News Articles
10/29/09
More Stories from Down Under
Barb Prevedello tells of her experiences at the World Masters Games
Category: Rowing Stories
Posted by: Hugh Fletcher
From home:
After months of preparation and weeks of deadlines we finally all arrived in Sydney Australia for the World Masters Games October 10-19 2009. We were a small but enthusiastic group from the Hanlan Boat club, the only Toronto rowing club, among 1900 rowers and 28,000 athletes to take part in these games.
Diane Mara, Deb Cumming, Susie Wright, Kelly Brigley, Sara Erskine, Colin Hughes, Richard MacFarlane and our young enthusiastic cox Camille Angelo, the youngest competitor at the games (15).
Day one, in Sydney, required us to line up for 2 1\2 hours at the registration centre in Olympic village. After waiting in the rain and wind in the long line-up, we considered this our first event, with a gold medal result having received our accreditation! The resulting lanyard identification allowed us city transportation on the public trains and free access to all events throughout the games.
Day two and everyday thereafter we traveled by train to Penrith, the coveted Olympic rowing course, 1 hour out of the city. At first look I stood in awe imagining what happened at this venue in 2000 and allowed the excitment and thrill of competition to over take me.
Most of our team raced early in the morning most days, before Di and I were at the course and had managed to put in very good efforts among tough competitive rowers. There were many countries represented among them Russia, Mexico, Italy, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway and many others, however Australia and New Zealand had the largest assembly of participants and by the numbers it appears that rowing is in contention to be their national sport after rugby.
Diane and I raced our first race and put up a good fight against younger crews and although we were not in the medals we broke our personal best time and gained experience with the course, and got to experience the rental boat that we would be using for our primary race in two days.
Hanlan rowers were racing good strong events against very good rowers. It was such a thrill to see the big H (Hanlan colours)storming down the course to the finish line, whether slugging it out in the first bunch or lagging behind the field, we screamed and shouted like we were Olympians.
The 4+, Deb, Susie, Di and myself,and Camille, that we put together hastily in Toronto and practiced only twice together, managed to haul in the 8th best time in a field of 59 teams, which has encouraged us to stay together and row more often when we are back in Toronto. The 4X with the same crew, sailed into the semi-final easily only to be blown out by the competition that same day.
Unfortunately the last two days were cancelled due to 90 km winds that whipped up the small body of water into 3 foot swells, in mid morning, swamping and capsizing boats that were already on the course.
96 Events on Oct 13 and 145 events on Oct 14 had to be cancelled, to the disappointment of all who had traveled from afar, including and especially the organizers.
Diane and I were duly disappointed as our main event, the "women's double F" was one of the cancelled events, as was the mixed 8 on the following day when all 9 of us would row together and have some fun. (6 women 2 men, not really in the running against 4 men adn 4 women crews, but good and strong and hopeful)
Our fearless and confident coxswain lent herself out to other crews from around the world and managed to bring home a Bronze medal with a Men's "G" Coxed Four(4+) from Iron Cove Rowing Club in Australia. Camille guided other clubs down the course but never lost sight of our Hanlan crews.
Our group supported and helped each other in ways that bonded us like only rowing can do. We all helped each other launch with encouraging words and energy, we cheered our voices hoarse and helped each other to make this a memorable experience. I personally came away with wonderful memories and a renewed commitment to rowing the very best I can.
We have committed to Torino in 2013 for the next "games" and hope that others will join us for this most exciting and challenging experience of rowing with like minded athletes from far away places.
photo #1 "the gang" #2 the eldest games competitor at 99 years young - a Gold medal winner ( as you can see he is in a class by himself)
Thank you to all who sent their best wishes and words of encouragement to me before and during my quest for gold.
I met Franco on the 15th at the Sydney airport and off we flew to New Zealand for 10 days of wine touring. Incorporating both islands we managed to sample most of the Pinot Noir the country had to offer. ( or rather one sampled and one drove) Very beautiful country, friendly people and magnificent scenery)
Now back to reality.... what day is it?
BP
From home:
After months of preparation and weeks of deadlines we finally all arrived in Sydney Australia for the World Masters Games October 10-19 2009. We were a small but enthusiastic group from the Hanlan Boat club, the only Toronto rowing club, among 1900 rowers and 28,000 athletes to take part in these games.
Diane Mara, Deb Cumming, Susie Wright, Kelly Brigley, Sara Erskine, Colin Hughes, Richard MacFarlane and our young enthusiastic cox Camille Angelo, the youngest competitor at the games (15).
Day one, in Sydney, required us to line up for 2 1\2 hours at the registration centre in Olympic village. After waiting in the rain and wind in the long line-up, we considered this our first event, with a gold medal result having received our accreditation! The resulting lanyard identification allowed us city transportation on the public trains and free access to all events throughout the games.
Day two and everyday thereafter we traveled by train to Penrith, the coveted Olympic rowing course, 1 hour out of the city. At first look I stood in awe imagining what happened at this venue in 2000 and allowed the excitment and thrill of competition to over take me.
Most of our team raced early in the morning most days, before Di and I were at the course and had managed to put in very good efforts among tough competitive rowers. There were many countries represented among them Russia, Mexico, Italy, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway and many others, however Australia and New Zealand had the largest assembly of participants and by the numbers it appears that rowing is in contention to be their national sport after rugby.
