One “rising star” 23-year-old woman with a bright sporting future suffered horrific final moments as her body was pinned to a rock behind an “avalanche of water”.
Each summer America’s best kayakers flock to the Great Falls of the Potomac to compete. In 2013, Shannon Christy decided to get involved with the usually male-dominated race.
Shannon was just 21 when she started competing, and had ridden through some of the hardest waters on the East Coast.
Before arriving at the infamous Potomac Falls, she told CNN: “I am, hopefully with good lines. I think I will.”
Asked whether she thought this was a reach she said “I wouldn’t say overreaching. It would strike me as confident.”
View 5 ImagesShannon’s kayak was found – but she was nowhere to be seen(Image: CBS News)
Steve Fisher, one of Kayaking’s biggest stars said: “She’s a rising star in the kayak scene and she’s just getting to the point where people want to capture what she does.”
Before her first run down the falls, Jason Beakes a six-time winner of the race gave the 23-year-old some pointers.
Beakes said: “There’s two little ledges right there in the middle — plop, plop,” and warned her to steer clear of a deadly chute called “subway.”
View 5 ImagesThe course is one of the world’s most dangerous(Image: CBS News)
The V-class rapids of this race mean the course is extremely difficult and violent with life-threatening hazards.
Two days before the official race day – a sickening moment of realisation hit when a red kayak at the end of the course was spotted. Tragically, it was Shannon’s.
Her kayak, been swept over the very “subway” chute Beake had warned her about. Her body was trapped under an avalanche of water and she sadly died.
View 5 ImagesShannon was warned of the ‘subway’ chute(Image: CBS News)
Fisher said: “You’ve got tons of water pressure pinning her against a rock.”
He led a team into the falls where they risked their own lives to recover her. Fisher was tethered by a rope on one hand and anchored by another from behind.
He could only stab around in the water with his paddle in an attempt to find her body. Fisher said: “I felt it hit something soft that was not a rock. I said, ‘She’s here.’ I told her, ‘I’m going to take you home.’ I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to take you home.'”
View 5 ImagesWhitewater kayaking is one of the most challenging sports(Image: CBS News)
He managed to attach a set of slings to Shannon’s arm and shoulder. The kayakers heaved with all their strength.
“And suddenly everything gave,” said Fisher. “She came right out of the surf.
Shannon was the third kayaker killed by Great Falls since they were first run nearly 40 years ago.