TPDB team A 2007

Like what I said earlier on, life is unexpected.

Unexpected situation started 3 days before regatta, when I was transferred from boat B to boat A, because one of them is sick. Training for this race is quite alright, especially the last week before race. I think it goes the same for most of the team. Using lighter boat this year, so different experience.

Day one of race is the heats of opens and tertiary category. We started our day with the opens heats, and both of our teams managed to get into semi-finals. However, tertiary didn't manage to get in to finals.

Day two of race, team A's semi heats was a very tough one. Nevertheless, we managed to get into the grand finals. Long hours of waiting for the last event, it's the most important race, event 60, the grand final. I believe this event is the most exciting one. Lane 1 NP, Lane 2 RP, Lane 3 NUS, Lane 4 TP, Lane 5 NP alumni, 5 boats were getting ready for this important moment. Slowly, all boats were getting in lane, coxswain holding the rope and rowers staying focus. Drummer were trying to get the boat into the starting line, it was a moment of silence by then. "Are you ready?", shouted the official with his loud hailer. "Attention..", paddles were already up to paddle as hard as possible for the first stroke, heart rate was pounding faster then usual. *air horn*. Race has started, all the boats were trying their best to row and surge the boat as fast as possible to reach for the ending point. The boat pass by one point to another, our mind still focusing what we need to do. Everything was fine and steady, and now towards the ending point, a last charge was given, we row with all our strength, no reserve. The boat cross the ending point, with 4 other boats also crossing the point almost at the same time. It was a close fight. We went back to the pontoon and get back to the shore while waiting anxiously for the results to be announced. Result shows that TP gets 4th. Ya, we didn't win any medal. However, this was one of the best set we row. We have no regrets already. Most of them agree that it was one of out best set, so though it's just within milliseconds away from the medal, we were still feel a sense of achievement at that moment, as getting into grand final in opens category is one of our objective being met. We are not there yet. I believe TP will continue to soar even greater heights in future, same goes with the girls team. We did it before, we know we can do it again.

TP ARE YOU READY?