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Potsdam girl wins three awards at American Canoe Association whitewater national championships

Posted 9/5/11

Ellie Siegfried, 14, of Potsdam, recently won three awards in the American Canoe Association's Whitewater Open Canoe National Championships. She was awarded the traveling trophy for youngest …

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Potsdam girl wins three awards at American Canoe Association whitewater national championships

Posted

Ellie Siegfried, 14, of Potsdam, recently won three awards in the American Canoe Association's Whitewater Open Canoe National Championships.

She was awarded the traveling trophy for youngest competitor, as well as winning the mixed sprint and downriver competitions. Her partner in the mixed races was her father, Will Siegfried, who also placed second in the solo downriver race.

The races were held last month on the Deerfield River in Massachusetts, and included the Zoar Gap rapids. Racers came from as far away as Michigan and North Carolina.

“The Whitewater Nationals is an experience I will never forget”, said Ellie. “My first run down the Zoar Gap was scary, yet thrilling and exhilarating. Next year I hope my dad and I can travel to North Carolina and compete there.”

The Siegfrieds paddled canoes built at GRB Newman Designs of Canton. The tandem canoe is made of cedar wood strip, and had raced to nine national titles in the 1990s. The solo canoe, made of carbon fiber, was new this year.