As the two-week tour of competition comes to a close you might be able to accuse the Grand Prix of a lot of things: a skunk reeking havoc in a hotel room, broken beer glasses in a bar in La Tuque, egos bruised, goals realized, lines missed and stomped, but no one can claim the whitewater was anything less than representative of the top end of our sport.

Wrapping up today’s final competition with a Giant Slalom on the Bras Louis, competitors geared up under steel-grey skies and a light sprinkle of rain. White birch trees shedding their bark lined the bank of the river and competitors gathered on the bridge looking up at the first rapid, which looked full of water . It had risen significantly since yesterday and frayed nerves after days of hard paddling caused an infectious stir of anxiety among competitors, many who simply wanted to get through the day unscathed.

With a heavy ambience competitors pulled on bibs for the last time, while some, either fighting injury, fatigue, or mental blocks, decided to sit this one out. The original 15-course gate got whittled down to 12 after organizers decided the moves were too difficult at this flow. And just like the 5 competitions before this one, athletes rose to the challenge showing the world, or simply themselves, that this moment, no matter the outcome would be another achievement for themselves and the event. These are what some had to say:

“On my warm-up ride I missed like 10 gates and got beat down on the slide… and I was fresh.” – Evan Garcia

“I will tell you in 30 minutes…” – James Bebbington

“Survival Slalom.” – Tyler Curtis

“ ….all the holes are Fu***** dangerous.” Joey Hitchens

“ Yesterday I liked it, today I don’t.” Katya Kulkova

“At a certain point you stop competing and just begin to survive.” - Nick Troutman

“I just tossed a coin to see if I should go again or not … coins said no…. but I think I will give her one more run.” – James Bebbington

“I broke my paddle on the first drop.” Casper Van Kalthmout

“That surf in the hole made me re-evaluate my life.” Keagan Grady

“Aniol… he excels on the burl…” Evan Garcia

“I got air on that.” – Rush Sturges

“I got air on that… and then I pitoned the wall.” – Nick Troutman

“I was upside down resting.” – Chris Gragtmans

“I don’t know... what the f***!” – Aniol Serrassoles

“I am just stoked they put on.” – Patrick Camblin

The challenging course saw fast times from Dane Jackson, Evan Garcia, Gerd Serrasoles, Tyler Curtis and Rush Sturges. Some swims, rowdy lines, and gear failure kept the carnage level to a medium, a testament to the skill of the paddlers present. The woman’s division got cheers from the crowd as they climbed in their boats, all finishing the race with good lines and a group hug at the take-out. The rain held off as the event came to a close, everybody going home safe and ready for the closing party. In the end, Evan Garcia took first place in this Stage, his second Stage win.

- Aaron Capo Rettig

The city of Chicoutimi might be the epicenter of whitewater in Quebec with rivers in all directions, both creeks and big-water. The city is clustered around the Saguaney River and there is water everywhere.  As you climb the steep streets into downtown, visitors might feel transported to Europe as the culture here remains strongly tied to the French explorers that first founded this City.  Originally a French trading post in furs, Chicoutimi boasts a growing population of around 90,000 and is home to a branch of the University of Quebec. The Grand Prix will come to a close here with tomorrows Giant Slalom… and a closing party that may see broken losers and elated winners letting loose in a town that has gained a reputation for long nights and beautiful women. “See that drainage over there,” said Camblin pointing towards one of the many rivers on the ride into town. “That’s my future home.”

The last event of the Grand Prix will be the Giant Slalom on the class V Bras Louis River. The 18-gate course consisting of stomping holes and waterfalls is at a high flow and today compe titors got a chance to practice on the course, which will be the deciding factor for the overall winner. “This course has stayed consistent with the overall theme of the Grand Prix: Stout,” said Lou Urwin who is currently in first place in the woman’s division. “The last move has a big hole,” said Casper Van Koulthmout talking about the racecourse. “We will probably see some more swimmers.” The Giant Slalom is the 6th and final stage, and it’s results will be combined with the Best Trick, Boatercross, Time Trial, Downriver Freestyle, and Big Wave Challenge point series totals to crown the overall winner.

Tomorrow will be a decisive day for those going into the event still in contention for the overall winner. Ben Marr and Dane Jackson are points away from each other and battling for first. Rush Sturges and Nick Troutman still have a first place finish in site, but will need at least a top three finish in tomorrows race. And for some competitors who have been slowly climbing the overall point rankings, this event gives another opportunity to move up in the standings. Bryan Kirk, Chris Gragtmans and Aniol Sorresoles are among the competitors who are currently in the top ten and hope to use the Giant Slalom to propel themselves into strong overall finishes. “The multi-stage competitions require a lot more strategy then single competitions,” said Gragtmans who has stayed competitive in every event and hopes to crack top 5 with a strong race tomorrow.

After the competition tomorrow the closing party will take place at the Bao Bar in downtown Chicoutimi, which is expected to be a bender of epic proportions.

Please check back for updates, results, video and photo.

- Aaron Capo Rettig