October 6-10, 2010: Pre-World's Costa Rica

A view of the Pacuare river from the bridge above the finish line.

Here it is, a review from last years Pre-World Championship in Costa Rica, just a bit over due.  We got to Costa Rica with all our gear and ready to see what the Pacuare River had to offer.  The women’s team gained one member since the summer. We welcomed Sarah Hamilton to our team to fill the 6^th spot; left center and our Spanish translator.

All the race events were held on sections of the Pacuare River, mainly the Upper Upper Pacuare. We traveled over 3 hours a day to and from the river; through the highland jungles with beautiful views and death defying roads.  With two days of practice and many laps up and down the river banks and surrounding cow fields we came to the first race day with much anticipation.

The Women's Team scouting the slalom course.

With over 20 international teams representing their countries, we walked down Main Street of La Suiza for the opening ceremonies.  The events began the next day, with Sprint and Head to Head on class 3+ white water. The Men took 2^nd in Sprint and with a great race against Brazil they took 2^nd in Head to Head.  The ladies took 3^rd in Sprint and 3^rd in Head to Head. The second day was slalom day. We took at  look at the coarse and decided that it was going to be fun, with many of the gates spread all over the river. The men took 5^th and the women took 2^nd place.  The last day was the Down River event and the starting line began an hour upstream of all the other events, but finished were the Sprint, Head to Head, and Slalom ended.  It was an exciting race with a helicopter flying overhead filming for a Costa Rican national television station, and it was good close race for both teams. The Women took 2^nd in the Down River giving them an overall 2^nd place finish; the men took 3^rd in the Down River giving them the overall 3^rd place finish.

            We would like to thank the International Rafting Association for putting on a great event; we look forward to the World Championship next year.

We also want to thank our Sponsors for all their support throughout the season.

Here's a summary video from Pre-Worlds in Costa Rica.