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The USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships will be held Dec. 11-16, 2018, at Joe Creason Park, the first time the event has been held in Louisville. The national championships will feature nearly 2,000 top professional and amateur riders competing over the course of the week from 45 states.
Forty-two national titles are on the line; male and female national champions will be crowned in the Junior, Senior, Collegiate, U23, Masters and Elite categories. Athletes range in age from 10 to 85 years old.
The event will be held on a cyclocross course at Joe Creason Park that made its debut at the 2017 Derby City Cup and Pan-American Cyclocross Championships. The challenging course includes elevation changes, a flyover, obstacles and off-camber ground that force riders off their bikes.
Cyclocross racing is a hybrid between road cycling and mountain biking that is athletically demanding, and fan and family-friendly. The experience for fans is interactive, with viewing areas within a few feet of the course, and cheering, jeering and crazy costumes that help energize the riders. Competitors race around an off-road circuit on bicycles that look very similar to road bikes, but have been built to take on the demands of rougher off-road racing. Circuits are typically 1.5 to 2 miles long, and feature obstacles that may force riders to dismount their bicycle. Multiple laps showcase these elite riders’ phenomenal skills and amazing speed, invoking the nickname “an hour of pain.”
Beer will be sold by Against the Grain Brewery; food will be provided by Black Rock Grille, POLLO, Moe-Licious BBQ and Blackbeard Expresso food trucks. Wristband admission is $20 per person including tax, which is good for the entire event week. Food and beverage are priced separately. Free vehicle parking will be available at the Louisville Zoo. There will be no warm up zone or tents allowed in the Zoo parking lot. For information on event expo and warm-up tents, please contact Ben Leto at bleto@louisvillesports.org.
Competition begins Tues., Dec. 11 with a full day of non-championship races. The contests to determine national champions – winners of the coveted Stars-and-Stripes jerseys – begin Wed., Dec. 12. Masters and Collegiate championship events for men and women will be held Dec. 12-14.; championship events for Juniors will be held on Saturday. The championships culminate on Sunday with the Junior Men 17-18 and the U23 and elite competitions for men and women.
Among the athletes who will be on hand to defend their titles are Stephen Hyde (Easthampton,Mass./Cannondale presented by CyclocrossWorld), defending U.S. Cyclocross National Champion; Jeremy Powers (Southampton, Mass./Pactimo / Fuji / SRAM), four-time U.S. Cyclocross National Champion ; Curtis White (Delanson, N.Y./Cannondale presented by CyclocrossWorld), no. 1-ranked U.S. male pro cyclocross rider; Ellen Noble (Kennebunkport, Maine/Trek Factory Racing CX), three-time Cyclocross National Champion (U23 and Junior); Katie Clouse (Park City, Utah/Alpha Bicycle – Groove Subaru), 25-time National Champion in Cyclocross, Road and mountain bike; and Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./KFC Racing), 14-time Cyclocross National Champion.
“Louisville has a long-history of hosting national and international cycling championships – including the 2013 UCA Cyclocross Elite World Championships,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “We encourage everyone to come to Joe Creason Park to enjoy some fantastic cycling competition. Cyclocross is an amazing experience for fans – expect an eclectic mix of lively spectators and high-energy action on the course.”
The national championships are estimated to generate more than $2.6 million in economic impact to the local economy and will result in national media coverage for Louisville. Live streaming will be available Sun., Dec. 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET on USA Cycling’s YouTube channel and on participating cycling media websites.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to host a nationally sanctioned championship with elite athletes, officials and spectators converging on Louisville from across the U.S.,” said Louisville Sports Commission President and CEO Karl F. Schmitt, Jr. “This event provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our community and will generate significant economic impact through inbound sports travel, especially welcome during the winter months.”
Louisville has become a mecca for championship-level cyclocross competitions, having successfully hosted the 2013 UCI Elite World Championships, the 2012 and 2013 UCI Masters World Championships, the annual Derby City Cup at Eva Bandman Park and the 2017 Pan-American Cyclocross Championships.
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish And Wildlife
The first snippets of snow fell this week, making most people frown, but put a smile on the faces of Kentucky waterfowl hunters. The cold weather the week before the waterfowl season opener on Thanksgiving Day is a good sign.
“Waterfowl hunting in Kentucky is nearly 100 percent weather dependent,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We will have more birds to hunt if we get cold weather to the north of Kentucky. If we continue with this cold weather, we should have a good opener.”
Little said fantastic habitat conditions for waterfowl await those birds. “The moist soil vegetation such as wild ryes, annual smartweeds, millets and sedges are looking great across the state. The habitat is here and population wise, we are living the glory days.”
