and Mike Beck) by racing in World Championship Classic and Team Events as well as Masters Races. The real excitement turned out to be the Master’s competition. Led by USA Wildwater Team Chairman John Pinyerd, veteran team member David Jones, ICF member David Mason, and USA coach Mauricio Tognacci our Masters earned 4 medals - including 2 gold and 2 bronze.

The USA Wildwater Nationals were held in conjunction with FIBArk in Salida, Colorado. Those who were competing at the World Championhips were not in attendance, so the number of participants was less than it could have been. Those who did participate had an exciting sprint race through Cottonwood Rapid on Friday afternoon. The classic race was held on Saturday. The two days of competition determined the 2006 USA Wildwater National Champions and the remainder of the 2006 USA Wildwater Junior Team (part of the Junior Team was determined by the East Coast Junior Team Trials held earlier this year.

A special thanks to the Czech Federation, the Karlovy Vary Worlds Organization and the FIBrk organization for sponsoring two outstanding events!!

I have also included the Preliminary 2005 USA Wildwater Rankings. The rankings will be updated when the information for at least 2 competitors is corrected (there were 2 entries for each racer).

Check out the articles in this issue to learn more about all of these activities.