/DavidBezemer Food for technology enthusiasts

17Mar/090

Rico, Progress Report!

Ai Skipper:

Saturday

This weekend was the third test of the season. After coming in 6th at the NKIR and 3­th at the Winterwedstrijden, the crew felt confident to put in a good performance at the Heineken. The Amstel can however be deceiving when being a Freshmens crew. The first distance we had a bad start on the wobbly Amstel water, and technique wasn’t as good as it could have been. Then we caught up with Skoll and for the second time this season, and for the second time we lost some seconds due to bad maneuvering which again cost points at the end of the weekend. Protesting however doesn’t help anybody, although a do hope that they give us a bit more room next time instead of waiting until the last possible official moment. The crew was not happy with the 250m, but again this isn’t home water. The time of 41.1 did give us some satisfaction where we got our first official victory of the season. The result of Saturday caused quite some enthusiasm among Theta spectators, because of the overall first place.

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!

12Nov/080

Rowing Madness

Ok, time for another update on my rowing progress.

Currently I (and my 7 fellow rowers) are training into the race rowing season. Training around six times a week, with indoor, outdoor and circuit trainings, a tough schedule seems to be ahead.

The next incoming (big) event will be the NKIR, the Nationaal Kampioenschap Indoor Roeien (national championship indoor rowing), and our team is, ofcourse, striving to win!

This evening we have anopther preliminary test of 2km, and hopefully times be be up to scheme.

Realising that sports performance also means another way of life, I tend to be watching what, when and how much I eat, sleep, work and hang out. Just one bad evening can ruin pretty much 2 days of training.

At the other hand, I also started planning my total life, which menas I now know what to do for the day ahead, instead of just waiting and see what will be ahead for every day ;) .

Well, untill I have more news, regards to fellow rowers, and till next time.

David