Thursday May 3rd UPDATE:
Official results are now up...links below. There were some timing issues and they've sorted it out. Turns out I was 5th in my class. And huge congrats to our local Lake Norman podium finishers Rob Cornwell (2nd in Men's Surf Rec race), Jen Cesmat (2nd in Women's Surf Rec race), and Nick Cesmat (3rd in Men's 12'6" Rec race, 1st Junior overall, & 8th Overall). And I think there were closer to 18 or 19 Charlotte/Lake Norman area paddlers representing at this event.
Graveyard 12.5 mile Elite race - by divisions
Graveyard 12.5 mile Elite race - overall results
Money Island 6 mile Open race - by divisions
Money Island 6 mile Open race - overall results
Harbor Island 3.5 mile Rec race - by divisions
Harbor Island 3.5 mile Rec race - overall results
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A large group of paddlers from the greater Charlotte and Lake Norman area converged on Wrightsville Beach, NC this past weekend for the 2nd Annual
Carolina Cup. This event has easily become the east coast's biggest race, drawing 350 racers this year for 3 different races, plus sprint & kids races (and 4 different clinics). Once again, fun was had by all, and Charlotte/Lake Norman represented well with approx 15 competitors and some very nice finishes. We even got in a little sunrise SUP surfing Sunday morning in some small but fun surf. The race organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and host hotel Blockade Runner all did a great job running the event. There are tons more pics all over the web and Facebook. I think a video of the weekend's races and festivities will be released soon and I'll share it here once it is.
Click on the photos below to see high res slide show (use bottom banner to scroll)
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My girls & I before the races |
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The start of the Money Island Open 6 mile race....120 paddlers strong. I finished 6th in the Men's 12'6" race class. Lots of strong competition. |
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Rob finishing strong in the surf class of the Harbor Island 3.5 mile race...good enough for 2nd place in that class...and on my old Big Blue SOS board as well! |
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Dawn also finishing strong in the Harbor Island 3.5 mile race....6th in the Women's 12'6" race class. |
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Jen running across the mat for a strong 2nd place finish in the Women's surf class in the Harbor Island 3.5 mile race. |
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McIntyre finished 3rd in the Junior's division of the Harbor Island 3.5 mile race. Matt & Jen's 16 year old son Nick finished 3rd in the Men's 12'6" race class of the same race. |
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McIntyre beating her mama (holding paddle) to the finish...mama was struggling to keep up with her daughter the entire race....LOL! |
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That says it all |
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Our bud Bill completing the Money Island Open 6 mile race....way to go Bill! |
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Most of the Lake Norman crew chilling out on the beach after our races and watching the finish of the Graveyard 12.5 mile Elite race. |
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Rob claiming his 2nd place trophy |
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Jen on the podium for her 2nd place finish |
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Pros Anthony Vela and Candice Appleby doing the kids clinic |
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Waterturtle on the left in the sprint races. I got through 2 rounds and made it to the final 4 (out of only 10 men competing), but lost out after that. |
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Jake and I before his kids' race |
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Jake digging in for the home stretch of the kids' race. This was probably the best part of the weekend watching the kids having a blast. |
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Last year's winner, Anthony Vela |
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This year's winner (by a large margin) and one of the fastest guys on the planet, Danny Ching |
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multiple Battles of the Paddle champion, Candice Appleby |
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Danny Ching and Dan Gavere freestylin' |
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McIntyre paddling with 15 yr old phenom and sponsored Bark competitor, Bailey Rosen |