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Second annual Whistler Creek Cup a success

For the second year in a row kayaker Braden Fandrich has won the event he himself created, posting the lowest combined time on Upper Cheakamus, Soo River and Callaghan River courses in three days of racing.

For the second year in a row kayaker Braden Fandrich has won the event he himself created, posting the lowest combined time on Upper Cheakamus, Soo River and Callaghan River courses in three days of racing.

Despite that fact, Fandrich says the competition was tougher than ever before, with less than a minute separating first from last in all three events. That’s impressive considering that times for each event were between 10 and 12 minutes, and all of the runs were at least moderately technical.

"I’m extremely pleased how this year’s event turned out," said Fandrich. "Although there wasn’t much of a difference in the number of competitors this year from last year, there was an even higher quality of athlete who attended."

The field included 20 paddlers from across Canada, the U.S., Germany, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

Behind Fandrich, who calls Lytton home, second place went to Lochie Mackenzie from Vernon. Corey Boux of Whistler was third, Mikkel St. Jean-Duncan of Nelson was fourth, and Paul Button of New Zealand was fifth.

In addition to providing a venue for the sport, Fandrich created the event to draw attention to the issue of run-of-the-river hydro projects and their impact on whitewater sports.