Madrid canoe regatta draws 110 paddlers

MADRID — Tough financial times didn't affect the St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers' Madrid annual canoe regatta Saturday and Sunday.

"We didn't know, with the economy, what we were going to get for turnout," said Bernard L. Moulton, Madrid, whose family organizes the annual event at the community center. "The turnout is just about identical to what we had last year. We got some new faces, which is good to see."

The event, which includes both professional and recreational races, attracted 65 boats Saturday and 45 on Sunday. Most of the professional racers aren't local but hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Canada.

"We've had to make choices," said Amy K. Rankinen, Jersey Shore, Pa., whose husband, Jeff L., and his uncle, Richard, raced at the event. "It doesn't keep us from going places."

Her family has come to the Madrid race for about seven years after hearing about it through a fellow competitor.

"It's good training," she said.

Canoeists James C. Genkos, 64, Auburn, and Gary N. Place, 62, Elbridge, came just for fun.

"We're strictly recreational," Mr. Genkos said. "We've been coming here for years and years, seems like 20 after today."

Mr. Place said he and Mr. Genkos have raced in the professional class in the past.

"That's not to say we're professional. It used to be we could make 20, 30 bucks, and pay for some of our expenses. Now, it's a labor of love," he said. "We're kind of past old. You win, that's nice. You don't, that's all right."

Thomas P. Necrason, Saranac, passed up a jazz festival in Burlington, Vt., to paddle with partner Bruce A. Kennedy, Plattsburgh. It was Mr. Necrason's first visit.

"I'm glad I came," he said. "Everything was so nice and the people are friendly. It's very well organized."