Monday Photo Feature

I took this picture of the C2 team of Frank Babcock and Jeff Larimer at the national team trials for whitewater slalom on the Ocoee River in 2001.  These two paddlers, both around 20 years old at that time, were considered an up-and-coming team behind the more established pair of David Hepp and Scott McCleskey.

Babcock has since hung up his slalom racing paddle, but Larimer (in the yellow helmet above) has stayed in the sport, competing in both C1 and C2.  Last month, Larimer and C2 partner Eric Hurd made the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team and will start their preliminary heat in London on the 30th of this month.  Among the U.S. C2s they beat out for the Olympic spot was a reunited team of Hepp and McCleskey.