Overview:
The level of rowing skill is extremely high in these final days before the Games begin; skill, rhythm, and uniformity is at a level that is a full notch higher even than at the 1999 Worlds, or in Lucerne earlier this year.
Remember, however, that cosmetically good crews are not always the fastest crews. There have been instances in recent memory when a crew rowed "better," but went slower. Ours remains a power sport, and it comes down to a harrowing race.
For the past two days, weather has been superb, if a bit warm. The mornings have found frost on the pumpkins, with temps as low as 6-8 degrees centigrade; by mid-afternoon, the temperature has risen to 26 degrees centigrade, with a blazing sun that crisps the earlobes. The water has been flat, with a light, variable tailwind, although the wind has picked up slightly this afternoon.
The forecast for the next few days could bring some change as a front will pass through in the next two days. We may even be met with rain for the first day of racing on Sunday. If any of you have any sway with the weather gods, let it be known that the NBC commentators booth, in which Yaz and I will be working, is exposed to the elements. We could use a little help staying dry.
Speaking of Yaz, she's slaying her interviews here; I think our sport will do very well on TV. She's complained a little about having to put on makeup, but such is the price of stardom.
There was a bit of sparring on the lake today; there seemed to be as many non-American coaches chasing the racing as there were American coaches.
Men's Eight
The US men's eight took a spin with Kolpacks in the stroke seat yesterday, giving Chris Ahrens a rest from stroking back in the six seat, a common tactic with the US crew. They were back out in the normal racing lineup today, looking not bad at all.
The Croatian eight is in stealth mode, with their blades still unpainted, but it's clear their boat is going pretty well.
The Dutch crew is rowing in an unusual double bucket, with buckets at six and seven, and four and five. The lineup goes:
Bow: starboard
2: port
3: starboard
4: port
5: port
6: starboard
7: starboard
stroke: port
Women's eight
While preliminary lineups had Constanta Burcica, Romania's best lightweight, in the four seat of the Romanian women's eight, the Romanian lineups were adjusted today. Burcica is in the LW 2x with Alupei; Veronica Cochela is in the four seat. The consequences of the previous lineup would have created an arguably somewhat undergunned Romanian eight, with a lightweight in the engine room, and the best lightweight is no longer in the LW double. It's obviously a moot point now.
The US women's eight did some sparring this morning with the men's straight fours; stroke Lianne Bennion-Nelson painted her toes with perfect oar designs for the occasion. Props to Yaz on this one, who used to do the same.
Quads
The men's quad is sporting a relatively new lineup, with Jake Wetzel at stroke, and Sean Hall in the bow. Ian McGowan is at three, and Nick Peterson is at two.
The women's quad is doing some crisp rowing at the moment; I haven't seen them at speed, but their steady state is quite competent.
Fours
The men's lightweight and heavyweight fours joined the women's eight this morning for some pieces; you'll get no margins or times from us, but things looked about right.
Lightweight women's double
Sarah and Christine look like their usual competent selves; in the late summer, they might have been the tightest crew on the water in Princeton.
Lightweight men's double
If the Polish crew can make weight (they had to scratch after the heats last year in St. Catharines due to weight problems), they certainly have the power to do well here. They look big and strong; their strength and weakness one and the same.
Steve Tucker and Conal Groom look crisp and together; if they can pick up 3-4 seconds from Lucerne, they could push themselves into the medals.
Pairs
Sebastian Bea appears to be back in full swing; I saw the crew taking power strokes yesterday afternoon, and he didn't appear tentative at all.
Missy and Karen, of course, are the darlings of the media.
Singles
When the wind came up a bit this afternoon, Don Smith was one of the only rowers on the water. Spending a little time in the wind and chop is hardly a bad call. I saw Monica Tranel Michini out on the water today, where she gamely did a flyby piece for the NBC soundman who is recording blade sounds for use on television. There's a secret TV trick underlying this project; I'll probably spill the beans on it later this week.
Media
After two days of sharing the giant press tent with only Les Murphy, the head media honcho, journos and photographers are starting to trickle in. I expect today is our last day of relative peace and quiet; especially since the IRN gets here soon (j/k).
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