Day 1 launch on the St. Lawrence

Temps were in the low 40s for the first takeoff of the Eastern Divisional.

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Boats are in the water and spectators are on hand at Whittaker Park in Waddington, N.Y., for the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
Boats are in the water and spectators are on hand at Whittaker Park in Waddington, N.Y., for the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Divisional.
It’s a cool morning for Day 1, with temps in the low 40s.
It’s a cool morning for Day 1, with temps in the low 40s.
Christopher Killoren of New York and Javier Guillen Cordoba of Spain are the third boat in the lineup.
Christopher Killoren of New York and Javier Guillen Cordoba of Spain are the third boat in the lineup.
Competitors stood for three national anthems this morning: Spain, Canada and the United States.
Competitors stood for three national anthems this morning: Spain, Canada and the United States.
It’s go time.
It’s go time.
Abe Kalechman of Connecticut and Peter Knight of New York are planning for a long run this morning. “Our plan is to get 20 pounds today,” said Knight.
Abe Kalechman of Connecticut and Peter Knight of New York are planning for a long run this morning. “Our plan is to get 20 pounds today,” said Knight.
Despite a dead battery early on, Chris Adams of New Hampshire and Larry MacPhail of Ontario are ready to go now.
Despite a dead battery early on, Chris Adams of New Hampshire and Larry MacPhail of Ontario are ready to go now.
Competitors idle through the checkpoints before they take off. The first boat leaves its position.
Competitors idle through the checkpoints before they take off. The first boat leaves its position.
And the first flight begins competition.
And the first flight begins competition.
Nine teams are competing. Each one will send a single representative to the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in November.
Nine teams are competing. Each one will send a single representative to the 2014 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in November.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t wipe the smile off the faces of John Carman of Massachusetts and Steve Wilson of Maine.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t wipe the smile off the faces of John Carman of Massachusetts and Steve Wilson of Maine.
Chris Molineaux of Rhode Island and Chris O’Brien of New York are among the first anglers in the second flight.
Chris Molineaux of Rhode Island and Chris O’Brien of New York are among the first anglers in the second flight.
David Riley of Rhode Island and John Diaco of New Hampshire share a boat today. Diaco has made it all the way to the Bassmaster Classic before. He’d love to do it again.
David Riley of Rhode Island and John Diaco of New Hampshire share a boat today. Diaco has made it all the way to the Bassmaster Classic before. He’d love to do it again.
One last thumbs up on the way out …
One last thumbs up on the way out …
Peter DeMoya of New Hampshire will share his boat on Day 1 with Ernesto Gonzalez Garcia of Spain.
Peter DeMoya of New Hampshire will share his boat on Day 1 with Ernesto Gonzalez Garcia of Spain.
Joe Holland of Maine is looking for fish “this big.” Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain will also be on the lookout for those bass.
Joe Holland of Maine is looking for fish “this big.” Eric Corbella Salvia of Spain will also be on the lookout for those bass.
Eloy Fernandez Jofre of Spain is happy to be riding with 2014 Bassmaster Classic runner-up Paul Mueller of Connecticut.
Eloy Fernandez Jofre of Spain is happy to be riding with 2014 Bassmaster Classic runner-up Paul Mueller of Connecticut.
Frank Ramsay of Ontario might learn a lot today about Chinese food. Fernando Lay of Spain runs a Chinese restaurant in Spain. At registration, Jon Stewart said it was the best Chinese restaurant in Spain, and Lay corrected him. “It’s the best in the world!”
Frank Ramsay of Ontario might learn a lot today about Chinese food. Fernando Lay of Spain runs a Chinese restaurant in Spain. At registration, Jon Stewart said it was the best Chinese restaurant in Spain, and Lay corrected him. “It’s the best in the world!”
Rob Messenger of New Hampshire and Ricardo Rodriguez Gonza of Spain are among the first boats in the final flight.
Rob Messenger of New Hampshire and Ricardo Rodriguez Gonza of Spain are among the first boats in the final flight.
The takeoff begins to wrap up.
The takeoff begins to wrap up.
Sheron Brown of Massachusetts and Carlos Perez Zamorano of Spain are bundled up for their cool ride.
Sheron Brown of Massachusetts and Carlos Perez Zamorano of Spain are bundled up for their cool ride.
One boat of high school competitors hangs back. The high schoolers get to practice today, then they’ll compete alongside the adults for the next two days.
One boat of high school competitors hangs back. The high schoolers get to practice today, then they’ll compete alongside the adults for the next two days.
The Canadian contingent is the last to leave the launch area. Julie Birch, Paul Kroisenbrunner, Margaret Garnier, Doug Ferguson and Veronica Barnes are an enthusiastic crew, especially for this time of day.
The Canadian contingent is the last to leave the launch area. Julie Birch, Paul Kroisenbrunner, Margaret Garnier, Doug Ferguson and Veronica Barnes are an enthusiastic crew, especially for this time of day.