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The
Great Mississippi River Race for
Rett Syndrome, May 2001
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Pictures
Finish
Race
Results - Teams Survive World's Longest, Toughest Race
In
true "Survivor" form, two teams of undaunted paddlers finished
the longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in history when they
arrived at where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of
Mexico, ending an epic journey of 2,348 miles that encountered
everything from exhaustion to some of the worst flooding on
record. The race
started on May 5th, 2001 at 6:00 AM from the Douglas Lodge
area on Lake Itasca and ends af Mile 0 South of Venice, Louisiana!
Team
Kruger, led by the renowned Verlen Kruger and Bob Bradford,
placed first in their specialized canoe at 24 days, 17 hours,
51 minutes. Team Double Helix, featuring the event's unique
flagship kayak called the Double Helix, placed second at 26
days, 6 hours, 40 minutes. Team Alaska, showing
true perserverance and dedication, replaced a kayak
after it was lost in a harrowing rapids in Minnesota and stayed
in the race! Team Alaska remained on the river until May 31
and pulled out at mile marker 707. Teams Amazons of the Mississippi
and Team Rebels with a Cause made a gallant effort but had
to withdraw from the race after the first week.
Team
Double Helix - Second Place Winners!
Team
Double Helix, featuring the event's unique flagship kayak
called the Double Helix, placed second at 26 days, 6 hours,
40 minutes.
See their finish line
video.
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Team
Double Helix at mile marker 0 - you can just make
out the 0 on the sign. Kurt Zimmermann is in the front
of the Double Helix, Clark Eid in the back.
Team
Double Helix and Team Kruger were both escorted approximately
the last 10 miles by a local boat and crew, which
was set up with the assistance of Don Keller of New
Orleans, LA., our Official Race Time Keeper.
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Team
Alaska -3rd
Place Winners!
Team
Alaska, showing
true perserverance and dedication, replaced
a kayak after it was lost in a harrowing rapids in
Minnesota and stayed in the race! Team Alaska remained
on the river until May 31 and pulled out at mile marker
707.
Team
Alaska poses for a final picture May 31, support vehicle
and race craft are in the background.
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The
Trophies
By Craig's Carvings
Trophies
graciously donated by Craig's carvings to be awarded
to the top 3 teams. Trophies were designed by Craig,
and represent the race course (10 states the Mississippi
River passes through) with the a likeness of the team's
race craft on top.
Team
Alaska (green, left), Team Double Helix (middle) and
Team Kruger (white, right). Each trophy is symbolic
of the boat used for that team during the race on
top of a wood map of the states bordering the Mississippi
River. Thank you Craig! for your wonderful donation
and using your incredible wood working skills to support
this charity event!
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More Race Pictures
Day
Before & Start:
Day
Before the Race - Getting Ready for the Race
Dinner
& Night before the Race - Rett Syndrome Families host
a Dinner for Teams
Morning Right Before
The Start - Last Minute Preparations
The Start - Teams Draw
Straws to Determine Order of Start,
Steve Landick Starts the Race,
During
the Race:
Team
Alaska
Team
Amazons of the Mississippi
Team
Double Helix
Team
Kruger
Team
Rebels with a Cause
Finish
Line/Last Day Photos:
Finish
line/day photo - Team Kruger is 1st, Team Double Helix 2nd,
Team Alaska 3rd
More
Photos:
River
conditions, bogs, floods, barges, and dangers
Race
Boats - Photos & Information
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