Jackson Collins and Ana Swetish triumph at the 2025 Gorge Downwind Championships

Collins and Swetish Triumph at Gorge Downwind Championships

Jackson Collins secured his first major surfski title since returning to the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ana Swetish, meanwhile, impressively claimed her third victory at the Gorge Downwind Championships.

Race Overview and Conditions

Held near Portland, Oregon, the iconic Gorge Downwind Championships saw 659 entries across surfskis and outriggers. While wind forecasts hinted at record speeds, conditions on the Columbia River, though excellent for paddling, didn't quite reach those extreme expectations.

Men's Race Highlights

From the outset, Collins, a K4 500 silver medalist from the last Olympic Games, showcased his unparalleled speed. In his debut at this event and first international race for Epic, he quickly established a significant lead on the technical course.

Collins explained his strategy: "My primary goal was to get ahead and maintain that position, which didn't entirely go to plan, but I certainly gave it my all."

A strong chase pack, including defending champion Austin Kieffer, Molokai champion Pat Dolan, and veteran Mackenzie Hynard, initially conserved energy. Kieffer admitted, "I initially doubted he could sustain that pace. I decided to let him go and focus on my own race."

In the latter half, Kieffer and Dolan closed the gap, expertly surfing the swells. Kieffer recounted, "I anticipated a fierce battle, but he simply had more left in the tank and pushed harder. Around Wells Island, I managed to draw level with him again, but once more, he found an extra gear that I lacked."

Collins finished in 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 27 seconds – the fifth-fastest winning time in the event's history. He described the race as "incredibly enjoyable" but also "quite demanding... heavily dependent on your chosen line due to the strong current."

Collins' time was just 11 seconds quicker than Austin...

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