Countdown to ICF Championships is On

Less than a year from now the 2014 ICF Slalom World Championships will commence at the Adventure Sports Center International in McHenry, Md, Sept. 16-21, 2014. The Deep Creek 2014 World Championships mark the halfway point in the quadrennial leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Members of the Deep Creek 2014 host organizing committee attended the 2013 ICF Slalom World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Sept. 9-17, 2013.

In addition to taking notes, the delegation accepted the International Canoe Federation’s flag to bring back to the Garrett County for the first time in more than 20 years. The 1989 Slalom World Championships were held on the nearby Savage River.

 “This is an amazing honor to be able to bring this flag back to the U.S. and have it fly once again in Garrett County,” said Deep Creek 2014 Executive Director Todd Copley.  “It’s an honor for county, the facility and most importantly for the people of Garrett County.”

The U.S. has since hosted World Championships in flatwater sprint in 2003 and freestyle this year in 2013.

The 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will bring tremendous international focus on Maryland’s scenic western-most county with 300 athletes from over 40 international countries competing and over 21.5 million international broadcast television viewers around the world.

Recently Deep Creek 2014 and the Adventure Sports Center International hosted Paul Valkovics, who was the Venue General Manager for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Valkovics helped organize the Olympic slalom racing at the Lee Valley Whitewater Centre just north of London. England will follow Deep Creek and host the 2015 Slalom World Championships.

 “ASCI is a unique and spectacular venue that was built to compliment the natural beauty of its surroundings,” Valkovics said. “The mountain top location along with the local enthusiasm for outdoor sports will provide an electric atmosphere for the athletes and spectators at this world-class facility. The 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will provide an international showcase for ASCI, Maryland and the USA.”

Deep Creek 2014 is the event production company and host organization presenting the 2014 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships next September at The Adventure Sports Center International.  The event is expected to draw 300 competitors from around the globe and 30,000 spectators to the Deep Creek area. For more information visit the event website at www.deepcreek2014.com.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, USA Canoe/Kayak is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation. It governs the Olympic disciplines of Flatwater Sprint, Whitewater Slalom, the Paralympic discipline of Paracanoe and sanctions Freestyle, Marathon, Outrigger, Wildwater, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak Polo, Dragon Boat and Canoe Sailing in the United States. For more information about USA Canoe/Kayak, please visit us on the web at www.usack.org, on Twitter at @usacanoekayak and Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/USACanoeKayak.