A slight dip in duck numbers in 2018 resulting from adverse weather conditions during breeding season in the prairie-pothole region on the northern Great Plains and Canada in 2017 should not concern waterfowl hunters. “We are still well above the long term average for duck numbers,” Little said. “This trend is basically a blip and should not impact hunting at all.”
New public waterfowl hunting opportunities on Sloughs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Henderson and Union counties offer a chance for excellent hunting each week of the season. Little explained hunters who have not put in for a quota hunt on the area may try for a minimum of 10 slots via a weekly draw each Monday night of the season.
“Nine of those slots are on the Jenny Hole Unit with one on the Sauerheber Unit,” Little explained. “More slots may be available if those drawn for quota hunts on the area don’t check in on the Sunday before their hunts.”
Waterfowl hunters on Ballard WMA in Ballard County, an anchor of Kentucky waterfowl hunting for decades, no longer have to hunt from blinds. “For the first time, a few boat-in hunting spots are available on Ballard WMA,” Little said. “There are many wade and shoot opportunities as well.”
Boatwright WMA, also in Ballard County, and Doug Travis WMA in Carlisle and Hickman counties, offer daily walk-in waterfowl hunting. For more information on these opportunities, refer to the 2018-2019 Kentucky Waterfowl Hunting Guide available in a printable PDF format at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife webpage at www.fw.ky.gov. There is no longer a paper version of this guide.
Little said Cedar Creek Lake in Lincoln County, Barren River Lake in Allen and Barren counties and Green River Lake in Adair and Taylor counties offer some of the best waterfowl hunting in the central Kentucky region. He also recommended Cave Run Lake for duck hunting in east Kentucky, especially later in the season. Goose hunting is not permitted on most of Cave Run Lake. The Ohio River also offers good later season duck and goose hunting.
Hunters without a boat and other gear needed to hunt large bodies of water should try farm ponds. “Farm ponds always provide opportunity,” Little said. “You must get permission from the landowner. Do not be afraid to ask, many landowners with resident goose issues are open to waterfowl hunters. Do not forget to close the gate behind you; that is the number one way to lose hunting permission on a farm.”
Steel shotshells in No. 2 through No. 4 work well for ducks while those in BB through No. 2 make good goose loads. “The modern non-toxic loads with tungsten or bismuth allow hunters to use smaller shot sizes,” Little said.
“I mostly use 3-inch, steel shotshells with 1 1-4 ounces of shot for waterfowl hunting,” Little said. Waterfowl hunters may not use or possess lead shot while hunting.
Duck, coot and merganser season opens Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 and closes Nov. 25. This season opens again Dec. 3 and closes Jan. 27, 2019. Goose season also opens Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 and closes Feb. 15, 2019.
As a reminder, waterfowl hunters must complete a short survey and get their Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) confirmation number before hunting. Visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage at www.fw.ky.gov and click on the “My Profile” tab to begin. The process takes less than 5 minutes.
In addition to the H.I.P. confirmation number, waterfowl hunters need a valid Kentucky hunting license as well as a Kentucky Migratory Bird – Waterfowl Hunting Permit along with a signed Federal Duck Stamp to be legal waterfowl hunters.
Waterfowl hunting provides a fun reason to get outside in winter while providing excellent tasting, nutritious table fare. A meal featuring properly cooked duck is as good as any expensive restaurant
Louisville Parks and Recreation is accepting team registrations for its adult men’s winter basketball leagues. Games will be played Sunday afternoons at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court, beginning January 6, with game times of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m.
The fee is $500 per team, and participants must be 18 or older. Deadline to register is December 15, or until leagues are filled.
For more information on how to register, please click here. Payments can be made by credit card over the phone at 502/574-4515. You may also pay by cash or check at the Parks and Recreation athletics office located at the Cyril Allgeier Center, 4101 Cadillac Ct., 40213.
Payment must be made in full at the time of registration in order to reserve your place for the season. Registrations received after deadline will be subject to $35 processing late fee.
All information concerning league offerings, rules, and team roster sheets can be found here. For more information, e-mail athletics at athletics@louisvilleky.gov or call 502/574-4515.
Applications are now being taken for mobility-impaired hunters wishing to hunt from two specially constructed blinds at Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hickman and Carlisle counties. Applications for these quota hunts must be postmarked by Nov. 15.
“One blind, Blind 19, is a boat-only blind, built for mobility-impaired hunters,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The whole boat hides in this blind. The other blind, Blind 13, is an above ground blind that is wheelchair accessible. The mobility-impaired hunt party will be able to drive to this blind.”
The hunt dates for the mobility-impaired quota hunts during 2018-2019 are: Nov. 22–25; Dec. 3–6; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 10–13; Dec. 14–16; Dec. 17–20; Dec. 21–23; Dec. 24–27 and Dec. 28–30; Dec. 31, 2018 – Jan. 3, 2019; Jan. 4–6; Jan. 7–10; Jan. 9–12; Jan. 11–13; Jan 14–17; Jan. 18–20; Jan. 21–24; and Jan. 25–27.
