Bank of America US Whitewater Open March 24-25, 2012
Olympic Hopefuls Face Off on the Nantahala
Watch world-class paddlers compete in both downriver and slalom competitions in the season’s first major competitive event.
Come out to support US Wildwater and Slalom Athletes at the start of their most important season in 4 years. Hosted by the Nantahala Racing Club at NOC's Wesser Campus, the Bank of America US Whitewater Open, offers two days of excitement, anticipation, and above all, beautiful racing Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25th. In the slalom event, this will be one of the final races in an Olympic preparation that, for most athletes, has lasted much longer than four years. A World Cup-style elimination format will ensure drama to the very end at the most prestigious yearly slalom event leading up to the 2012 USACK Slalom Olympic Team Trials.
Five of these athletes will likely represent the United States at the Olympics later this summer; don’t miss this chance to watch them race on the Nantahala River before they head off to London. Arrive early to nab a good view by the Nantahala Falls and cheer on our hometown favorites, NRC-Rhino paddlers Scott Mann, Michal Smolen, and others!
In whitewater slalom, competitors navigate through a series of gates set on a technically challenging stretch of whitewater. Athletes must negotiate these gates in the correct order, incurring a 2 second penalty for touching a gate, or a catastrophic 50 second penalty for missing one. Each competitor gets two runs down the course, and the faster of the two counts as the final result.
Wildwater Racing
Wildwater athletes will be competing in two events, a short, dynamic Sprint, through the Nantahala Falls, and a Classic endurance race of about 3.5 miles. The US Open is an important early-season race for athletes training for the 2012 ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in La Plagne, France. These folks have put in a lot of long, cold hours on the water this winter, come out and support them as they put their training to the test! Nantahala Falls will provide for some spectacular viewing, or help cheer them into the finish line from the Founder’s Bridge near River’s End Restaurant.
Event Schedule
Whitewater Slalom
Saturday and Sunday 10am
Nantahala Falls
Wildwater Sprint
Saturday 4pm
TBA
Wildwater Classic
Sunday 9am
Ledges Rapid
Event Store Specials
Nantahala River Forest Service Passes will be available for sale during the week prior to the event, and are required by the US Forest Service for all river users. They are $5.00 for the season, or $1.00 for the day. After the action, come check out what’s new for the season, including boats and paddles at the Outfitter’s Store. The Outfitter’s Store is proud to feature the largest selection of Werner paddles in the country. Slalom racers, come check out our premier selection of neoprene socks and river shoes, admit it, you know your feet are cold.
