I made the trek yesterday morning to Portland for the 2nd race in a 3
race series on the Willamette River. Around 30 SUP's lined-up for the
4.5 mile race around Ross Island. I jumped out to an early lead which
I swapped back and forth with the one prone paddle boarder.
With one mile to go my hands were cramping (maybe because it was cold,
windy and raining?) and my power was dwindling rapidly. I heard a guy
(Rick Graves) slowly catching me so I eased up and let him by. I was able to stay
with him pretty easily. With 200 yards to go we rounded the last left
hand corner and I passed him in a all-out sprint to the finish line.
I got him by only 6 seconds! It was a great battle.
So, the prone paddle boarder stayed away finally, followed by myself
and Rick on 14 foot boards. Rick was on a Vortice (just like
Heathers) and I was on my Naish Javelin. 3rd place was Bill Babcock
on his 18' SIC.
The last race in the series is June 12th... we'll see if I have that
drive in me again. Sitting in a car that long is harder than the race
for sure.
