Timberline Tours: 2007 U.S. Whitewater Rafting Teams

US Men's Team  |  US Women's Team

These Vail based team's have had a few athlete changes over the last several years, however, some things have remained constant and that is the team's ties to Timberline Tours and their continued success in races around the world. Whitewater rafting competitions are comprised of several events throughout the summer season with a National event held every fall to determine the U.S. Team for the following season.  The U.S. team from the previous season travels to the World Championships that is held every other year.  Listed below are a few of the reigning U.S. teams stand out accomplishments.

• The women's team traveled to Zambia, Africa in September 2001 to compete in the Camel Whitewater World Championships, on the Zambezi River, one of the tougher rivers in the whitewater world. The team raced to a Gold Medal win in the Downriver race taking just over an hour to accomplish this feat.

• The same fall the teams returned to the USA for the International Rafting Federation World Championships on the Gauley River in West Virginia.  The women's team landed a Gold Medal in the Sprint to finish out a terrific 2001 season.

• In 2003 the men's team "Behind The Eight Ball" and the women's team
  "Team Timberline", who joined forces with a few of the California girl's team, headed to the Czech Republic, for the World Championship. The men placed fourth overall

• This past summer the teams headed to Ecuador to compete in yet another World Championship.  They competed in the largest field of men's and women’s teams since the events inception. The women placed third in a grueling hour long downriver race and the men placed third overall.

Whitewater raft racing pits teams of six paddlers against one another in a combination of events-usually a sprint, slalom and a downriver race. Endurance, finesse, teamwork and courage are put to the test as competitors race for the overall title. The men and women have acquired an arsenal of advanced paddling techniques over the years and follow a strength and endurance schedule.  Armed with hard work and determination, they continue to face the world wearing red, white and blue.

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