• Fastest non-wavehopper time ever (Andrew Holcombe 10:03)
• New Women’s record by 1 second (Robin Betz 11:41)
• New Hand-paddler record by 58 seconds (Keith Sprinkle 12:02)
• Fastest plastic c-1 time ever (Jay Ditty 11:03)
• Most racers ever (52)
• Fastest group ever (36 racers under 12 minutes)
• For 4 out of the top 6, it was their first Russell Fork race
• Best carnage ever according to witnesses at Towers (is there any video?)
  

This is the first year since 2005 that Toby has had to give up the cup, and Andrew definitely deserves it. He laid down a blistering time of 10:03, just 10 seconds off the course record set by Chris Hipgrave in a Wavehopper 12 years ago. And this is Andrew’s first Russell Fork race! He received an engraved Mitchell paddle for his trophy, donated by Bernie from Whitewater Warehouse. There were 2 other boaters finishing close behind, both of them beating Tommy Hilleke’s best performance of 10:17. Bryan Kirk switched boats this year and was 34 seconds faster.

We didn’t realize it at the awards ceremony, but Robin Betz beat her own women’s record by 1 second, with a time of 11:41. She took away a nice tasty jar of pears preserved in Kentucky’s finest high-test homemade sparkling water for her prize (actually I think the jar was empty within minutes!) Laura Farrell was not far behind, with a time of 12:01, proving that I seeded her way too low on the start list. I have a feeling that we’re going to see some really serious competition in the women’s class next year. Lila, Sarah, Katie, you’ve got a year to train!

Keith Sprinkle blew away the hand-paddler record by 58 seconds. I’ll let that speak for itself!

We don’t have a separate short boat category, but I’ve got to recognize a great performance when it happens. Tyler Fox’s time of 12:01 in a Blisstick MAC is probably the fastest time we’ve seen here in a short boat.

The carnage was legendary as usual. Brian Jennings stopped in at the Towers hole and apparently threw some aerial cartwheels in 12 foot boat before hitting the eject button. Apparently a member of our ace rescue squad had done the same thing just minutes before. And we had several great swims at Climax in full view of lots of spectators with cameras to record it forever.

The forecast called for rain and clouds, and we ended up with blue skies for the race. We had a huge turnout of 52 racers, with 36 of them beating the 12 minute mark. Lots of new faces, for 4 out of the top 6 it was their first Russell Fork race. Lots of veteran racers as well, with Chris Hipgrave, Howard Tidwell, Clay Wright, Brian Jennings all showing up a decade after they started doing this. And Willy Witt has now tied Eric Strittmatter for the most races, with 10 each. We’re going to have to order more bibs for next year.

One of the greatest things to witness each year is the drama of personal rivalries. We’ve figured out that 1 second of race time will cost about $5000 paid directly to our corrupt timers (cash only, Dr. Warren). And just who is the fastest boater in Louisville?

We have 3 racers that were definitely missed this year. John, Griffin, and Isaac would all have been here if they had the chance.

Thanks to Willy Witt for doing the start times, Matt Delong for helping with the finish times, Matt Walker for registration help, Eric Henrickson for bibs, Bernie Farley and Whitewater Warehouse for the paddle trophy, Gerald Delong, Dave Allnut, Brent Austin, and many others who helped with rescue support (sorry I don’t have more names), and for anyone that helped to video or photograph the race.

So that’s the race update. Who won the party?

Jay