NFC IX - 2021 NORTH FORK CHAMPIONSHIP, BANKS, IDAHO (USA)

After a year’s hiatus, the ninth North Fork Championship once again kicked off in Banks, Idaho, where familiar faces were joined by a crowd of up and comers to make the NFC’s largest-ever competitive field. This year, under new ownership from the Voorhees family (Mike, Jodi, Alec, Hayden, and Connor), the event returned to the traditional race format of Qualifier, Boater X, and the Giant Slalom on Jake’s, where 35 athletes would compete for the chance to be North Fork King or Queen and earn themselves a big, fat, $5000 check. Thursday morning, over 150 registered athletes and last-minute hopefuls gathered to compete in the Kokatat Qualifier on S-Turn rapid to try and earn themselves a spot to race at Jake’s. 10 spots for the men and all 5 for the women were up for grabs. The crowds gathered at Payette Brewing in Boise for the North Fork Film Festival and race results later that night. The range of ages and talent was impressive, with veterans like Women’s winner Natalie Anderson standing onstage with 16-year