Monthly Archives: August 2013

A Birthday in Chungju

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Another year older. Another year wiser. And hopefully another year faster, given my current surroundings. Spending my birthday in South Korea gearing up for the World Rowing Championships that kick off tomorrow (August 25th), makes for a memorable one.

While there were no cake and candles, I was lucky enough to have balloons and banners on my big day! Thanks to my teammates for making me feel like a special old lady.

Balloons for the Birthday girl!
Balloons for the Birthday girl!

I celebrated with a row and more race prep this morning. Oh, and it was college uni day! I managed to snag a Virginia top even though I didn’t row for UVa. Go Hoos!

College uni day! Ellen Tomek sporting the Michigan Blue and Meghan O’Leary representing UVa.

I spent the afternoon resting and hanging out with my roommate and boat mate, Ellen Tomek. Fret not, I ended the day appropriately with a dining hall full of Americans, Germans, Brits and Aussies singing the “Happy Birthday” song.

August seems to be the popular month for National Team birthdays as there have been several celebrations in the short time that we’ve been here in Chungju as well as the days leading up to our trip. Other August babies include: Amanda Polk from the women’s eight (8/2), Will Daly from the men’s lightweight four (8/2), Lauren Schmetterling from the women’s eight (8/3), Katelin Snyder from the women’s eight (8/16); twin brothers Grant and Ross James from the men’s four and men’s eight respectively (8/17), Bryan Volpenhein, head coach of the men’s team (8/18), Zack Vlahos from the men’s eight (8/19), Megan Kalmoe from the women’s quad (8/21), and finally me, bringing the month of celebrations to a close on the 24th. Just in time for racing.

And finally, the Sunday draw came out! http://www.sportresult.com/federations/FISA/download/World_Rowing_Championships_Chungju,_Korea_SS_2013.08.25.cp.pdf

Racing starts tomorrow. Go USA!

Every Day Counts.

Welcome to Chungju!

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Team USA departing Princeton Boathouse headed for 2013 World Championships.
Team USA departing Princeton Boathouse headed for 2013 World Championships.

Team USA has officially arrived in Chungju, South Korea. The journey began early Wednesday morning with a two-hour bus ride from Princeton to JFK International Airport. The anticipation and excitement could be felt among the group as people seemed to be extra chatty-or perhaps it was just because I was sitting next to an over-caffeinated Mike Gennaro (stroke of the Men’s 4-).

After a long and rather sleepless 14-hour flight from JFK to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, we endured another two-hour bus ride heading southwest to the city of Chungju. Unsurprisingly, this bus ride was a bit quieter than the ride some 20 hours earlier.

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As the buses pulled into and began unloading at the IBK Training Center, our residence for the next two weeks, the energy of the group was revived by an enthusiastic and boisterous welcoming party chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and waving the American flag. Holding up a huge banner, “Welcome to Chungju USA”, they continued to chant and clap for us as we walked into the lobby. It was humbling yet uplifting to be greeted so warmly by the local staff. I’m not sure I’ve ever made an entrance like that.

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The IBK Training Center is absolutely beautiful. Set in the lush, green hillside along the banks of the Chungjuho lake, the campus itself is immaculate and pristine, surrounded by an impeccable layout of gardens and open space. Basically, we’re staying in a pretty amazing place. The staff couldn’t be nicer and the food is actually pretty decent. Great Britain, Germany, and Australia join team USA at the IBK, while other countries are scattered at various resorts and hotels around Chungju.

A few days later and we’re finally adjusting to the time difference, shaking off the jet lag and remembering how to effectively move a boat. The facilities at the race course are just as impressive. Aside from a pretty wicked cross wind, I have no complaints. South Korea definitely knows how to welcome the World.

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We’re all excited and proud to be here, representing the USA at the 2013 World Rowing Championships. We still have a lot of days ahead of us before racing begins, but it’ll be here before we know it. Here’s to fast racing and bringing home some hardware.

Every Day Counts.