We got a minute to chat with 13-time Green Race champion Adriene Levknecht to share about her back to back win at the Lord of the Fork and how she feels going into Green Race!
The Greatest Show in Sports #greenraceistomorrow
Longboat season is coming to an end in an exciting way with Green Race this weekend. We were stoked to meet up in between practice laps with the Queen of the Green and all-around stoked Dagger Kayaks athlete Adriene Levknecht and collect her thoughts!
Coming off the exciting weekend, back to back title of the "Female Lord of the Fork", can you tell us a bit about the weekend?
I finally fell in love with the Russel Fork just this year. After spending the spring/summer out west paddling bigger whitewater, I felt right at home, after something like 10 years of racing that river! It was amazing. I felt pretty strong but definitely left some windows open for faster times which is always nice.
What gear are you rocking these days? PFD, Helmet, Skirt, Paddle (Offset and Length), Boat?
I have an NRS Zen rescue vest for training and a Ninja for racing. My helmet is a Dagger branded Sweet Rocker, my skirt is the Dagger branded Palm sprayskirt (also the most dry skirt I’ve ever owned). My paddle is a Werner Odachi, small bent shaft and I switch between a 200 cm and a 197 cm. Finally, my boat is a Dagger Vanguard, honestly the best long boat ever made.
If someone just getting into paddling, wants to end up like you, what path do you recommend they take?
Make sure you find a crew that you trust and who will take care of you on the river. We all go through rough phases and having that support crew will make it so much more enjoyable.
Predictions? Who's racing against you, anyone you worried about chasing right behind you? Who's going to take the male class this year, especially after the 3 way tie in RF?
I'm not really a fan of predictions for a lot of reasons but Natalie Anderson came out from the White Salmon and she’s always been a hot contender in other races. Katie Dean is back after a health hiatus and she is looking strong as ever. Then you always have the dark horses. Male class is looking stacked this year. Eric Deguil came back from France after having a baby, Zack Mutton is back from NZ, Kaelin Friedenson is looking super fast. Also, you cant forget the young bucks like Cashion Porter Shirley. Of course Jackson Kayak star athlete Dane is the one to beat at this race but anything can happen on race day.
You've mentioned this before, what makes the Green Race the favorite day of the year? Favorite week?
I get to see so many of my favorite humans all in one place, its like a wedding but without any legally binding contract attached to it!! Over 1000 people hike in to watch this amazing race and see what the Green River has to offer and that’s the best, boofing into a stadium!!
