Two sprint races on the same weekend ( 7/10, 7/11) provided a study in contrasts:
Capital: Urban, new location, pouring rain, Sportgraphics, race announcer+ music, after-race picnic
Occoquan: Wooded, old favorite, sunlight and heat, quiet, after race ice cream
But at both the competition was high and TRRA teams raced hard.
This was the first year that the Capital Sprints was held at Capital Rowing Club’s new Anacostia Community Boathouse. They were still working out some details on race day – like where to park trailers so there was enough room for people to rig boats but I am sure these will be resolved by next year. The new docks are very nice and while there are no shade trees, there is (or will be) a grassy area for tents right by the finish line. The race course was wide and fairly straight. It had some interesting features such as a destroyer or frigate (a very big ship) and a big bridge under construction.
Unfortunately all of this was overshadowed by the relentless downpour that started just as we arrived and did not end until the last few races of the day. Luckily it was warm so we were wet but not too cold. There were no thunder storms and races continued on time all day long.
There was a large Three Rivers contingent at this regatta. Both evening masters’ teams attended as did both morning teams. Looking back at the results there were quite a few first place finishes among both the women’s and men’s masters teams as well as second and third places although medals were only given for first place. I was in a particularly exciting mixed 8+ which we lost by only .78 seconds. So despite the weather, Three Rivers were strong competitors.
Derigging and loading was made more interesting because many of the men’s and women’s masters were racing at Occoquan the next day. Luckily the sun came out making this part of the day more enjoyable. Still we hurried back to our hotels, where, even though we spent a day in rain, it was a pleasure to stand under a hot shower. The men’s team organized a group dinner at a local eatery: Mike's American Grill which was a great way to end that soggy day.
Sunday morning was clear and bright for the ride to Occoquan. Who would guess that after driving through windy rural/suburban roads that you would find this tree surrounded reservoir all set up for regattas! As wet as the preceding day was, this one warmed up quickly to be very hot. Lugging the boats up hill in the heat after each race added an extra dose of strength work for mind and body.
Like Capital, the race was well run and stayed on time, despite some congestion at the docks on occasion. While not as many first place finishes (or seconds or thirds) there were a few including Jenn Langzettel who capture 2 firsts in both her 1X races at Capital and Occoquan and a happy women’s 4X.
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