Adam and Wendy Gelinas put on a great race with help from a brilliant New England Day and a great turnout of racers. The eight mile Potato race is the last race of the season held on the Connecticutt River in Hadley, Massachusetts. The sun was out and the temperature was around 50 with slight head wind on the second leg of the race. The start has two waves with the canoes going first then all the kayaks including the doubles. There were quite a few double surfskis and K2’s that included some of the top paddlers in New England including Ted Van Dusen and Kaitlyn McElroy paddling a K2 together. Kaitlyn is one of the top USA women paddlers. Below are just some of Kaitlyn’s accomplishments this year. 

Ted and Kaityln

2012 U.S. National Championships in Seattle, Wash.: 1st K2 200m, K2 500m, K2 1000m, 2nd in K1 200m, K1 500m, K1 5000m
2012 World Cup No. 2 in Duisburg, Germany: SILVER in K2 1000m (with Maggie Hogan), 12th in K2 500m
2012 World Cup No. 1 in Poznan, Poland: BRONZE in K2 1000m, 12th in K2 500m
2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Oklahoma City: 1st in K2 500m, 2nd in K1 200m, 3rd in K1 500m

Winners get a bag!!

 

CT River

 In my race, I got off to a slow start fussing with my GPS when the gun went off, but I think it help me not going out too fast. Andrius Zinkevicus one the top K1 paddlers with explosive sprint speed and years of K1 paddling, was able to hop scotch from tandem to tandem for some of race. Not many guys have enough speed to be able to draft on the doubles. Andrius came in third at this years 19 mile ROTC with a superb time of 2:34:59.

I also watched Chris Chappell get off to an incredible start as well putting a gap on Michael Melnikov and myself within the first mile.Michael and I were in a tight pack with top Wild Water paddlers Mark Wendolowski and Jeff Belanger paddling a K2. Our three boats were side by side until the half way mark going around the island. I had a boat length on the turn but Mark/Jeff took a perfect turn along with Michael and they grabbed a two boat lead on me in the turn. I quickly caught up in the suck water and then dropped Michael and Mark/Jeff.  At the turn I could see Chris about a quarter mile ahead with two C2’s. I followed their line exactly criss crossing the winding river. Slowly I got to within 30 yards of Chris before I saw him do the double take to make sure he knew who was gaining on him. Yes, his training partner was trying to close the gap but Chris would have nothing of it.With two miles to go I tried to keep my heart rate up while focusing on a quicker stroke rate.  Chris finished slightly ahead of me while Andrius held a commanding lead from start to finish. A few more pics.

https://picasaweb.google.com/111670948231605580163/PotatoRace12

Wesley(3rd) Andrius(1st), Chris (2nd),K1/racing class

 

Chris at Finish

In the doubles race, Joe Shaw/Eric McNett,Ted Van Dusen/Kaitlyn McElroy, Kurt Kuhnel/Bill Baker finishes 1,2,3  respectively.

Top Tandem paddlers:Eric,Joe,Ted,Kaitlyn,Kurt, Bill, Terry

Thanks to Adam and Wendy for hosting the race with excellent organization. I did not realize it until after the race that Wendy and I had exchanged emails regarding some of her superb photo’s of the ROTC race, I used with her permission. It was nice to meet Wendy and Adam after the race.  The next event for a few of us including myself is the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston, Massachusetts in February. The Concept 2 is a wonderful way to stay in shape over the long winter months in New England.   Thanks to everyone for a great 2012 racing season both ocean and flatwater.  I am already looking forward to next season!!

Adam and Wendy, Race Directors