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Proud Flotilla: 71st Potomac Downriver Race Results, Photos

Paddlers young, young at heart, and of various ages in between challenged each other and themselves May 9 in the 71^st running of the CCA Annual Potomac Downriver race.

The 7½-mile race from below Great Falls to Sycamore Island took place in fair weather at the relatively low river level of 3.05 feet on the Little Falls gage. Organizers were relieved that the race was able to proceed as usual, water quality having recovered sufficiently from the epic sewage spill into the Potomac in January.

Fifty-three paddlers competed in race classes formed through consideration of boat types, numbers of paddlers, gender, and age. Boat types included solo and tandem canoes, long (greater than 11 feet) and short solo kayaks, solo and tandem inflatables, a wildwater solo canoe, a wildwater solo kayak, and an SUP. The flotilla included nine tandems. "We love how the community shows up for this event every year and the variety of craft we get to see out on the river," says Grace Hassler, CCA's Facebook page administrator, in a May 17 posting that thanks a long list of volunteers who make the race possible.

2026 race graphic (design by Grace Hassler)

Various craft were represented in the top five fastest times. The overall winner was Patrick Khaghani, paddling the wildwater solo kayak. Patrick also led the pack in last year's race. The 3.05 river level had its inevitable impact, as evidenced by Patrick's winning time of 1:08:56 this year, compared to 0:54:32.5 at last year's level of 4.15. Finishing next were Hugh Hilliard (long kayak), David Solana (long kayak), Bob Bofinger (wildwater solo canoe), and tandem canoeists Amy Thornton and Eric Jones.

The CCA website has the complete results broken down by class as well as by overall position.

Photos below:

• Patrick Khaghani at the dock after his overall 1^st place finish (photo by Lien James)

• Hugh Hilliard, 2^nd place overall, at Yellow Falls (photo by Michael D. Graham)

• Amy Thornton and Eric Jones, 5^th place overall, at Yellow Falls (photo by Michael D. Graham)

• Racers' first challenge—getting to the starting line (photo by Jen Sass)

For more race photos:

All racers at the finish line, photos by Lien James and Diane Hobbs

CCA Facebook page

• Various racers at Yellow Falls, posted by Michael Graham, May 9

• Before the race start, posted by Jen Sass, May 9

• Awards, posted by Diane Hobbs, May 26 (also in a photo album on the CCA website)

Enders, photo by Diane Hobbs

Thank you to race volunteers—Facebook page, posted by Grace Hassler, May 17

CCA thanks its generous race sponsors!

Gold Sponsors

Immersion Research

Team River Runner

Silver Sponsors

Great Falls Foundation

Potomac Riverkeeper Network

Bronze Sponsors

Calleva River School

Lucky Clover Fiber Mill

River Riders

RVA Paddlesports

Washington Canoe Club