1999 Cheat Race

1999 Cheat Race Summary

Friday, April 30, 1999
Story and Photos by Marty Lamp

With temperatures in the 70's and not a cloud in the sky, almost 48 boaters gathered for a friendly race down one of the most classic rivers in our state, the mighty Cheat. The Cheat was arguably somewhat shy of mighty, running a moderate 2.20 feet, but it proved to be a great racing level. The flat water was a little slower, and the rapids a little smaller, but with that came more rocks to navigate around. It all added up to at least an hour's worth of concentrated paddling through one of the most beautiful canyons we could ever have the privilege of floating through.

The great aspect of this race is the mass start. Wildwater boats, wavehoppers, canoes, thrillseekers, playboats, and even tandems, it doesn't matter, they all take off at the same time. They started directly below the old bridge, and the finish line was 10 miles downstream at the next bridge, just upstream of where the Big Sandy joins the Cheat.

Perhaps surprising no one, Andrew McEwan, the defending champion from 1998, (1:01:40) started in the middle of the pack, but kept a solid pace clear through the finish to win by nearly 5 minutes! In second place would be longtime racing veteran Ted Newton (1:06:28), who finally made a point to get into the Cheat Race. Two time runner up Steve Kauffman would finish next, rebounding from his lower finish last year, with Chris Iezzoni finishing fourth overall and 1st in the ‘B’ division (wavehoppers and sea kayaks). Rounding out the 5th and 6th spots had Rick Gusic, after years of trying, finally knocking off and beating boating legend Brian Homberg

In the 15th position, ’97 placewinner Tim Friday would capture his first ‘C’ class title, finishing the course in a time of 1:17:18. Right behind would be the beloved Rocky Rockwell and Curt Casey.

In the women’s division, Jan Steckel (1:23:55) would return this year (last year she raced a K2) and would reign triumphant. She was the woman’s overall winner and paddled her slalom boat to a 29th overall finish. Jan would beat last year’s ‘C’ class women winner, Amy Conger, who finished in 1:25:38.

Steve Frazier (1:29:37) won the canoe class, and proved that sometimes one blade is faster than two. Steve would become the first Open Canoe winner in Cheat Race history. Steve would beat four other canoes in the race. Congratulations Steve!. In the last division, Pete and Tim Daly would pick up and take home the ‘K2’ title, finishing in a time of 1:24:00.

Many thanks to Rob Voorhees for putting together a fine event that was organized from start to finish, and for having a van full of West Virginia Brewing Company's finest waiting at the take out. What better way to spend a Friday evening in West Virginia.