Rain deluge keeps St. George, Passy canoe races on schedule

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When the latest winter storm dumped inches of snow, ice, and water over the weekend, many of us likely decided to hunker down, close our eyes, and ignore the whole event.

Not Dale Cross.

One man’s deluge, you see, is another man’s relief.

And since Cross is the guy who organizes the first two whitewater canoe races on the eastern Maine schedule, you can forgive him for being a bit excited by the recent precipitation.

“This past weekend was wonderful for the [St. George River] race and the river,” Cross said on Monday. “All that rain we got, it’s still iced in, but it’s coming out fast and it’s higher than it was all last spring right now.”

Ah. Last year. The spring of Cross’s discontent.

As you may recall, things were a bit different a year ago. Night-and-day different. Wet-and-dry different.

A year ago, both of the season’s first two races – the St. George River Race in Searsmont and the Passagassawaukeag River Race in Waldo – were canceled due to extreme low water. That hadn’t happened in the 28-year history of the St. George Race, or the 34-year history of the Passagassawakeag.

“The [ice was] out early last year, and there was just a little bit of water running down the steam,” Cross said. “Seriously, you could skip across on rocks. We couldn’t get a boat down through.”

That low water and the cancellation of two early races was costly to other races as well, Cross thinks.

“I think it affected the rest of the season, even though a lot of the races happened,” he said. “The attendance was low in most of the races. I’m hoping this year we get off with a big bang for all of the races.”

This year’s St. George Ricer race will be run on March 31, The “Passy” will follow on April 7.

And Cross is licking his chops.

Last week, he paddled the St. George and made it from the starting line almost all the way to the first set of rapids – a distance of about three miles.

“The Kenduskeag [Stream Canoe Race] is the granddaddy of the races, but I think the first two or three races beforehand are really great [because people can] get their paddles wet, and sometimes their whole bodies wet,” Cross said. “I went out there today and I can tell you, the St. George is roaring.”

Roaring, but not entirely passable. Not quite yet.

“But if we get a little bit of warm weather this week you may be able to paddle this weekend, I hope,” Cross said.

While the faint-of-heart may hear the word “roaring” and think that diehard paddlers are a bit extreme, Cross said high water can make the difference between a mediocre turnout for a race and a record-setting year.

And make no mistake about it: He wants a record-breaking year this year as the St. George race returns.

That would take about 130 boats, which is the goal he has set for himself.

“That’s when we have the most paddlers, when she’s up and dangerous and wild,” Cross said. “Hopefully, it won’t be dangerous, but it can get wet and wild, I’ll tell you.”

One thing, the veteran race director said, is certain … more or less.

The St. George River Race won’t be canceled due to low water this year.

“Don’t worry about this year. Knock on wood, things are looking very, very good for a good ride,” Cross said. “There’s a lot of water in the woods, and it’s waiting to break free.”

And Cross is even willing to make a guarantee … almost.

“On the day of the race down here in Searsmont, it’s going to be 70 degrees and sunny,” he joked.

Kirsten Clark retires

News out of Portland on Monday wasn’t entirely unexpected but likely still saddened many in the Maine ski community: Kirsten Clark will retire after the current season ends.

Clark, who grew up in Raymond and attended Carrabassett Valley Academy, was a mainstay of the U.S. Ski Team for 13 years and competed in three Olympics – Nagano in 1998, Salt Lake City in 2002, and Turin in 2006.

Despite giving away plenty of size to her opponents – a potential disadvantage in the speed events – the 5-foot-6, 145-pound Clark remains the only skier to win four consecutive U.S. downhill titles.

Clark suffered several serious crashes during her career, including one in 2004 during which she broke her wrist and tore ligaments in both knees.

Clark, who turns 30 in April, won the silver medal in the super-G at the 2003 World Championships.

I’ve dealt with Clark on a couple of occasions when the nation’s top racers stopped at Sugarloaf/USA for the U.S. Alpine Championships.

During those brief postrace conversations, a couple of things became quickly apparent.

First, she is very proud of her Maine roots and loved the chance to race at her home hill.

And second, there aren’t many world-class athletes who are as humble and appreciative of the opportunities they’ve gained through sport.

Clark seemed reluctant to talk about herself at times and always made sure to give credit to those around her.

In an era of flamboyant stars, Clark helped provide a solid foundation for the U.S. ski program.

And despite her retirement, her long career and successes should continue to provide inspiration to the next generation of Carrabassett Valley Academy athletes.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.