Salida – Born in 1949, FIBArk has become an international sensation as the greatest whitewater festival on the planet. And each June it gets better with the Arkansas River and Salida hosting the world’s best paddlers in a four-day festival that reaches beyond the river while maintaining its whitewater-soaked roots.
The 26-mile downriver race from Salida to Cotopaxi is the genesis of FIBArk. The longest down- river race in the country has drawn international paddlers for decades, ranking as one of the most grueling contests on whitewater.
Maryland’s Geoff Calhoun, the 2005 winner and former member of the U.S. Wildwater Team, found some extra juice on the final stretch of the storied race Sunday to dig past Durango’s Mike Freeburn (1991 champion) and win in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 49 seconds. Freeburn finished 31 seconds later.
Six-time winner Gary Lacy took a break from his source-to-Las Vegas expedition down the Colorado River to compete in his 33rd consecutive downriver race at FIBArk, placing eighth overall. Scions to the Lacy paddling crown, Boulder’s Spencer and Mason Lacy, finished second and third in the junior 10-mile downriver race.
Fusilli bounces to win
One of the most heralded races at FIBArk is the Pine Creek Boatercross. The 3-year-old race down the rowdiest stretch of whitewater on the Arkansas River features exceptional action as racers jostle and bump into the Class V maw that is the riverwide Pine Creek hole.
A time-trial race, four quarter- finals and two semifinal heats whittled the men’s field down Thursday to a final four, a group that featured neither of the top seeds – last year’s champion Jason Beakes of Washington, D.C., and Eric Jackson.
In the final race, Bryan Kirk appeared to have an easy win as he sailed into the final eddy. But he got snagged in the eddy line and Buena Vista locals Andre Spino- Smith and Dave Fusilli landed on Kirk as he struggled to turn his boat and touch the bank to finish. Fusilli bounced off Kirk’s boat to win, and Spino-Smith took second.
Carbondale’s Eleanor Perry took first in the women’s race, followed by world champion freestyle kayaker Ruth Gordon.
Jacksons rule freestyle
The freestyle showdown in Salida’s perfectly fluffy playhole Sunday featured the most progressive hole surfing in the sport.
Dane Jackson, a veteran pro at age 13, slayed the juniors competition with an unbelievable 167- point ride, marking what some called the best ride in the history of FIBArk. Sister Emily Jackson’s huge loops and strong combination moves slid her into the top women’s spot. Dane’s historic winning ride would soon lose some of its luster as his dad, Eric Jackson, put on a show with a 188-point ride. Pal and fellow Team Jackson Kayak paddler Stephen Wright busted the largest loops to come close with a third-ride 178 points, worth second place.
“I don’t mind coming in second as long as E.J.’s first,” Wright said. “I’m never disappointed to finish behind the old man.”
Shipley also shines
In the kayak slalom contest, another venerable event in FIBArk history, Olympic slalom master Scott Shipley of Boulder took first, followed by another former Olympian, Eric Johnson.
Canadian Nick Troutman, who recently stepped up from the junior divisions, took third.
