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Jannuary 8, 2002 -- Hershey, PA
The Mid Atlantic Downriver Series (MADS) began in 1999 as a group
of races designed to increase awareness and participation in Wildwater
in a region where traditionally a large number of people have paddled
Wildwater boats. Two years after its inception it continues to grow,
with plans for a big water series this year that incorporate existing races on the Upper and Lower Yough as
well as the Upper Gauley and Cheat Canyon. The series will challenge
any paddler in the country.
2001 began brightly, with races on the Lower Yough in freezing conditions.
National Champion Andrew McEwan showed good form after a
winter break to take the honors, and won all of the races he participated
in to take the overall series crown. Unfortunately an increasing
workload prevented 2000 MADS Champion Ted Newton from putting
up an adequate defense of his title, but there is little doubt that
he will return stronger and faster in 2002.
| Dave
Bonomo took advantage of lower participation in the Lehigh
to take the honors there, and Steve Kauffman won both
spring races on the North Branch of the Potomac to finish
with an excellent second overall standing in the series--a
fine cap for his first year on the U.S. team. Chara O’Brien
dominated the women’s field, finishing a 7th overall. Participation
in the C-boats remains slim, but look out for increased C2
racing next year with the availability of local C2s. The Fall
North Branch of the Potomac race is designated as a C2 race,
with special prizes awarded for the best tandem of the day. |
|
Chris Norbury
strokes through Little Falls on the Potomac River, a featured
course of the 2002 MADS Series. (Photo credit: Emmy Truckenmiller) |
Next year’s MADS schedule remains similar to this year's, with the
addition of the Elk Classic race in the depths of West Virginia,
an existing race with a great local turnout and support. There
is opportunity to race Classic or Sprint races, on courses with
low (Cheat Narrows) or high (Main Stem Potomac) flow. So there is
something for everyone.
This year
sees the return of the Cheat Racing Weekend with favorable release
dates, bringing three races in as many days. This will hopefully
attract some of the best racers in the country trying to hone
their racing skills before heading off to Europe to compete in
the 2002 World Championships in Italy.
With the addition
of the Big Water Series we incorporate challenging races on Class
IV and V rivers, along with probably the hardest of all races,
the Ohiopyle Circuit race, with downstream and upstream legs.
My thanks goes to all the organizers and helpers who make this
series go smoothly, along with all of the athletes who participate
and race in such a friendly and fun loving spirit.
| 2002 MADS Schedule |
| #1
March 3 |
Lower
Yough Sprint |
Pennsylvania |
class
III |
Jesse
Whittemore jess@iceweb.net |
| #2
March 3 |
Lower
Yough Classic |
Pennsylvania |
class
III |
Jesse
Whittemore jess@iceweb.net |
| #3
March 17 |
Tohickon
Classic |
Pennsylvania |
class
III |
Ted
Newton rentals@lehighrafting.com |
| #4
March 31 |
Lehigh
Sprint and Classic |
|
? |
Ted
Newton rentals@lehighrafting.com |
| #5
April 7 |
Elk
River |
West
Virginia |
?
|
Gary
Weir (304) 847-2145 or wcda@WebsterWV.com |
| #6
April 14 |
Main
Stem Potomac (Little Falls) |
|
|
Chris
Norbury savage2000@bicycling.com |
| #BWI
May 3 |
Cheat
Canyon |
Pennsylvania:
Cheat Racing Weekend |
|
Rick
Gusic, kayaking2000@hotmail.com |
| #7
May 4 |
Cheat
Narrows |
Cheat
Racing Weekend |
|
Greg
Akins angrygreg@yahoo.com |
| #8
May 5 |
North
Branch Potomac Sprint |
Cheat
Racing Weekend |
|
Chris
Norbury savage2000@bicycling.com |
| #9
May 5 |
North
Branch of Potomac Classic |
Cheat
Racing Weekend |
|
Chris
Norbury savage2000@bicycling.com |
| #BWII
July 23 |
Glorious
Upper Yough Race |
|
|
Jesse
Whittemore jess@iceweb.net |
| #10
Sep 9 |
North
Branch of Potomac Sprint |
|
|
Bob
Vernon vernonmail@att.net |
| #11
Sep 9 |
North
Branch of Potomac Classic |
|
|
Bob
Vernon vernonmail@att.net |
| #BWIII
Sep 23 |
Animal
Upper Gauley Race |
West
Virginia |
|
Donnie
Hudspeth (dhud@geoweb.net |
| #BWIV
Sep ? |
Ohiopyle
Upstream Race |
|
|
angrygreg@yahoo.com |
| #12
(final) Nov 3 |
Tohickon
Creek |
Pennsylvania |
|
Ted
Newton rentals@lehighrafting.com |
| For
more info, contact Chris Norbury at
savage2000@bicycling.com |
Chris
Norbury is Vice Chair of the U.S. Wildwater Committee and an active
race and training camp organizer living in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Reach him at savage2000@bicycling.com.
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