To register to be drawn for this blind during one or more of the mobility impaired hunts, mail a 3 x 5 white index card in an envelope addressed to:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Attn: Wes Little – Doug Travis WMA Mobility-Impaired Waterfowl Hunt Application
1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
The envelope must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.
“Hunters must specify on the index card the dates for which they are applying and list them in order of preference,” Little said. “While they may apply for up to three hunting dates, they can only be drawn for one hunt. The index card must include the hunter’s name, complete mailing address and phone number as well.”
Successful applicants may invite up to three guests. After Nov. 15, those selected for hunts will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the dates they are drawn, a map showing the blind location and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. Duplicate applications for the same hunt will result in disqualification.
“The hunting party will be responsible for bringing and placing decoys as well as retrieving birds,” Little said. “These blinds are open to standby hunters on a first-come, first-served basis if the blind is not occupied by the drawn party by one hour before sunrise, but priority for its use will go to mobility impaired hunters.”
If not completed already, waterfowl hunters must go online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
Online applications are being taken through Nov. 15 for youth and mobility-impaired waterfowl quota hunts at two state-owned fish hatcheries near Frankfort and Morehead. Hunts will be available on each Saturday and Sunday in January 2019.
Hunts are being held at the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery in Rowan County and the Pete Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery in Franklin County.
“There are five blinds at Minor Clark Hatchery and two blinds at Pete Pfeiffer,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Drawn hunters must provide their own decoys, put them out and retrieve their own birds.”
Interested youth or mobility-impaired waterfowl hunters may apply online by clicking this link or going to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage at fw.ky.gov and clicking on the “Hunt” tab, followed by “Quota Hunts” tab. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 15.
Hunt dates in 2019 include Jan 5-6, Jan. 12-13, Jan. 19-20 and Jan. 26-27. Youths under age 16 may apply for these quota hunts. A mentor age 18 or older must accompany the youth hunter. A mentor and youth drawn for a hunt may invite two additional youth hunters or one youth and second mentor to hunt with them. Selected mobility-impaired hunters may only have one assistant in the blind with them.
Drawn hunters will receive a quota hunt permit in the mail in late November notifying the hunter the dates for which they were drawn, along with detailed maps and other instructions concerning the hunt.
If not completed already, waterfowl hunters must go online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
The North American Championship Rodeo returns to Freedom Hall November 8-10 during the NAILE for the circuit finals of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. A part of the Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo, participants represent many states in the region, including Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.
The event features three nights of excitement as the best in each event compete over all three days to be named champion. There are seven events each night: bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie down roping, and team roping. In between events, attendees will be entertained by the rodeo clown and other acts throughout the night.
Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online ahead of time. Children under the age of 2 are free. Friday, November 9, is Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Horses and Hope. Ticket prices do not include parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is $10 per vehicle.
Photo: Kentucky Derby Museum. The Justify Triple Crown Art Collection
Mike Smith and Bob Baffert Signed Justify Commemorative Artwork
The Official Justify Triple Crown Print features Justify winning the 150th Belmont Stakes and joining the “ranks of the immortals” as the 13th Triple Crown champion. The print is officially licensed by WinStar Farm and Triple Crown Productions and created by renowned international sporting artist Graeme Baxter and features special editions signed by Mike Smith and Bob Baffert.
Artist Graeme Baxter will be signing Official Justify artwork at the Derby Museum on October 29th from 11:00am to 3:00pm in conjunction with the Makers Mark Justify Bottle signing festivities.
The Justify Triple Signed Special Edition ($295) is individually signed in bronze metallic ink by two time Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith and artist Graeme Baxter. This Triple Signed Special Edition is strictly limited to an edition of 150 fine art prints and measures 18” x 24. Orders for this special limited edition will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
The Justify Dual Signed Limited Edition ($180) is signed in pencil by two time Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert and artist Graeme Baxter. It is limited to an edition of 500 fine art prints. The print also measures 18”x24”.
The Justify Triple Crown Art Collection will be displayed during Breeders Cup week in Louisville at Equestricon, Booth 500 on October 29th and 30th as well as at a special Breeders Cup Festival Pop-Up Gallery at the downtown Marriott, the official Host Hotel from October 31 through November 3.
Graeme Baxter has been designated Official Artist for some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world including The Ryder Cup, The Open Championship, The PGA Championship, Wimbledon Tennis and The Triple Crowns of both American Pharoah and Justify.
In 2015, Bob and Jill Baffert commissioned Baxter to paint two portraits of American Pharoah, and the Bafferts have again honored him in 2018 by commissioning him to create two portraits of Justify for their private collection.
