There’s a new King of the North Fork. In what has become one of the country’s premiere – and more prize heavy — Class V extreme races, Jules Domine paddled his way to top honors at the North Fork Championship on Sat., June 14, besting second-place finisher Egor Voskoboynik by just three-quarters of a second to take home the $5,000 first-place prize…
In a way, it was serendipity for Domine. Organizers say he was instrumental, as were other raers, in the rier’s log removal efforts before the race to clear the venue and make it safe for competition. He hurt his hand while doing so and was unsure if he would even be able to race. Two clean runs later, without even the benefit of a practice lap, he found himself on the podium, thanks largely to a blistering second lap of 1:59:18. The win earned him $5,000 in shuttle money.
Egor Voskoboynik took second at 2:02:52, pocketing $2,000, followed by Evan Garcia in the final $1,000 money spot in third at 2:03:20. Gerd Serrasoles took fourth at 2:04:63, followed by Todd Wells in fifth at 2:05:34. Katrina van Wijk was the only female participating.
Finished aside, it was the caliber of venue and competition that were celebrated most. “It was the first year I’ve been able to make it and what a good time,” maintains spectator Kevin Hill. “It was great people, amazing location, and incredible talent.”
The event started out on Thursday with the Expert Race, a downriver race through the lowest two rapids on the North Fork, beginning at the top of Juicer Rapid and concluding at the bottom of aptly named Crunch Rapid. Serrasoles took the title, followed by Pangal Asdrade Astorga and Eric Deguil.
From there it was onto the Melt Awards at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise, where viewers took in top photos and videos documenting the progression in kayaking. An awards ceremony then ensued, where the 5 Wild Cards were announced who would get to join the Elite racers down the Jacobs Ladder and Golf Course at Saturday’s marquee event.
On Friday, the action kicked off with the BoaterX race at the North Fork’s S-Turn Rapid, won by Deguil. After more music at Weilmunster Park in nearby Crouch, the Elite race drew crowds to the main event on Saturday where the world’s best launched themselves off the Red Bull Ramp straight into Jacob’s Ladder and an ensuing Class V big water maelstrom to compete for the title of King of the North Fork Championship.
After the dust settled, other paddlers up to it were invited to join the athletes as they paddle down the rest of the North Fork to Banks before celebrating in Weilmunster Park with food provided by Two Rivers Grill and beer courtesy of Payette Brewing. There the the top 10 and winners were announced (and the King of the North Fork title revealed) before a raucous after party at the Dirty Shame Saloon with DJ Revolve.
Sponsors included Tribe Riders, Kayak Session, Larry H. Miller Subaru of Boise, Dagger and Sweet Protection
Next stop? The nearby Payette River Games upstream .
Complete results: CLICK HERE
Video: CLICK HERE
