Published: October 04, 2008 09:39 pm         

U.S. Navy-Coast Guard team wins Wilderness Challenge rafting

New River Gorge picture-perfect setting for the 54-mile event

LANSING — LANSING — The combined teams of the U.S. Navy Dominators from Virginia Beach, Va., and U.S. Coast Guard from Homestead, Fla., rafted to victory with guide Linc Stalling on the first day of this weekend’s all-military challenge in the New River Gorge.

Second place went to U.S. Navy Tropical Disturbance from Norfolk, Va., and Coast Guard Team Awesome of Portsmouth, Va., with guide Graham Storey and third place to the U.S. Navy teams Here for Beer from Norfolk, Va., and Giant Killers of Virginia Beach that rafted with Steve Warden.

Sixty teams from every branch of the United States military are competing in the annual 54-mile competition, officials said.

“This is the eighth year for the challenge, which this year includes retirees and reserve divisions and a team of wounded warriors who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Dave Arnold, a managing partner at Class VI-Mountain River.

The event is coordinated by the Navy Mid-Atlantic Region Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department and hosted by Class VI-Mountain River. ACE Adventure Center, Alpine Adventures, North American River Runners and River Expeditions support the event by providing whitewater rafting equipment for the teams. The National Park Service also supports the challenge.

“This is a great event for these teams who come here to challenge themselves and score a win for their teams and their branches of the service,” Arnold said. “The camaraderie, team spirit and energy of this weekend event are exciting to watch.”

Friday’s events included an 8-K mountain run, a half-mile Gauley River swim and a 13-mile whitewater rafting race on the Gauley River.

On Saturday, the teams competed in a 14-mile mountain hike, a 14-mile mountain bike race and a 7-mile kayak race on the New River.

Saturday evening, the teams got together at Smokey’s on the Gorge for the closing dinner and awards presentations.

“They were joined by Sgt. 1st Class Billy R. VanSoelen, leader of the tandem team for the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team,” Arnold said.

VanSoelen began jumping in 1990 and has completed more than 10,750 freefall parachute jumps, 278 static line jumps and 1,500 tandem jumps.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com