Race Report: Bliss-Stick US New Haven Ledges Open

This report comes from Mountain Man’s resident creeker Chris Morelli:

On Saturday April 9th, the second annual Bliss-Stick US New Haven Ledges Open took place in Bristol, Vermont. There was a great turn out of over 60 boaters combined in the pro and amateur divisions. With a cash purse and prizes over a 1500 dollars, boaters traveled from all locations. Last year, with freezing temperatures and low water, being the first race only 22 racers competed, I included. This year, with warm April sunshine and a decent low to medium flow the race was a hit. The road side run attracted boaters and spectators alike. With four man heats down the 1/3 mile long race course that drops 245′ per mile, the lines were tight. With the lower water level boaters had to stay in the flow to keep the lead and there were only a hand full of opportunities to make a pass. The top two of each heat moved on to a winner bracket, and the bottom two moved on to a loser bracket, to keep competing for the cash. It was a long day, heat after heat brought it down to the finals. The victor being a ex olympic slalom boater from canada. Pros came from all about, big names included Patrick Camblin, Joel Kowalski, and Ben Marr. It was great to see heats with big name paddlers, and local heros. I, myself had a slow start in my first heat, but placed first in my second heat. That moved me to semi finals, but by then a long day on the river, and practice laps all day before had gotten to me, and I didn’t precede to move on. The New Haven ledges are a classic Vermont creek, with the continuous nature, mixed with technical moves, and the short lap after lap shuttle makes for a great weekend. Over the weekend I made 13 laps. This was the first gathering for the Northeast paddlers for the season, and with a great turn out it seems everyone is Stoked and ready to boat!