Post by jmathieu on Dec 30, 2011 17:03:59 GMT -5
Some sad news for the paddling community. Jennifer Caldwell passed away peacefully in her home 3 days ago after a long fight with cancer. For those who did not know Jen, she was among the strongest paddlers go come out of New England and was a regular at many of the top flat water canoe races. She leaves behind a daughter, Anya, and her husband Howie Bean from Wolfboro, NH.. Jen came from an XC ski background and raced for Middlebury and the US Ski Team. She has won the Great American Ski Chase series several times. She was influenced to paddle by her husband, Howie, and quickly became very successful at the craft of making boats go fast. Those of you who remember the Penobscot 50 will recall Jen, paddling with Chris Schmidt, once won this race becoming the first time I have heard of an all-women's team being the overall victor in a canoe marathon. I knew Jen since I was ski racing in high school and was happy to see her summertime sport of choice became paddling. Her warm, smiling, demeanor hid an intense competitor and national class athlete. She will be missed.