Rico, Progress Report!
Ai Skipper:
Saturday
Sunday
750 m was basically comparable to the first kilometer of the 2500m. Again wobbly water + a few crabs + not getting together = a 6 seconds loss = 36 seconds to make up. Nothing is impossible, and with Laga’s Berlage experience in the past you just hope for the best. We were placed back in the field started 3 places before Laga. After a good start we could see Vidar shrinking away in the distance, as it should be 
. But after 4000m with some maneuvering around Orca in the outside bend the crew, Vidar came back on the crew, and we had a lot to do from the Omval to the Finish to have any chance on winning the distance. Powering on at 36+ against the wind felt like a charm, but did not put enough distance between us and Vidar. Loosing 4 seconds on Vidar, 1 on Laga, but gaining 5 on Skadi, we finished 3th on the 5000m but were 0,5 and 4 seconds short on the 5km to gain respectively one or two places places in the overall ranking………. *)&*) $^)#^_)#%&
Overall conclusion was that we had learned a lot this weekend as a whole crew. With a good sprint and speed on long distances we have learned a lot since the WW. It seems like the hammer is down for the coming weekend, with at least 5 crews on the Head having a chance of winning it. The favourites are however Vidar who will be starting in 2nd place behind Nereus. With clear water from the Omval towards Oudekerk they will be cruising on the ideal line in idle water. However Nereus won’t let go that easy that weekend, and will be looking for revenge after having lost their Heineken Regatta. We’ll be hoping to battle it out with Laga back in the field and put in our best performance yet as margins are slim. With 5 crews racing so close together it will be an exiting race to row and watch.
Rico Out!