Gorge Games founder Peggy Lalor announced in a press release Wednesday the adventure sports games' volatile run starting in 1996 had come to an abrupt end this year. “It has been an exciting time in the development of the recreation business in this regio

In Nov. 2004, Lalor had announced the expansion of the Gorge Games into the Live Large Tour, which, beginning in spring 2005, would have staged Gorge Games-like events in Portland, Seattle and Hood River.

In a March 10 phone conversation from Maui, Ha., Lalor said she decided to retire the Games and the Live Large Tour a couple weeks ago when she failed to solicit the support of a title sponsor. Lalor wouldn't say with what sponsor she was negotiating. “What I did last year is I ran it (the Gorge Games) at a deficit to keep it going,” Lalor said. We've run the event on budgets from $100,000 to $2.2 million. We've never run it on less than 15 to 20 sponsors. But what you really need is a head, a lead. That's why we always went after that title sponsor.”

Last year's primary sponsor was Mercer Ranch Carrots, which committed to a three-year sponsorship deal starting in 2004. In the meantime Mercer Ranch switched owners. But, Lalor says, Mercer Ranch was willing to honor its commitment.

For seven of the last nine years, local restaurants, hotels and outdoor sports stores have relied on the week and-a-half-long event to boost business. Taco Del Mar owner Tom Wood, for example, noted a 20 percent decrease from 2002 – a Gorge Games year and Taco Del Mar's first year of business on Oak Street – to 2003, a non-Gorge Games year. In the wake of the Games last year, Outside magazine named Hood River as one of its 20 Dream Towns and Sports Illustrated devoted a feature the the Columbia River Gorge and Gorge Games coverage.

“I think one of the biggest things it brought to Hood River County is the notoriety and celebrity of all the great outdoor stuff we have here,” said Craig Schmidt, executive director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. “We'll miss all the national and international attention the Gorge Games brought to our area. It will be a void that will be difficult to fill.”

According to the press release, the Gorge Games generated $18 million worth of tourism for the Northwest, attracted 1,500 world-class athletes, 20,000 spectators and dozens of title sponsors, such as Subaru, Timberland and Ralph Lauren.

Nate Herbeck, 24, moved to Hood River from Minnesota two years ago to kayak on the area's classic whitewater creeks. He watched the White Salmon Extreme Race from the banks last year intending to compete in it this year. “I didn't compete in it last year because I hadn't yet run Big Brother Falls (a 28-footer) or BZ Falls (a 16-footer).” he said. “But I was planning on competing in them this year. That's why I've been paddling with Tao (Berman) so much. He keeps my speed, my endurance up.”

Berman was last year's Extreme Kayak Race champion. “I think one of the biggest things it brough to Hood River County is the notoriety and celebrity of all the great outdoor stuff we have here,” said Craig Schmidt, executive director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. “We'll miss all the national and international attention the Gorge Games brought to our area. It will be a void that will be difficult to fill.” According to the press release, the Gorge Games generated $18 million worth of tourism for the Northwest, attracted 1,500 world-class athletes, 20,000 spectators and dozens of title sponsors, such as Subaru, Timberland and Ralph Lauren. Nate Herbeck, 24, moved to Hood River from Minnesota two years ago to kayak on the area's classic whitewater creeks. He watched the White Salmon Extreme Race from the banks last year intending to compete in it this year. “I didn't compete in it last year because I hadn't yet run Big Brother Falls (a 28-footer) or BZ Falls (a 16-footer).” he said. “But I was planning on competing in them this year. That's why I've been paddling with Tao (Berman) so much. He keeps my speed, my endurance up.” Berman was last year's Extreme Kayak Race champion.

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