Despite the anger of the weather gods, we had a great start into the 2019 racing season at the North Carolina Masters State Championships in High Point. Complete results are here.
Everybody went home with at least 2 medals around their neck.
Many thanks to those who made it possible
Richard S for being organizer in chief + setting boats + getting the towing vehicle + keeping everybody on their toes + bankrolling everything (looking forward to the spreadsheet – since Tim did not race, it may have more than one tab).
Brian for driving the trailer – we hope you race a lot with us …
Tracy for providing shelter, food, and a new 4-legged club mascot
Kylie for coxing us and making sure we do not miss a start (the only warning we got was in the quad race ….)
Statler and Waldorf for keeping us entertained
Ken for providing the beer
Everybody for helping with de-rigging and loading (and the other way around)
Proof again: CHaOS is a great club
Things we learned (not sorted by importance):
Brian can eat a foot long sandwich and win a race 40 minutes later
One can become State Champion despite rowing off with the oarlocks backward
Holding on to one’s oar(s) when getting in and out of the boat is not taught at Harvard (and some other Northeastern schools)
Rick has an irresistible affinity to water: when helping others wet launch (resulting in an aching rear end) and when trying to row square blades
The European and US cultures clash over the term “I can’t”, one thinking it has to do with attitude, the other trying to say “we will be faster at 28spm”
Tow trucks can get stuck in the mud, too
A men’s 8 from Atlanta can be flabbergasted by a men’s 7+1woman (actually, 2 if you count Kylie) from CHaOS
A 30 meter detour made Brad’s day (and won a silver medal for the Freight Train – not bad for its first race …)
Oxford and Denmark are not happy with posting the fastest time (of the day) – they also wants to win on handicap (just grow up – sorry – old)
Duct tape and beer make a good combination – even with Rob overseas …
After a winter of training, CHaOS can execute a race plan and achieve a race profile with minimal fade the coach of the Australian M8+ calls “right on the money
Thank you for a great start into the 2019 racing season!