CITROEN RACE, KAWARU RIVER, NEW ZEALAND, MARCH 2022
The Citroën Race is the sickest, stoutest, and most gnarly whitewater kayaking event in New Zealand. Race day was on March 12th, 2022, with a race record low flow of 80 cumecs on the Kawarau River. Sixteen of the best kayakers in New Zealand raced each other in heats of four, starting on a ramp specially constructed for the event. After the first seeding round, the top two racers of each heat advanced to the next round. The final consisted of Kenny Mutton, Philip Claassens, Liam Hopkinson, and Zack Mutton. After a fast and exciting final involving Liam back looping over Kenny through the biggest hole in the rapid, Zack Mutton, an aspiring TikTok influencer, came out on top with the win. All the racers made it down safely, and everyone had a great time. Final results: First: Zack Mutton, second: Liam Hopkinson, third: Phillip Claassens. Junior Men: First: Tom Goldsmith.
Words: Maxy Rayner | Photography: Ryan Lucas
US FREESTYLE TEAM TRIALS, RIVERSPORT, OKLAHOMA CITY, USA, MARCH 2022
The 2022 US Team Trials for the Worlds in Nottingham, England, took place in an entirely new location—Riversport in Oklahoma City, OK. Athletes could pay to camp onsite, maximizing the 6+ hours of water time per day. The routine of eat, sleep, kayak had everyone training hard. The feature, a low-volume hole, allowed people to learn new tricks and dial combos. The event landed on a
