Claire O'Hara: Go Pro Games

Thumbs up for the 2014 Go Pro Games

Just chilling in a hot tub, listening to the sound of the river flowing by, surrounded by mountains, enjoying the last few hours of Colorado sunshine and reflecting on the last few days of non stop action at the 2014 Go Pro Games.

Clay chilling in the Hot Tub before a crazy
busy day down at the river

The Go Pro Games kicked off on Thursday with the Steep Creek Homestake race and finished yesterday with a smashing round of Kayak 8 Ball. Over the weekend 75,000+ people visited Vail and took part in or watched a massive variety of extreme adventure sports.

Jason Searle flys stateside to join us from NZ

This year I opted to take part in two events. The Kayak Freestyle and the 8 Ball. After a week of training and acclimatising. My competitions kicked off on Friday. I was a little nervous leading into the heats, as due to the snow melt the hole had been changing continuously and differently each and every day so it was difficult to know what level or shape of hole it would be for the event, Luckily though, throughout the competition, we got sweet levels and I managed to get some good rides. In the heats, I had two solid runs with Mc'Nastys, spaces and massive loops. In the finals, I got simaler moves but not quite as solid runs. I tried to go a little too big flushing several times during each run but still managed to sneak the win ahead of European Champion Marlene Devillez and 2013 Go Pro Games Champion Sage Donnelly.

Claire O flying high during the Heats
(photo by Go Pro Games)

Prelim results

Claire O massive loop in finals
(photo by Stephen Wright)

Ladies Freestyle Podium Marlene, Claire and Sage
(photo by Steff Donnelly)

Having fun with the Golden Axe

Getting some great press coverage from the event

Then on Sunday I joined in the 8 ball, a chaotic full contact head to head race. I was stoked to make the finals and race in a heat stacked with some of the best female extreme races from around the world. In then end I finished 4th or maybe it was 5th after a sweet run ended with me being completey closed in 2m from the finish line. I was in 2nd up until then despite taking a massive hit from Kalob Grady half way down the course.

I'm in the red helmet and green boat being totally closed out
only metres from the bridge finish line
(photo by Courtney Kerin)

8 Baller Jason Searle destroys another competitor
(photo by Go Pro games)

Joe Morley takes a massive face hit from Hunt but goes on to win
(photo by Stephen Wright)

Over the weekend I also judged the men's Freestyle, watched the Slope Style finals and Slack Line World Championships and filmed a commercial with Sasquatch for Jack Links.

Epic view from the Judges stand

Fun on the judging stand

VIP media entry into the Slopestyle finals

Insane skills at the slack line World Champs

This kids just 17 and seriously talented

Thank you Go Pro Games and the Vail Valley Foundation for another fantastic weekend of fun filled action and events. I can't wait for next years event.