FREDERICKTOWN HOSTS OLYMPIC QUALIFYING EVENT

FREDERICKTOWN -- Hundreds of aspiring Olympians will converge on Millstream Gardens Conservation Area (CA) March 19, hoping to show their mettle in the icy waters of the St. Francis River and win the right to compete in the Olympic Games.

The event marks the first time the Southern Regional Olympic Festival Trials have been held in Missouri. Mary Burrows is vice president of media for the Midwest Foundation for Whitewater Excellence and marketing chair for the Missouri Whitewater Association (MWA). The two organizations co-sponsor the event. She said Olympic officials chose Millstream Gardens CA (owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation) because of its outstanding natural beauty and challenging whitewater.

According to Burrows, the competition will take place at Tiemann Shut-ins, a narrow corridor that the St. Francis River has carved into igneous rock. She said the difficulty of the rapids at Millstream Gardens CA ranges from Class II to Class V, depending on water level. She said Class V is the roughest water considered navigable under the classification system.

"I saw this stretch of water after the heavy rains last November," said Burrows. "It was too wild to even imagine. The area is gorgeous." The stretch of river also has been designated a state natural area.

Burrows said she expects 50 to 100 kayak and whitewater canoe enthusiasts to take part in the Olympic trials from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. March 19. At stake are spots on the U.S. Olympic Festival Canoe and Kayak Team. Also on March 19, the MWA will hold its 27th annual Missouri Whitewater Championships, expert and masters classes.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20, another 75 to 100 canoeists and kayakers will compete in the 27th annual Missouri Whitewater Championships, novice, plastic kayak and decked canoe and open boat classes.

Additional information about the events is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Missouri Whitewater Association, 6633 San Bonita Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105, or by calling Burrows at (314) 725-1907. For information about camping, hotels and other accommodations near Millstream Gardens CA, call the Fredericktown Chamber of Commerce, (314) 783-2604 or the Arcadia Valley Chamber of Commerce, (314) 546-7117.