Well, this year was the highest water levels I had ever seen for the GoPro Steep Creek race. The Homestake creek course is usually notorious for being low volume, and tons of sharp shallow rocks. A normal flow is between 80-200 CFS (cubic feet per second), though this year the race was in the 600’s and we had several practice laps in the 800’s CFS while leading up to the race.
Though after putting in several practice laps, it finally came time for the race day. It was a great day, warm weather, sunny skies, and lots of racers and spectators, a perfect start for the 2016 Mountain Games. The water was high, powerful and fast.
The format was 2 runs with with best time counting, and then top 10 racers make it to a finals of 1 run fastest time wins. My first run felt pretty good, a couple very minor mistakes, but overall quite solid. I felt comfortable with my first run, though it still only landed me in 9th place. This had me a little worried going into the second rides and I knew I need to go a bit faster. Though my attempt at paddling harder and faster turned out a mistake as I bobbled and made multiple timely errors. I would have to stick with my first run time, which after everyone had finished their second runs, left me in 10th place. It was tight, but i had made it into the finals unscathed, which was more to say then most. The course had been handing out some beatings with the higher water levels.
Going into finals in last place enabled me to go first, being it is reverse seating, which helped me focus on my line and not let the announcers distract me with talk of the other racers. I tried to go harder, though focus my energy on being smooth. My line was feeling good, though I had a minor mistake, I kept paddling and trying my best. I finished feeling good, not perfect but good. Though I knew that there were 9 racers still to go, all who qualified with faster times then mine. I actually got out of my boat to watch the rest of the racers, and my good friends finish their runs. Everyone looked exceptionally fast, though I was shocked to find out I still finished in 3rd place.
After the day was done I was more then fired up to share the podium with my good friends Alec and Isaac, and exceptionally glad to walk away with only a couple starched knuckles. I can’t wait to come back and race again next year.
