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Written by William Mills
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Sunday, 06 June 2010 16:53 |
VAIL, Colorado—The recent summer-like temperatures in the Vail Valley, have triggered a dramatic increase in the high country snowpack runoff, resulting in dangerously high water levels and flow, along with significant debris in Gore Creek, forcing organizers of the Teva Mountain Games to cancel all of Sunday’s scheduled whitewater competitions.
Cancelled competitions include the Bud Light Lime 8 Ball Kayak, presented by Jackson Kayak; the Teva Raft Cross and the new First Ascent SUP Surf Cross, presented by C4 Waterman.
“These three events are always incredible to watch and while we regret not being able to let some of the best whitewater athletes in the world test their mettle in these competitions,” explained Michael Imhof, Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Vail Valley Foundation, “we are not willing to put their safety at risk in order to run the event. One thing you quickly learn when you live in the mountains is to have a healthy respect for Mother Nature. This decision was made in conjunction with our whitewater specialists and water safety experts Dan Gavere and Charlie Ebel, who both concur that the conditions are not safe.”
Gavere and Ebel agree that they would prefer more predictable and consistent flows to ensure a safe environment for Sunday’s slate of whitewater compeititons.
“I know that if I were a competitor that was registered for today’s competitions,” offered Gavere, “I wouldn’t be out there.” Gore Creek measured at a high of 1700 Cubic Feet per second (CFS) in the early morning hours on Saturday and 2700 CFS in the early morning hours on Sunday.”“With Sunday’s weather likely to be very warm once again, we expect similar dramatic drops and increases in levels and flow,” Ebel added. “We are seeing water levels on Gore Creek at a 20 year high."In addition to the high levels and flow, Mother Nature has also unleashed a torrent of debris that is making its way down Gore Creek as well, including logs, large rocks and stumps that further compound the danger to anyone in the water.
High Water Cancels Teva Whitewater Competition
“Along with canceling the whitewater competitions,” concluded Imhof, “we are in a high water situation and strongly encourage all boaters to use extreme caution and conservative judgement.”The Organizers will refund the entry fees for all athletes who were registered for the 8 Ball Kayak, Raft Cross and SUP Surf Cross competitions.Although the three whitewater competitions are crowd favorites, the final day of the Teva Mountain Games still has much to offer all the guests in town. Sunday will showcase the finals of the Eukanuba Dockdogs competitions, the youth and adult citizens bouldering comps, the Road Bike time trial, the 10K Spring Run Off, the exciting and diverse GearTown, Green Light and Adventure Village exposition venues and the Men's Slopestyle qualifiers and finals.
The Teva Mountain Games are a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For more information on the Mountain Games, visit www.tevamountaingames.com.
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