All revved up and no place to paddle. What a day.
Went through our routine. Heather was on the water in the warm up. The C2 class had already completed their first runs. The weather was bad with a lot of rain and then….lightning…….and the loudest bang of thunder I have ever heard. It sounded like the biggest cannon in the world going off. Un believable. The athletes were pulled off the water and the ladies K1 was initially delayed by 30 minutes. The rain kept coming and the sky showed no signs of getting any brighter.
Another 30 minute delay was announced. Heth rang me on the phone and we chatted about our strategy to deal with the delays and the uncertainty.
Then the announcement….race postponed until tomorrow.
This in itself doesn’t sound that bad until you realise the logistics. We are only booked in to the hotel until tonight. I have accreditation that runs out
Tomorrow. The US coaches have accreditation that runs out at 09.00h tomorrow and is due to be transferred to the sprint paddler coaches that are moving in to our hotel tomorrow. Dinner tickets, tickets for the venue….etc. etc. I’ve got tickets for the swimming final tomorrow morning…which cost me a small fortune and now I can’t go….arghhh. Anyway this is where the management earn their corn.
All is well sorted before we even get back to the hotel. We can stay tomorrow night if we wish or we can pack up and leave in the evening after the race and staff will stay to assist us and we can leave baggage at the hotel. Heather is the only USA interest left in the race and fair play to them, they are making sure we are looked after.
I understand that some of my US friends got up at 2 In the morning to watch the race live….thanks for the support guys….really appreciated and sorry to put you through it all again tomorrow.,
The timetable for tomorrow is that Heather will be on for her semi final run at 15.12h China time. The final, if she makes top 10, will be about an hour later. The time is dependant on where exactly she is in the top 10 if she makes it.
So we are now in uncharted waters. I have never known an Olympic final to be cancelled before. We have to calm ourselves and then build up again tomorrow. We have just spent the evening with Heather’s mum, brother and cousin, which was actually a good distraction tonight after all the ups and downs of the day. 10.00pm China time. Once again I am having my evening relaxing beer, watching the table tennis……..to my friends and team mates at Unicorns….I think we could show them a thing or two eh!!!!!!!!!!
We all got absolutely soaked….wet through to the skin. All our kit is drying on the balcony……and I’m very worried about the state of my Highland Cup golf hat……….Once again to my Highland Cup golfing friends….hat or no hat….I’m bringing game……Really going to enjoy the Ryder Cup…..and all the gloating afterwards!!!
Off to bed soon. Same basic timetable as yesterday. Heather handling it all pretty well….but we need to make sure the fire in the belly is there again tomorrow. We had it right today……let’s hope we can repeat it.
By the way…don’t tell anyone….but it’s my birthday today. Happy birthday me……but save any best wishes and pass them on all on to Heth.
Kind Regards
Geoff Parsons
Geoff Parsons Blog 
August 15, 2008 at 8:46 pm |
We have been following Heather’s progress all week and getting very frustrated that there has not been enough coverage of our most important competitor! Feeling very excited and very proud, we have managed to follow progress via the Olympic website. Fantastic that Heather is even there, even more thrilling she has done so well! Please pass on our congratulations. Look forward to seeing you when you get home…enjoy the rest of your time over there.