Back in the Saddle Again

August 5, 2010:  Today we finally got back to the boats to get ready for the next round of racing.  The format for this regatta is going to be the same as the first, but this event is much more prestigious than the race in Shunyi.  When we arrived at the race course, it was pouring rain.  We rigged the boat quickly and hopped in for a row working on some speed work with some builders to wake the legs back up.  Maybe it was all of the sight seeing and the traveling around China, but the boat was a little bit flat.  Senior Captains Robin Prendes '11 and Jack Lindeman '11 stepped up and took control of the boat and demanded more focus in the afternoon row.  Although the morning row was not what were hoping for, at least the focus that we had in Shunyi had been restored.  We wanted to get as much practice in as we could in the afternoon, so we left earlier than the other crews so that we could have the water to ourselves.  For the first time the entire trip, Matt and I finally had bikes to ride alongside the course so that we could watch the full practice.  The focus was much higher in the afternoon, but the speed was still not there.  We decided to switch around the lineup and move Blake Parsons '11 into 7 seat and Brad Werntz '10 into 5 seat.  The lineup that we are rowing now from coxswain to bow is: Goel, Prendes, Parsons, Lindeman, Werntz, Thalheim, Klein, Thunman, LaChance.  As soon as the lineup change was made, the boat took off.  I honestly believe that we can be real contenders with the Chinese National team in this race.  Later at night, some of the crew joined the Yale lightweights and explored the local area, making a few appearances in the plethora of karaoke bars in the area.  Tomorrow we head off to see the Giant Pandas and Ancient Relics of Chengdu.  Everyone's spirits are high for the race and for the day tomorrow.  Until then, Tigers, out.