For the four days from March sixth to ninth, Belize’s best paddlers participated in the Ruta Maya River Challenge. The event is about history and nature but for the elite competitors, it is about winning. As we told you on Thursday, Burrell Boom’s Chris Guydis won last year – breaking what had been an impressive streak by the Belize Bank team from Cayo. Well, this year the men from up in the hills, the Lopez brothers, Armin and Danny along with their cousin Amado Cruz were out for revenge and a return to dominance. And on Monday when they crossed the line at the Belcan they got it.

Armin Lopez, Captain – Belize Bank
“It doesn’t get easier. It gets more competitive because like what you said, you have to have discipline. Who has discipline is going to win for sure.”

Janelle Chanona,
“Was any part of this race, this year especially tough? I know this last day when you hit the sea breeze it gets a little challenging but was anything particular about this race tough?”

Armin Lopez,
“The first day is the hardest for we because we are the heaviest team I believe in the professional team…”

Janelle Chanona
“Even after you lost all that weight?”

Armin Lopez,
“We lost weight but we are still heavy because those guys, maybe my brother Amado in the middle, he is like almost like the three of them. Amado weighs like 200 pounds and those guys weigh maybe 100 pounds.”

Janelle Chanona,
“In it to win it next year again?”

Armin Lopez,
“Well you know only if God permits. I don’t know what’s going to happen next year. We’re going to decide later on what’s going to happen.”

Janelle Chanona,
“So what’s the plan for today, you go home and rest up or you going to celebrate a little bit?”

Armin Lopez,
“I think we’re going to celebrate that we have it back.”

So, the Belize Bank team was first, Koop Sheet Metal was second and Chris Guydis and his CPBL team finished in third place overall, over two minutes behind the winner.