Bogalusa Crew 313 leads in three categories at 45th White River National Invitational Race

After the first day’s competition in the 120-mile, 45^th annual White River National Invitational Canoe Race, Bogalusa’s Venturer Crew holds down first place in three categories and is second, third and fourth in another.

 

The squad, winners of 11 national championships at the meet, lead by five minutes, 39 seconds in Open Cruising, by 25 minutes, 29 seconds in Boys Aluminum-Advanced and by 28 minutes, 39 seconds in Boys Aluminum-Novice.

Russelville, Ark. is in second in Open Cruising, while Little Rock, Ark. is in second in Boys Aluminum-Advanced and Bryan, Texas in second in Boys Aluminum-Novice.

In Boys Aluminum-Beginners, Crew 313 trails Crew 300 of Russellville, Ark. by five minutes, 49 seconds for second, seven minutes, 44 seconds for third and nine minutes, 52 seconds for fourth.

Bogalusa’s open cruising team had the highest average speed for the day at 10.6 miles per hour over the three legs. The team averaged 13.21 miles per hour on the 17-mile leg from Bull Shoals Dam to Cotter, 9.61 miles per hour on the 13.3 mile second leg from Cotter to Buffalo City and 8.98 miles per hour on the 12.3 mile third leg, which ran from Buffalo City to Norfork.

With 42.6 miles in the books, team rise early on Friday to have their canoes at the water by 7:45 to meet the 8 a.m. start. The first leg of the day, the second-longest of the entire race, is from Norfork to Callico Rock. After this 18-mile leg, crews may change paddlers in preparation for leg five, a 17-mile leg from Callico Rock to Allison/Sylamore.

At Sylamore, teams will have a cookout and a talent show prior to getting some sleep and rest for the championship push on Saturday.

Crew 313 is sponsored by the Bogalusa newspaper. A total of 24 teams from six states entered the race.

(Published first at www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)