Monday photo feature

The Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon-Washington state line will play host to the Gorge Downwind Championships next month.  Meanwhile, the "Vortex Series" has provided some warmup races out there in May and June.  The third of these three races took place weekend before last.

The conditions were uncharacteristically flat, but that didn't stop the athletes from creating plenty of excitement.  Aaron Small of Gig Harbor, Washington, edged out Austin Kieffer of Los Angeles, California, for the overall win.  Greg Barton of Seattle, Washington, racing with stitches in his hand after slamming it in a car door, took third place just a few seconds back.

Pictured above is the race for fourth place.  Andrew McEwan of White Salmon, Washington, had to fend off a charge from 19-year-old phenomenon Ana Swetish of Bellingham, Washington.

My arrival in the Columbia Gorge is drawing ever closer.  I plan to drive out of Memphis this Thursday and be in the Gorge by the 6th of July.

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