Race Report One

If anyone missed the race on TV here is the link to the video on Supersport (off the SASCOC website) http://bb.supersport.co.za/sascoc_video.asp?play=2875

Our first race was a cracker! We had a great warm up, I was a bit worried about all the weed, as the K4 has a really long rudder and I was scared we woud hook some before our start. Luckily, we stopped at a jetty just before our start and Jen hopped out and sorted it.

I don't think the other girls realise how much I stress out about the boat's steering! A small piece of weed wedged between the rudder and the boat's hull makes it a lot harder to steer, and one of my nightmare's is to get us disqualified by going to close too the edge of the lane!

We had a great start, and were with the Chinese the whole way (which is a first for us). I tried to set a nice high stroke rate, and the in our 2nd phase of the race, tried to keep it up. It worked, and although the tunnel started closing in on me near the last 100m of the race, we held it together and pipped the Italians into 4th. This is the first time we have beaten them, and we saved it for when it mattered-the Olympics! So often it has been close, but gone the other way. Yesterday, the ball bounced our way!

Our support crew was massive! It's so great to have family and friends here watching, and thank you for all the messages and sms's. It really helps a lot knowing everyone is behind us and watching!

In a few hours, Bridge and I are taking on a very tough heat, it's pretty much like a Final. We are going to have to pull one out the bag, and show what we are made of. It's at 1750 our time, so 1200 your time. Although it might be a little earlier, so check your TV's with time to spare.