Orion Flemming of Vassalboro won the St. George River Race on Saturday, covering the six-mile course in 43 minutes, 42 seconds.
Flemming finished third a year ago.
The 45th edition of the kayak and canoe race, sponsored by the Waldo County YMCA, marked the start of Maine’s whitewater paddling season.
Three-time race winner Ben Randall of Sabattus finished second overall in 44:24 in the kayak division.
Jeff Owen of Orono was the top canoe finisher, placing third overall in 46:54 in a solo boat.
Ray Wirth of Monroe finished fourth overall in 47:34, third among kayakers.
A pair of two-person canoe teams followed. Hannah Rubin of Montpelier and Damon Galipeau of Indian Island finished in 47:50, followed by Ashton Mabee and JR Mabee of Bangor in 47:57.
There were 104 finishers this year, compared with 88 last year and 67 in 2024.
2026 St. George River Race
Anything Goes (open division for nontraditional or mixed boat types): Emmanuel Boss, Orono, 1:07:44; Ana Clara Mariani, Old Town; Andrew Treat, Orono, 1:09:59.
College: Eleanore Allan-Rahill and Shannon Macdonald, University of Maine, 53:40; Daniel St. John and Micah Morton, University of Maine, 57:31; Noah Daigle and Paul Stewart, Maine Maritime Academy, 1:00:44; Jameson Weir and Roger Strauss, Maine Maritime Academy, 1:02:03.
Left: Paddlers compete during Maine’s season-opening whitewater race; top right: Leslie Gregory won the women’s kayak division in 59:46; bottom right: Nick Bambrick and Eddie Hatch finished seventh in the short-course recreational two-person canoe division in 58:06. Credit: Courtesy of Ray Wirth
Junior/Senior: Joe Holmes and Finn Holmes, Belfast, 53:23; Christopher Corey and Harriet Corey, Topsham, 1:00:06; Ian Fraser and Jack Fraser, Brewer, 1:02:45; Jeffry Chase and Eva Chase, Bowdoin, 1:02:58; Jacob Martin and Brayden Dore, Orland and Stockton Springs, 1:03:06; Anna Walker and Avery Walker, Camden, 1:17:44.
Kayak: Orion Flemming, Vassalboro, 43:42; Ben Randall, Sabattus, 44:24; Ray Wirth, Monroe, 47:34; Ben Fuller, Cushing, 58:20.
Recreational kayak: Hank Thorburn, Harpswell, 48:18; Brian Foley, Southwest Harbor, 51:51; Mark Bamford, Bucksport, 51:52; Jay Baltes, Brunswick, 53:10.
Women’s kayak: Leslie Gregory, Monroe, 59:46.
Solo canoe: Jeff Owen, Orono, 46:54.
Left: Hannah Rubin and Damon Galipeau finished fifth overall in 47:50; top right: Keith Turdo and Liana Spiro finished fourth in the mixed recreational two-person canoe division in 54:42; bottom right: Sarah Quaintance finished second in the women’s recreational solo canoe division in 1:01:58. Credit: Courtesy of Ray Wirth and Richele Robinson
Recreational solo canoe: William Smith, Amherst, 59:19; Ralph Robertson, Bucksport, 1:01:07; Dylan Thombs, Fairfield, 1:05:25.
Women’s solo canoe: Nicole Grohoski, Ellsworth, 1:00:17; Sarah Quaintance, Auburn, 1:01:58.
Two-person canoe: Ashton Mabee and JR Mabee, Bangor, 47:57; Brady Burke and JD Burke 48:53; Alana Bragdon and Naya Stone, Waldo and Brooks, 1:07:25.
Mixed two-person canoe: Hannah Rubin and Damon Galipeau, Montpelier and Indian Island, 47:50.
Mixed recreational canoe: Lisa Feener and Jake Feener, Allagash, 51:55; Christian Halsted and Emily Jolliffe, Searsmont, 53:02.
Recreational two-person canoe: Jackson Winslow and Dan Swallow, Belmont and Easton, 51:14; William Green and Ethan Lamb, Franklin and Orono, 51:40; Morgan Baxter and Rick Farnsworth 53:46.