2002 NATIONALS WRAP-UP
Kelly Wypych & Mike Ripple
2002 USCA NATIONALS RESULTS WITH PHOTOS

It was heart warming to hear the kind words and compliments at the close of this year¹s Marathon Nationals. Paddlers from Nova Scotia to Texas appreciated the intense competition resulting from record-breaking attendance.  This year there were nearly 900 entries in events from Orienteering to sprints to marathon events.  Dartmouth's boathouse proved to be the perfect venue to stage such a smashing success.

As we looked around at the well-run competition, the beautiful Connecticut River and picture perfect Hanover New Hampshire it was clear that this was a first rate event in every way. What was not always apparent was the seamless way in which the event hosts and volunteers prepared each day, and handled every problem so that we could just show up and paddle!

A tremendous amount of behind the scenes work was done to make this event happen. Volunteers worked tirelessly to get those boat numbers on a table every morning, to track the times, classes and the multitude of details needed to follow each paddler from start through awards. Conducting this event without a hitch was back breaking work. It¹s the willingness of individuals to do this work that makes our sport a success. Please join me in thanking those who made it all work. 

NECRA¹s efforts made the day. Their Nationals Committee made sure that the administrative trench work held up to record crowds and all their enthusiasm. The people "behind the green curtain" deserve sincere and copious thanks. Many NECRA members sacrificed their own competitive interests so they could "be there" for the rest of us. These are the individuals who did not leave race headquarters until the next day was squared away. 

From the amount of work done, I would have bet that Trish Heed, Karen Levitt, Tom Walton and Tom Warner slept there. Chris Wilson and Marc Lessard likely tucked them in. Enough cannot be said about the competent, dedicated, reliable, job done by Chris and Marc. They are truly "Paddlers of the Year". I think all would agree that Peter Heed¹s professional announcing throughout the event is on par with the best from Monday night football. Dede Herlihy's pasta dinner came off better than promised and once again, Priscilla Reinertsen organized a wonderful awards ceremony. So many people contributed to this event. and I am only naming a few. So many people contributed to all the corners of this great week of paddling that I fear my list will not be complete! Thanks Abby, Bill, Dick, Sean, Paula, Ray - and to all the folks who volunteered to fetch lunches, help with timing and registration - you all know who you are! Thanks to Robert Altman for donating his remarkable massage services. Thanks to the businesses and individuals who contributed cash and goods in support of this event!  

Thanks also go to all of you who came out to compete. I enjoyed seeing the happy faces of people who were as busy connecting with each other on land as they were competing on the water. What a great time!

2002 USCA NATIONALS RESULTS WITH PHOTOS