Go Pro Mountain Games- The big must go to event on the USA tour.

Go Pro Mountain Games

Once again all the action canoe to the Go Pro Mountain Games in Vail. This years water levels were super high meaning the most pushy Homestake race yet, record breaking sprint times and a deep fast freestyle hole. Once again this year there was a good showing of UK athletes who took to the high water in style.

Dane Jackson races Homestake at 3 times the normal flow
(Photo by Logan Robertson Photography)

Nottinghams Jenny Chrimes opening up the event with a third place podium finish, she might have taken the win if it wasn't for an exhaustion endused swim at the finish line on the fastest lap in the race. Have you ever tried rolling after losing grip on your paddle, whilst getting pushed up against a well, after racing 1 min 30 seconds at altitude of over 8,000ft on some full on class5! Me neither but I think its got to be super hard. 

Jen races through the super challenging course
(photo by Logan Robertson Photoraphy)

France's Lea takes a massive swim
(photo by Logan Robertson Photography)

The levels were high and the swims were big. JK's Nouria Neuman from France flew into the lead after an interesting first lap, running the main first section (known as the mank) on her face. She shook it off well and in the end was the only female athlete to take 3 full runs. Taking the lead as the Homestake Champion 2016. 

Nouria styles it as she completes her 3rd run

In the men's UK extreme athlete Joe Morley just missed out on a podium finish beaten by Race veterans Nick Troutman and Issac Levingson. However the big news of the day was Idahos 19 year old Alec Vorhees, big water race specialist Alec thrived in the higher conditions taking his first ever win in a major pro race. He's is becoming an athlete to watch out for on the tour. Especially at next weeks North Fork Championship on his local home run. 

Joe Morley shows some Yorkshire style
(photo by Logan Robertson)

Alec flys into 1st place
(photo by Logan Robertson Photography)

Young Alec takes the title just ahead of the Homestake vet
(photos by Show Love Media) 

Amazing medals and prizes await the top athletes
(Photos by Show Love Media)

The action then moved to the freestyle and Claire O'Hara once again took the first place in the ladies with some consistently solid rides. The hole was super fast and deep. Constantly changing with the melting snow. The crowds were huge and the athletes performed with massive cheers for every huge trick they threw. 

Huge crowds gather and cheer us on
(Peter Holcombe Photography)

A massive white water explosion
(Photo by Alvina Skogman)

Loading for a big Mcnasty
(Photo by Nathan Maddock)

Spliting it up
(Photo by Alvina Skogman)

Finishing with a massive space

Celebrating an great ride in a challenging hole
(Photo by Phillip Robert)

In the men's it was a tight fought battle with Dane Jackson showing some serious skills in testing conditions, to take home his 4th consecutive Freestyle gold wine. 

Claire and Dane amid the crowds mid finals

4 times Go Pro Champion Dane Jackson
(action selfie by Dane Jackson)

Pro paddlers watch on from the Sitzmark hotel balcony

The Judging team hard at work

Dane Jackson Goes Ridiculously Huge
(photo by Nathan Madlock)

As the freestyle wrapped up the racing continued. Jen, Joe and Phil represented the UK well. In borrowed big boats, old and new they blasted down the course setting new race records along the way. Joe pushed hard to put down a new course record and take the win with Phil came in close behind with a bronze medal. Jen once again made the podium showing consistency with another fast race time. A great result all round for Team Peak UK and team Yorkshire. 

Phil Mitchell flying down Homestake
(photo by Logan Robertson Photography)

Team Yorkshire (plus Jen) celebrate taking home the Medals from another successful Go Pro Games
(Photo by Ian Morley)

Last up was the 8 ball colourful, carnage full contact kayaking in the middle of town. I'm not sure who one but I do know it was epic and hugely entertained the crowds. 

All in all it was another fantastic weekend of racing and competing. Thank you once again Vail for providing some epic adventure, experiences, prizes and memories that will last a long while. We will be back again for another weekend of action next June.

Ladies Freestyle Podium
(Photo by Show Love Media)

Full race results are available online. Go Pro Mountain Games

http://www.mountaingames.com/summer