Tom James and I are in the group A of races. To split the racing and spread it out through the week, the whole program is split into two sections, which race every other day. See attached pdf. This gives us a bit of a plus as we finish racing the day before the Eight and some other boats, not only giving us a day to get ahead in the bar, but also a day to support the rest of the team! Our season has been quite chaotic with injuries and illnesses, and the heat is going to be a big race. Training has been going well and I’m looking forward to seeing what we have been able to do in the last 6 weeks. The venue is amazing, all green – despite being next to a desert, very colourful banners everywhere, as you’d expect for an Olympics, and lots of very charged athletes! And it's boiling! Whenever the sun finds a break in the cloud/smog/mist it really hits home how hot this place could be. We have seen improving conditions since we have arrived and today was clear and thus hot! All we need is a nice tailwind and the some records could well be broken!
As the crews start to arrive from their own training camps every country is looking well drilled. There’s going to be some tough racing, and without doubt another step up from Athens. For us, all we can do to make sure we’re on top form for the heat, and make sure we improve from there! Anything less will end in tears!
Well, I hope you all enjoy the show! See you in a few weeks!
Hodge
