1998 Cheat Race

1998 Cheat Race Summary – “The dethroning of the king”

May 5th, 1998
Albright, West Virginia

The third annual Cheat Race this past weekend will be noted and remembered for a number of reasons, as this year’s race packed more fireworks than ever! In addition to a number of new racers showing up (38 racers in all) and old legends returning, the race organizer, Rob Voyhees, decided to make the race course the entire length of the Cheat Canyon. Racers this year would have to contend with every rapid in the Canyon, racing the ten-mile course from bridge to bridge!

First up would be the defeat of the perennial champ, 42-year-old long time reigning world-class IV+ downriver racer Roger Zbel. A fresh group of racers would arrive from the Washington DC area, led by racing sensation newcomer, Andrew McEwen. McEwen would smash the course into pieces, going from bridge to bridge in 58:24, nearly 3:14 seconds ahead of the second place Zbel (1:01:38). This win was foreshadowed by Andrew’s defeat of Roger 8 months earlier in the ’97 Gauley Race. Proving that win wasn’t a fluke, Andrew has now stepped up over and ahead of Roger, assuming the title.

To put things into perspective, a quick mention of the length of Roger’s reign should be noted. Roger had won 16 out of 17 Upper Yough down river races. He had won the first two Cheat Races. He had won the first four Gauley races from 1993 to 1996. His total domination of the racing scene had lasted from 1981 to 1997. An incredible performance, over a period that may never be matched again. It should also be noted that even though Roger lost, he still finished second and was almost 3 ½ minutes in front of the 3rd place finisher.

Also of interest in this year’s race was the return of the 80’s squirt boating legend Jess Whittemore, from his long self-induced retirement. Jess, paddling a Perception Wavehopper, blazed out to a time of 1:05:08, finishing 3rd overall and 1st in the ‘B’ Division. Right behind Jesse was another DC newcomer, Chris Norbury (4th, 3rd in the A class), and then Brian Homberg (5th overall, 2nd in the B class). Rick Gusic would round out the ‘B’ division, taking 7th overall and 3rd in the class.

In the women’s ‘B’ division, Colleen Laffey would put on one of the best performances in Cheat Race history, finishing an incredible 11th overall, with a time of 1:12:55. She would finish nearly 6 minutes ahead of the 2nd place woman finisher, Tracy Hines. In the women’s ‘C’ division, Amy Conger would take the title, completing the course in 1:26:14/.

In the men’s ‘C’ class, (any boats 13’2” or shorter) John Edmunds would win his first title, finishing in 1:13:20. Not far behind would the 2nd and 3rd place winners, Nate Lucas and Pittsburgh boating legend, Bob Gedekoh.

The last award was handed out to the Dave Bassage and Jan Steckel (a two time women’s division winner). Jan paired up with Dave to compete in the newly formed ‘K2’ class, easily winning it with the time of 1:18:26, nearly seven minutes ahead of the nearest competitor.