This was a truly spectacular summer for FRPA and it's Junior athletes who competed in over twenty different national, and local racesthis spring and summer. The FRPA brought home 12 Gold, 7 Silver and 3 Bronze medals for a total of 29 medals of a possible 52, and a presented a medalist in every race that the Front Range Paddling Association attended.
Highlights of this summers races, were certainly the Fibark 27 mile downriver race in which Nic Borst beat out World Cup Medalist, Two time Olympian and current member of the US National Slalom Team, Scott Shipley to become the youngest racer ever to win the World's oldest River Race in Salida, Colorado.
The FRPA then traveled to the US Junior Olympics, on the East Race Waterway in South Bend, Indiana. FRPA truly demonstrated its depth and competitiveness with class by winning gold in every class except for Men's Kayak.
For the first time in the history of US Slalom Junior Olympics was able to field a full women’s Canoe (C-1) class.
The Prime highlight of the entire summer was that in a tremendous achievement, FRPA won runner-up standings for the Chuck Heins Cup. This trophey was given for outstanding participation and results in every class, losing to Nantahala Racing Club of North Carolina by only a few points. This award proved that Denver area Junior Canoe/Kayak racing is alive and well only after it's 3rd year of existence.
The team then proceeded to Wausau, Wisconsin to participate in the US Cup Races. Again, FRPA’s true colors bled through as athletes including Tom Gray, Nic Borst, Perrin Pring, Ian Wolf, Chris Wiegand, Jeremy Tieson and Shannon Faltack all earned spots on the Medal Podium, and fielded competitors in every class.
Members of the FRPA would also like to recognize the work and support of the coaches in the American Slalom Excellence Program. Coaches and support Staff including Olympic Team Alumni, David Hearn, Ben Kvanli and Jennifer Hearn who were so instrumental in providing coaching and support for all of the FRPA athletes.
FRPA members would also like to thank Dennis Adams (Team Dad and Coach), Mr and Mrs Turvey for all of their help during the 15 days on the road. Without this help we would not be as successful as we have been.
This truly was a great summer for the Front Range Paddling Association and it's athletes. Head Coach Chris Wiegand is excited about it's new talents in the next year.
Stay Tuned for news of great progress......