June 23, 2012 / Day 5 (Part 1): Here we go! It's time to race!
6:00AM: Up and at it! Race day was finally here, and we were all very excited for the full day of paddling ahead. The 500m races would take place first in the morning, followed by a break for lunch, and the 200m races in the afternoon. Sadly, the rain had not let up from the day before, and what greeted us at the race site was again a cold, wet, muddy mess. It was so muddy that we pulled into our tent extra red carpet laid out at the race site in an attempt to make the ground more solid and dry. The improvement was minimal. So we had to suck it up and soldier. The motto of the festival was: "We will not stop races unless it thunders." Frankly, I think most of us would still have paddled through thunder. So let's get on with it!
You should know that the dragon boats used in the Jiaxing Festival were much smaller than the typical 20-paddler boats that we are used to. They only fit 10 paddlers, one drummer, and one steerer. As a result, these boats were much lighter and less stable. But boy, they were fun and so swift that they could turn on a dime!
500m Heats:
The 500m heats worked like this: The order of divisions for Heat #1 was Men's, Women's, then Mixed. Each heat was divided into 2 sub-divisions (except the Women's division) to account for all the teams. This order would be repeated for Heat #2. Times are not averaged, and the teams with the 6 best times through the two heats advance into the 500m final. Our team strategy was to try to warm up in Heat #1 and then go harder in Heat #2.
Unfortunately, because we were racing, I couldn't take any photos of our own heats. Below are two photos taken by Alan.
Unfortunately, because we were racing, I couldn't take any photos of our own heats. Below are two photos taken by Alan.
Thanks to Pat for these additions from Heat#1!
The California + Toronto Women's Team paddling back to the dock after their race. They were an exceptional team. Way to go, ladies!
This was the Mixed Division 500m final. Look how close it was!
Although we put forth a valiant effort, we did not advance to the 500m final. I don't have the official results, so I can't actually tell you who won the race, but it was a fantastic final to watch! In the meantime, we were approached by more reporters seeking either Anne or Elyse for an interview. Here was Elyse's turn in front of the camera.
As we looked forward to the afternoon's races, trying to devise a cunning formula for success, Pat's Irish heritage kicked in as he realized that what we needed was a 4-leaf clover for luck. So he found one! Then, Nicole found a second one! TWO 4-leaf clovers! With that kind of luck, how could we not win in the afternoon? This would be cake. Check it out!
Giving Pat and Nicole's great success, the other members of the team attempted to find 4-leaf clovers too... but were less successful.
Alright, time to break for lunch, which was provided for us at the race site. Each lunch box contained an assortment of meats and vegetables, with a carton of rice to go with it. Additionally, there were dessert zongzi from Wufangzhai! It's a long 2-hour lunch break to eat and rest up. The officials also used this time to catch up on paperwork and set up the course for the 200m races.
Oh, I almost forgot. We discovered that we had neighbors at the race site, and they came in numbers throughout the day. A Jiaxing local told us it was a water leech of some sort. I can't confirm that, but here it is. If you know for certain what this is, please let us know below. California University caught quite a few of these critters and took photos while pretending to eat them. Yuuuuuuuum.
Oh, I almost forgot. We discovered that we had neighbors at the race site, and they came in numbers throughout the day. A Jiaxing local told us it was a water leech of some sort. I can't confirm that, but here it is. If you know for certain what this is, please let us know below. California University caught quite a few of these critters and took photos while pretending to eat them. Yuuuuuuuum.
The Morning's Numbers:
Number of races we paddled: 2
Number of races California University paddled: like 7 or 8?
Harvard Dudley teammates who decided to go barefoot in the mud: 6
Number of translators needed to assist Elyse in her interview: 3
Number of 4-leaf clovers found: 2
Number of 4-leaf clovers spotted that turned out not be to 4-leaf clovers: Too many to count
Creepy insect tally: 5
Number of races we paddled: 2
Number of races California University paddled: like 7 or 8?
Harvard Dudley teammates who decided to go barefoot in the mud: 6
Number of translators needed to assist Elyse in her interview: 3
Number of 4-leaf clovers found: 2
Number of 4-leaf clovers spotted that turned out not be to 4-leaf clovers: Too many to count
Creepy insect tally: 5