5-5-7 Snake River Canoe Race (Mora) was held on Knife Lake this year because of the low level of the river.  Facing a forecast of 20-25 mph E by SE wind with gusts up to 35, we were expecting a ride better than any ride at Mall of America.  However, the officials of this race were more than prepared.  They started the race on the east bank and went north to the end of the lake, turned the buoy and past the 40 or so frozen spectators at the start/finish line to the south end of the lake and back.  One note, Rick Lorenzen crossed the start line on his southern journey and raised his hands high in the air to mark his “finish” of the race.  Spectators and trees alike screamed, no, no, no…keep going!  Good old Rick purposely looked disappointed and grudgingly continued on. 

People from Mora refer to them selves as “morons”.  Rick should be an honorary moron for this one.

In the immortal words of Gene Jensen, “I have never been to a race I didn’t like that I had won”.  My partner Kolls Eggelkraut and I captured the non aluminum citizens ages 71 to 100 class.  With medals for 1^st through 3^rd in all of nearly 30 classes, and 141 unofficial entries, one only has to pass 3^rd grade math to realize many people went home happy.

The “official morons” do the nicest job of putting on an exciting, inviting, and outright fun event.  From the secret pancake breakfast served by the Mora Jr. Royalty, to the wader filled helpers at the end of the race, to the ever entertaining PA, this event is more than a canoe race.  It is an annual event that averages 150 to 200 canoes every year, mostly recreational. So, from each of the paddlers, congratulations and thanks.

For those that missed the event and for those who want to re-live it, there will be pictures up within a couple of days at www.straightriverdigital.com  courtesy of Larry Kriesel. (507-451-0325)