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THE NORTH FORK CHAMPIONSHIP VI, IDAHO, USA
The 2017 North Fork Championship lived up to its reputation as arguably the rowdiest, most grandiose, and full-on event in the extreme race scene. Epically high
water across the state of Idaho brought water levels on the Payette River up to 5600 cfs in the week leading up to the event, before dropping to 3900 cfs for the
three-race series. At 3900 cfs, the legendary North Fork Payette River is a raging torrent of continuous, big volume whitewater. This was the highest flow the NFC
had seen since its inauguration, and even seasoned competitors were feeling the stress. The event began with the Kokatat Downriver Qualifier on the Lower Three.
The top 10 finishers would earn the right to compete alongside 25 pre-selected elite athletes in the Giant Slalom on Jacob’s Ladder. The top 35 finishers would
compete at the next day’s BoaterX on S-Turn rapid. The wildcards were announced after an evening of kayak films and the presentation of the Whitewater Awards,
sponsored by NRS at Boise’s Egyptian Theatre. Sneaking in was Nouria Newman, the only female competitor. Johnny Chase and Carson Linsday came in hot, fresh
off a season on the Cataracts of the Kern. The surprising second place finisher was teenage local Hayden Voorhees. Celebrations and libations followed, with
performances from Adrenaline Rush and Sapient. High
flows meant big, bouncy battles the following afternoon
down the NorthFace BoaterX course. Dane Jackson
stayed smooth and consistent to take the win. Saturday
dawned bright and sunny. Always awe-inspiring, “Jake’s”
was out in full glory. Many of the competitors had
refrained from taking practice laps in hopes that the
level would continue to drop. It didn’t. With a solid safety
crew in place, the race took off without a hitch. Ryan
Bailey, Anna Bruno and James McLeod hollered out 32
athlete names from the Tower of Power, while spectators
listened in on wireless headphones. RFID chip timing
meant no one knew for sure who won the 5-gate course,
but cheers and shouts of “I told you so!” rang out as Dane
Jackson was called to the stage to be crowned King of
the North Fork for the second year running. Jackson is the
first athlete to accomplish this feat. For more results, go to
http://www.northforkchampionship.com
Words: Anna Bruno - Photo: John Webster