recap.

Note: This blog entry was written over 4 days: Sunday 8/2 - Wednesday 8/5

It's kind-of hard to write this; because, to write this entry, I must acknowledge that it's all over. Being that I am currently sitting on my couch at home in new york, it is, for sure, over. Exactly one week ago today, more than a full year of preparation, execution, and racing, came to a sharp point - 2000m down, a third place finish in the B-final at world u23 championships in Racice, Czech Republic.

(blm4x B-level final, usa middle of picture, 3rd place)

It is almost unbelievable that 2/3 of summer has passed, along with countless meters and stories, sunrises and erg sessions, weigh-ins and rainy afternoons. As always when I never thought it would come, it came. I remember the elation of landing in Prague, it was the same feeling as when we were told by G-man on the dock of Mercer Lake that we would go to worlds; both moments were like - holy shit! this is really happening.

(Sebastian Kirwan looks ecstatic upon his arrival in Czech)

After the typical airport shenanigans, and one seven hour flight and we'd arrived in Praha. As we settled in, we worked on adjusting to the time differential. No naps allowed here - the less you nap the more quickly you acquaint yourself to the new schedule. So we resisted our urges and battled odd drops in blood sugar with an old friend, jolly ranchers. After our travel day, our boats finally arrived. Monday morning were rigged and prepared ourselves for what would prove to be the 3 toughest races I have ever experienced.

---

Our heat, was an interesting introduction to international racing. At 11:24 on Thursday July 23rd, we lined up against: Germany - who would go on to place second in this event - Hungary, and Venezuala. Our goal for this race was to be second or better. We wanted to send a message that we we're fast enough to medal.

Germany was blazing fast off of the line and got way out early, a lead they held comfortably throughout the race, while we battled with Hungary who was able hold us tightly and push away in the final 500. Though, we didn't place second as we would have hoped we were able to avoid the repechage, which took place on friday.

We had a full day of practice on Friday, and were able to make some rigging adjustments which allowed for a little more comfort within the boat. We were also feeling more comfortable in our surroundings now; we knew that if we were to have any shot at making the A-final, we had to put up one hell of a fight. We needed to come top three to make it to the a-final, and with Germany, who had already handily beaten us, we focused in on russia, france, denmark, and turkey. Everyone was gunning for the three A-final spots; we had our work cut out for us.

Before bed on the friday, we met with g-man and spoke amoungst ourselves, prepping for the biggest race of our lives. This seems so trite to say, and almost silly, but, I shit you not, it was true.

Our race plan here was simple, qulaify for the a final, third or better. If it's better, great, if not, keep making moves until we're third.

The morning of the semi was rather blustery, raging tailwind as had been the case all week, there was a bit of swirling wind at the start when we locked onto the stakeboats. As we sat ready, our point well adjusted for the wind, a gust blew us astray. With the polling over we proceeded to start, taking our first 5 strokes into the buoy line. It is to all of our credit that we kept our cool. We were last off of the start, last through the first five hundred, but as we came scratching back, our speed improved greatly. By the 1000m mark, we were within 4 seconds of the leading German quad, and within 1.5 seconds of both Russia and France, who were in second and third respectively. We had surpassed Denmark and Turkey, and we'd be damned if our push was over now. At 500m to go, we were less than a second behind France, we had made our case in the third five, it was now time to see who had the legs for this last five.

Our increased cadence and maximal exertion was not enough to out sprint the french. France secured the last spot in the A-final by 1.72 seconds.

We were pretty floored by this, we seriously felt that we deserved a spot in the A-final. There was no way to remedy our feeling, the best thing we could do was focus on a first place finish in the B-final.

Bob and Mike's room in the hotel, due to its honeymoon esc nature became our boat's meeting place. They had a couch and a flat screen, I didn't know those existed in cheap 3-star hotels, but apparently they do. The night before the finals, we met and spoke with g-man. Again, it became clear that we needed another all out race, we had something to prove. We needed to prove that we deserved the A final and that we were above the other boats in the B-final.

We lined up Sunday morning with fire in our eyes, it was time to end this thing, prove our point, take it home. We sat ready for the third time, 2000m away from the finish of what has been the most fulfilling experience of my life.

"Denmark, Sweden, United States, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey; Attention."

RED LIGHT

GREEN LIGHT

3/4 - clean
1/2 - clean
3/4 - port blade bobble in 2 seat, my bad, fuck, FOCUS
Lengthen - Clean
Full - Clean

38 spm, here we go, hit the legs, go.

First 250 down, breathe, heads in, take it to the 500, then we look, survey, and attack.

500m gone, down again, not last this time, 5th, turkey is done, lets real them in.
"GO" - we move, noticibly and with signifigant increase in boat speed.
750 down, "Go again" We are going for this one goddamnit, GO.
1000m, still in fifth, the czech and turks are ours, GO again. GO. Spain is right there.
1250 down, will calls the sprint, "PICK IT UP!" We jack it, 36, 37, GO.
1500m down, its us, Denmark and Sweden all fighiting it out for first. I make the call to empty the tanks, we all gasp for breath, lactate reeling in our legs, here it is boys, the last five, 400 to go, GO!, 300, GO!

250 left, bouys turn red, i look to our left, there the fuckers are, they're walking, I scream GO! one last time and we make our last push for the line, hands quick, legs pressing, heart pounding, breaths loud and fast. We hit the line and collapse.

3rd place.

Fuck.

In all of our heads, I think I can safely assume that this was the first word to pop into our brains as we crossed the finish line and looked over our shoulders to see what the finishing positions were.

We went for two short cool down laps and took the boat in to de-rig. As we passed the grand stand each time during our cool-down, there was loud cheering from the usa contingent. Thanks to all who were there to support us, you made us truely proud in our endevours.

Shortly after derigging, we entered the catering hall and gorged a bit. This did feel pretty good and so did the cold beer they were serving at the grandstand. Aside from the gear trading and beer drinking that followed, I hope I've left you with a pretty good gist of our experience on the u23 national team.

Thank you once again for all who have supported us and believed in our efforts.

-Pete