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2001 Cheat Race

Individual Results     Class Winners     Team Results

Friday, May 4, 2001 -- Albright, WV Cheat Canyon Downriver Race Photo by Marty Lamp Race Report for the Cheat Canyon. Since the Cheat Race started five years ago, there have always been questions asked of ‘what if there is no rain’ in the preceding weeks to the race? The Cheat Race found out the answer to that this year. With a three week drought continuing into May, this year’s event saw the water level on the Cheat drop below 750 cfs in volume, with the route 26 bridge gauge reading a very low 1.25. At this level, new problems were plenty. While the level was low, there were still plenty of deep channels in the river, it would just take plenty of skills and knowledge in understanding where to go. Many of the rapids had become maze like traps of boulders and rocks. This year’s race would put the paddling and river knowledge skill of all 58 racers to a major test.

Race organizer Rick Gusic also had plenty of new changes for the race this year. The team race idea, after experimenting with it in 2000, was formally put into place. Additionally, the old race divisions were altered and new boat classes were used. The classes were changed to the ‘A’ class; Wildwater boats, ‘B’ class; Race boats (wavehoppers, phoenix boats, sea kayaks), ‘C’ class; long boats (boats between 10’ to 12’6”) and finally the addition of a short boat class, the ‘D’ class. Years from now, this race will ultimately be remembered as ‘the year of Steve Kauffman’. A long time wildwater racer with years of competition under his belt, Steve had finished second three times, and third once. This year, Steve would finally get his first title as he would fight and battle Heinz Roethenmund for nearly seventy minutes until finally pulling it out at the end. Steve would finish with a time of 1:12:01, beating Heinz by only 21 seconds. Rounding out the top five behind these two were previous place-winners Jess Whittemore, Chris Norbury and Rick Gusic. All three paddled glass wild water boats.

The next seven finishers would all be in the ‘B’ division, all paddling either Phoenix style boats or wavehoppers. Leading this group, with a time of 1:21:30, would be the human lung, veteran kayak racer and bike racer Bob Vernon. (competing in his first ever Cheat Race) A little ways behind Bob would be the 2nd and 3rd place finishers, Scott Stough and Chuck Stump. Right behind Chuck, in an almost unbelievable spot of 9th overall, would be the fastest women, Chara O’Brien, with a blistering time of 1:23:45. The highest ever placement, 9th, by a women in the Cheat Race! (Colleen Laffey had placed 11th in 1988) Congratulations Chara on an incredible performance. Finishing behind Chara (in the ‘B’ class) with a time of 1:32:51 would be Amy Conger, who was 24th overall.

A special congratulation goes out to Steve Frazier, who would win his THIRD straight open canoe title with a time of 1:36:22. This year Steve would have to battle it out with freestyle open canoe world title holder Eli Helbert, who finished second. It should be noted that in the five year race history, NO racer has EVER won any division of the race three years in a row. A truly awe inspiring performance by Steve. In the C1 class, last year’s runner-up, Dale Briggs, would return to the Cheat to claim his first ever division title with a time of 1:47:14. Congratulations Dale Wrapping up the other classes. In the men’s ‘C’ division, three new racers would win this year. Coming in first would be Mountain Streams guide Nate Ober, with a time of 1:26:50. Behind him would be Randy Robison and John Metts. In the newly formed ‘D’ division, a class for under 10’ boats, Kent State’s Justin Jeffers would bring in the title with a time of 1:34:32. Behind him would be Steve Andraka and Matt Muir. In the women’s D division, Heather Rau would finish ahead Rose Piraino and Michelle Rexroad. The last award award of the day would go out to Pete and Tim Daly, who would to the title stand and win the prestigious ‘K2’ title again, finishing with a time of 1:33:40 (they won the same title in 1999)

As stated above, this year was also the first time for the ‘team competition’. Two awards were handed out. One award would go to the fastest Company/corporate team, the other to the fastest Paddling club. Teams were comprised of either three or four racers, with only the fastest three counting towards the score. The boater’s placings were added up, and the low score would win (much like a cross country race) Team Mountain Streams would win the Corporate Cup, while the Kent State Kayaking Club would win the Club Cup, beating out long time club rivals the Keelhaulers and the Three Rivers Paddling Club. Congratulations to all. Another great race, another good turnout and hope to see you all next year!