Lyons and wagers and galoshes Oh My! The 2010 Lyons Outdoor Games were by all accounts a soggy affair. The bike events were cancelled, and the raging waters of the St. Vrain river moved the paddle sport events upstream. Yet, nothing dampened the spirits of the spectators and competitors who braved the elements to participate in the 7th annual LOG.
Event organizers were pleased with the turnout in spite of the rain. “We’re a volunteer based organization, most of us have been working on this since January,” said Reed Farr, “It’s a testament to what can happen when a group comes together for their community.” The response from the kayakers was also positive according to Farr, “They are a great group of people,…even with all the chaos and relocation due to the weather, everyone just loves this event.”
The big winner of the 2010 Lyons Outdoor games has to be Tao Berman. He won both the extreme creek race and the $500 bet he placed on himself. Pete Rose would be proud, but more than that he should be jealous because Berman also walked away with a years supply of beer from the Lyons Outdoor Game’s sponsor: Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale.
The beer was an added bonus for beating all 20 racers by at least 2 seconds. Berman’s closest competitor was still 14 seconds behind.
In freestyle action, the move from Black Bear Hole to Meadow Park didn’t stop Emily Jackson from once again dominating the women’s events. She seems to be on a roll. Jackson came in 2nd at the Paddling Life.net pro invitational in Steamboat Springs, CO. Then she followed up with a 1st place performance at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, CO. Now Jackson has done it again at the LOG in Lyons, CO. Haley Mills finished 2nd and Elaine Campbell finished 3rd.
On the men’s side, Nick Troutman is back on familiar ground after getting flushed from the podium in Vail. This is Troutman’s second 1st place finish in freestyle out of the past three events.
Stephen Wright continued to nip at Troutman’s heels for 2nd and Eric Jackson took 3rd.
Next stop in the point series: The 62nd annual FibARK festival June 17-20. Downtown Salida, CO and the Arkansas river play host to the nations oldest whitewater festival. Check back to PaddlingLife.net for results and commentary next week.
2010 Lyons Outdoor Games Final Results and Prizes
EXTREME RACE, South Saint Vrain:
1. Tao Berman: 5:18, $1,500, plus year’s worth of Oskar Blues
2. Bradley Lander: 5:32, $350
3. and
4. Clay Wright/Bryan Kirk: 5:35, $200 (to split)
5. Dave Fusili: 5:39
6. Tom Janey: 5:41
7. Nick Troutman: 5:43
8. Dane Jackson 5:44
9. Jared Seiler: 5:46
10. Scott Shipley 5:48 (broken boat full of water)
Men’s Freestyle:
1. Nick Troutman-$500
2. Stephen Wright-$300
3. Eric Jackson-$150
Women’s Freestyle:
1. Emily Jackson-$500
2. Elaine Campbell-$300
3. Haley Mills-$150
Women’s JR Freestyle:
1. Lauren Burress
2. Tracy Darbeloff
3. Taylor Cote
Men’s JR Freestyle:
1. Dane Jackson
2. Quinton Barnett
3. Nico Tonozzi
Expert (Open Class):
1. Rob Anna
2. Duane Gibson
3. Connor Budell
C1 Finals:
1. Jordon Poffenberger
2. Dane Jackson
3. Jeremy Lauks
4. Jeff Campbell
