Friday - Race Day #1

Today was the first race day and, oh, what a race day it was. The competition is incredible. Countries like Germany, Russia and our host country, Hungary, have brought in the big guns. They've got Olympic kayakers, high knee paddlers, etc. on the teams and they are SOLID!

But maybe instead of 'oh', I should 'OW'. There was a whole lot of racing going on today and a whole lot of sore muscles tonight. I think many people were ready to fall asleep on their dinner plates. Our day started with a 5am wake up call, breakfast at 5:30am and off to the race site by 6:30am. Today was preliminary races for the 500m and 200m standard boats and 200m 10-man boats. Racing started with the 500m races. In the first round, I raced 3 back-to-back 500's on the Senior Mixed, Masters Mixed and Masters women. Then we got a little break and started round 2 of the 500m races where I raced 2 of those (Senior Mixed and Masters Women).

For the Master's division, instead of running Prelims, Repechage, and Finals, they are taking the combined time of 3 races for medals. Should be interesting. The 3rd race (and final) for this division is tomorrow (Sat.) afternoon.

Then it was on to the 200m races...

I raced my first race in a 10-man boat in the Senior Women's division. Our team age range went from 16-50 (or maybe older...not sure how old our steersperson is). Ashley Blundetto (18 years) and our own Jen PeArt were the lead strokers and Brittiney Blundetto (16 years old) was our caller. We had a mess of a first race but our second was solid putting us into the finals which will be on Sunday.

The first of the standard boat 200 meter races also were this afternoon. In the Masters division, race #2 will be on Saturday and on Sunday race 3. Again, this is accummulative.

As for the Senior division 200m standard boat. the Senior Mixed advanced to the finals, which are on Sunday. I'll have to go figure out the men's divisions and other or you can go check out the results on the official page. http://results.mkksz.hu/en/timetable/

I think 5 500's and 4 200's is a record amount of races for me in one day so with tired shoulders, back (Kurt where are you when I need you?) and bum I've off to bed. By Wasabi land...sweet dreams. Laurie