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March 20, 2006 <br />Dear Jack Rogers, <br />I am coach of the US National Whitewater Canoe Team, and reside within one block of <br />the Animas River in Durango. <br />I first came to Durango in 1990 to race in the Champion prize money series of <br />international slalom races and was immediately struck by the perfect conditions for <br />training and competition. I returned to Durango each year for training and competition <br />through the 1990s, including the critical training months of the spring season of 1993 <br />leading into the US Team Selection races. With each visit, I further realized Durango's <br />incredible potential for year -round paddling for all levels of paddlers. Durango's <br />climate, location, natural water flow and altitude combine with the sports- minded attitude <br />of the population to create a unique environment, perfectly suited for the needs of all <br />paddlers from youth and recreational to world -class and Olympic medalists. <br />After 25 years on the US National Team, including 2 Olympic Games and 12 World <br />Championships medals, paralleled by 25 years of coaching in the US and 10 -plus other <br />nations, I moved to Durango with my husband Heinz Roethenmund in 2001. We were <br />excited about relocating to this paddling and sports mecca, and about the possibilities of <br />working with local folks to further develop the Durango Center of Excellence and <br />competitive paddling opportunities for Durango youth. Having trained year -round on <br />many rivers in many places, at temperatures as low as -18 degrees Fahrenheit, Heinz and <br />I were and are thrilled with the conditions in Durango. Durango's daytime temperatures <br />never dip below reasonable training levels, and the riverbed topography in the Smelter <br />area results in usable sections of open water even when other sections may be frozen. <br />Durango is one of a handful of Centers of Excellence for whitewater slalom canoe and <br />kayak recognized by the US Olympic Committee, and is the only high - altitude center. <br />The Animas River, its flowing water, and the possibility for quality year -round training is <br />essential to the existence of the Durango Center of Excellence. US Olympic Committee <br />funding plus support from USA Canoe Kayak (the International Olympic Committee <br />recognized governing body for canoe and kayak sport) comes to the Durango Center of <br />Excellence to help pay for coaching, training and travel for Durango athletes. Durango <br />paddler John Gerstenberger is the top junior in the US, and is currently 4' in the world. <br />US Cadet team member Rogan Brown and other Durango paddlers represent the US on <br />the development level. Young paddlers train through the winter here on the Animas, with <br />new groups starting each season. Training conditions here draw athletes from around the <br />west and the nation. High - altitude training, especially during the months of October <br />through March, is a valuable tool for athletes with Olympic aspirations. <br />The Smelter Rapid slalom course hosts competition for paddlers of all ages and multiple <br />disciplines including the US National Team Trials (selecting the US Team for World <br />Championships and World Cup competition), the US Junior Team Trials (selecting our <br />US under -18 Team for World Championships and other international competition), <br />