John Alsop of Cornville was recently elected president of the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization, a statewide gropu formed in 1986 in order to promote canoe and kayak racing throughout the state.

MaCKRO is affiliated with other regional and national canoe-racing clubs.

Alsop is a veteran canoe racer who recently participated in the triple crown of North American canoe racing, which included completion of the Ausable Marathon, a 120-mile overnight race in Michigan.

Alsop hopes to increase participation in competitive paddling throughout the state.

“Maine has a great tradition for paddle sports,” Alsop said. “Canoe and kayak racing is great exercise, an great social activity and lots of fun, and we have tremendous water resources in which to do it.”

The 2007 MaCKRO race schedule will be released in the near future.