Sunday

We're into our routine now-- the shuttles to the course are running every half hour, the "Olympic" caterers have taken over our meal preparation and the teams are starting to roll in. The germans and french showed up in force this morning and the italians arrived this evening. The boats and blades at this point are mostly rigged and painted. The crews are getting into their respective grooves. Several of the US crews raced each other today in practice into a very stiff headwind.

So it is safe to say the arrival period is over and we're rapidly approaching "go" time. If an athlete isn't very mindful of their focus it is easy to get intimidated at this point. The competition here is the best in the world and they look and act like it. It is critical that the rowers stay confident and aggressive and spend their time and energy on making their own practices the best they can be. So far our crews are working like pros-- one of the British organizers commented to me today that we always look "so dialed in and on top of things." Credit to our coaches and crews then, for showing the competition that we are ready to rumble.

Tomorrow is the opening ceremony and one assumes that by that point everyone will have arrived, so the course ought to be pretty busy in the morning. For those able to come the ceremony: I haven't had an answer yet from the organizing committee about where you are supposed to park. I'll post details just as soon as I can. You are certainly welcome however. Ceremony starts at 7:30pm and lasts an hour.

For those who purchased FISA friends and family tickets: I will have you tickets waiting at the ticket booth (photo above) which is located at about the 1250m mark on the course. They will be available for pick-up from Wednesday afternoon.

For those who still need tickets: You can get them on-line (http://www.wrjc2011.com/spectators/tickets) or buy them at the door. The "regular" seating may consist of simple plastic chairs, set on the hill adjacent the course. You may even be sitting on the grass. Either way, I suspect it will be first come first served. The "FISA Friends and Family" ticket holders will certainly have great seats for the medal ceremony, but otherwise the regular tickets will have exactly the same look at the racing- albeit from the other side of the course. I'm confident everyone will be able to get a great view. Just get there early and bring a rain coat (umbrellas would block viewing).