Pacifico Down River R2 Raft Sprint

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Wave 1 – 8:00 AM
Wave 2 – 10:00 AM
Wave 3 – 12:00 PM

Identical in format to the Down River Kayak and SUP Sprints, the Pacifico R2 Raft Sprint is a 4-mile raft race (two person rafts) on the Class II/III whitewater of Gore Creek from East Vail to the Covered Bridge in Mountain House Gear Town. With a rally race format, rafters drop at timed intervals and teams will be racing against the clock.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

8:00 AM – Wave 1
10:00 AM – Wave 2
12:00 PM – Wave 3

CATEGORIES:

Open – Team of 2
Women – Team of 2*

Note: Due to boat restrictions we will run 3 waves of 12 teams. This event will be capped at 36 teams total.
*In order to have a Women’s category, a minimum of 6 teams must be registered, IF this number is not reached all teams will race in the Open division with one award ceremony.

EQUIPMENT:

• Raft specifications for the 2024 event are as follows: 10.5 foot MAX length.
• Hyside 10.5 Mini Max rafts will be available for competitors needing a raft. 
  • A limited number of Hyside rafts will be available in each wave.
  • Competitors needing a raft MUST make this request on the registration form.
  • Competitors may bring their own Hyside 10.5 Mini-Max raft. No shredders allowed.
• Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFD at all times.
• Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the GoPro Mountain Games whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.

Required EQUPMENT:

• Coast Guard / ISO approved PFD
• Helmet
• Protective footwear
• Throw-bag
• Paddles

Recommended Equipment:

• Dry-suit, wetsuit, or splash pants
• Organizers encourage athletes to bring their own paddles, but paddles will be available if needed.

FORMAT & RULES:

• Athletes should arrive at the put-in no less than 45 minutes before their race wave start time to go through a gear check, attend a safety meeting and pick up their competition bib. The safety meeting times are 7:15 AM (Wave 1), 9:15 AM (Wave 2), and 11:15 AM (Wave 3). 
• When registering, rafters will select a wave (8:00 AM, 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM) and must adhere to that wave start time.
• Paddlers who lose their equipment and require a rescue of any kind and/or appear to be excessively struggling and swimming will be pulled from the course by our safety team. Paddlers who lose their gear and exit the river will receive a DNF.
• If a paddler is being overtaken by another “faster” paddler from behind, they must yield to the faster/overtaking paddler in a safe and respectful manner. This will not affect a penalty or DQ unless the paddler being overtaken uses blocking or any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
• All athletes should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.
• CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Before participating in this year’s GoPro Mountain Games, athletes’ gear should be CLEAN of plants, mud, and debris; DRAINED of standing water; and completely DRY before your competition. Following these CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY steps helps to protect the waters we paddle from aquatic invasive species.

RAFT DROP INFO:

Athletes will only need to show up to the morning meeting with their paddle, PFD, and other personal gear. Rafts can be dropped at Vail Village Parking Structure the morning of the race beginning at 6:30 AM and will be shuttled to the put-in point. 

race start info:

The race start is in East Vail at the end of Aspen Lane. There is no parking available, so athletes may be dropped off or take the shuttles provided by Lakota Guides and Timberline Guides starting at 6:30 AM on Saturday from the top of the Vail Village Parking Structure. Please allow plenty of time to check in and attend the mandatory safety meeting.  

*Please respect the Aspen Lane neighborhood and use the supplied porta johns at the put-in area. 

directions to put-in:

From Vail Village: head east on South Frontage Road about three (3) miles. Turn right on Aspen Lane. This road is located right before you go under the highway. Put-in is located at end of Aspen Lane, at the “T” intersection of Booth Creek Lane.

2023 RESULTS

PRICE

EARLY BIRD  // February 1 – April 4, 2024
$80/boat

STANDARD // April 5 – May 28, 2024
$85/boat

EVENT WEEK // May 29 – June 7, 2024
$100/boat

*The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must have both team members register by June 1st at 6:00 PM.

PAYOUT

Total Prize Purse: $3,000

OPEN
1st Place Team – $750 ($375 per person)

2nd Place Team – $500 ($250 per person)

3rd Place Team – $250 ($125 per person)

WOMEN
1st Place Team – $750 ($375 per person)

2nd Place Team – $500 ($250 per person)

3rd Place Team – $250 ($125 per person)

* In order to have a Women’s category, a minimum of 6 teams must be registered, IF this number is not reached all teams will race in the Open division and prize money will be adjusted.

PRIZES

Prizes to be determined.