SALIDA — The U.S. Freestyle Kayaking National Championships proved to be something of a family affair as “Team Jackson” cleaned up in every division, including a sweep Saturday of the top five pro men’s places.
Jackson Kayaks paddler Stephen Wright of Rock Island, Tenn., launched his kayak to a third consecutive championship title by besting his boat builder and employer, Eric “EJ” Jackson, with a series of enormous aerial tricks that earned bonus points from the judges. Wright’s top score of 133 points was three points better than Jackson, who jumped to second place with a tenacious ride in the finals.
“You can never count him out. Any ride can be the high scoring ride of the competition whenever he’s on the water,” Wright said of reigning freestyle world champion Jackson afterward. “Regardless of what he does, I have to go out and do what I do well, which is go out and try to get all the bonuses for big air and try to link some tricks to do the rides I know I can hit. He’s going to do some different tricks, so whoever hits them better usually ends up on top.”
While missing the national title this year at FIBArk, Jackson did manage to outscore his future son-in-law, Nick Troutman, to meet one of his goals for the night. The reigning Canadian national champion, engaged to Jackson’s daughter, Emily, finished third with a score of 121.
“He was pretty gung-ho about winning the U.S. national championship as a Canadian,” Jackson said. “We had to show him what was up.”
Jackson team paddlers Dustin Urban of Buena Vista and Clay Wright from Rock Island rounded out the top five.
Emily Jackson used a series of solid rides to repeat as the women’s national champion, while Carbondale’s Eleanor Perry had the top local showing in fifth. Jackson also joined her father in winning the slalom racing events at FIBArk.
The youngest Jackson, Dane, 14, picked up two titles of his own by beating Jason Craig to his third championship in the junior men’s kayak division and topping a field of three paddlers in the canoe or “C1” division.