Diane and I raced our first race and put up a good fight against younger crews and although we were not in the medals we broke our personal best time and gained experience with the course, and got to experience the rental boat that we would be using for our primary race in two days.
Hanlan rowers were racing good strong events against very good rowers. It was such a thrill to see the big H (Hanlan colours)storming down the course to the finish line, whether slugging it out in the first bunch or lagging behind the field, we screamed and shouted like we were Olympians.
The 4+, Deb, Susie, Di and myself,and Camille, that we put together hastily in Toronto and practiced only twice together, managed to haul in the 8th best time in a field of 59 teams, which has encouraged us to stay together and row more often when we are back in Toronto. The 4X with the same crew, sailed into the semi-final easily only to be blown out by the competition that same day.
Unfortunately the last two days were cancelled due to 90 km winds that whipped up the small body of water into 3 foot swells, in mid morning, swamping and capsizing boats that were already on the course.
96 Events on Oct 13 and 145 events on Oct 14 had to be cancelled, to the disappointment of all who had traveled from afar, including and especially the organizers.
Diane and I were duly disappointed as our main event, the "women's double F" was one of the cancelled events, as was the mixed 8 on the following day when all 9 of us would row together and have some fun. (6 women 2 men, not really in the running against 4 men adn 4 women crews, but good and strong and hopeful)
Our fearless and confident coxswain lent herself out to other crews from around the world and managed to bring home a Bronze medal with a Men's "G" Coxed Four(4+) from Iron Cove Rowing Club in Australia. Camille guided other clubs down the course but never lost sight of our Hanlan crews.
Our group supported and helped each other in ways that bonded us like only rowing can do. We all helped each other launch with encouraging words and energy, we cheered our voices hoarse and helped each other to make this a memorable experience. I personally came away with wonderful memories and a renewed commitment to rowing the very best I can.
We have committed to Torino in 2013 for the next "games" and hope that others will join us for this most exciting and challenging experience of rowing with like minded athletes from far away places.
See pictures in Photo Section. Photo #1 "the gang" #2 the eldest games competitor at 99 years young - a Gold medal winner ( as you can see he is in a class by himself)
Thank you to all who sent their best wishes and words of encouragement to me before and during my quest for gold.
I met Franco on the 15th at the Sydney airport and off we flew to New Zealand for 10 days of wine touring. Incorporating both islands we managed to sample most of the Pinot Noir the country had to offer. ( or rather one sampled and one drove) Very beautiful country, friendly people and magnificent scenery)
Now back to reality.... what day is it?
BP
After months of preparation and weeks of deadlines we finally all arrived in Sydney Australia for the World Masters Games October 10-19 2009. We were a small but enthusiastic group from the Hanlan Boat club, the only Toronto rowing club, among 1900 rowers and 28,000 athletes to take part in these games.
Diane Mara, Deb Cumming, Susie Wright, Kelly Brigley, Sara Erskine, Colin Hughes, Richard MacFarlane and our young enthusiastic cox Camille Angelo, the youngest competitor at the games (15).
Day one, in Sydney, required us to line up for 2 1\2 hours at the registration centre in Olympic village. After waiting in the rain and wind in the long line-up, we considered this our first event, with a gold medal result having received our accreditation! The resulting lanyard identification allowed us city transportation on the public trains and free access to all events throughout the games.
Day two and everyday thereafter we traveled by train to Penrith, the coveted Olympic rowing course, 1 hour out of the city. At first look I stood in awe imagining what happened at this venue in 2000 and allowed the excitment and thrill of competition to over take me.
Most of our team raced early in the morning most days, before Di and I were at the course and had managed to put in very good efforts among tough competitive rowers. There were many countries represented among them Russia, Mexico, Italy, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway and many others, however Australia and New Zealand had the largest assembly of participants and by the numbers it appears that rowing is in contention to be their national sport after rugby.
Diane and I raced our first race and put up a good fight against younger crews and although we were not in the medals we broke our personal best time and gained experience with the course, and got to experience the rental boat that we would be using for our primary race in two days.
Hanlan rowers were racing good strong events against very good rowers. It was such a thrill to see the big H (Hanlan colours)storming down the course to the finish line, whether slugging it out in the first bunch or lagging behind the field, we screamed and shouted like we were Olympians.
The 4+, Deb, Susie, Di and myself,and Camille, that we put together hastily in Toronto and practiced only twice together, managed to haul in the 8th best time in a field of 59 teams, which has encouraged us to stay together and row more often when we are back in Toronto. The 4X with the same crew, sailed into the semi-final easily only to be blown out by the competition that same day.
Unfortunately the last two days were cancelled due to 90 km winds that whipped up the small body of water into 3 foot swells, in mid morning, swamping and capsizing boats that were already on the course.
96 Events on Oct 13 and 145 events on Oct 14 had to be cancelled, to the disappointment of all who had traveled from afar, including and especially the organizers.
Diane and I were duly disappointed as our main event, the "women's double F" was one of the cancelled events, as was the mixed 8 on the following day when all 9 of us would row together and have some fun. (6 women 2 men, not really in the running against 4 men adn 4 women crews, but good and strong and hopeful)
Our fearless and confident coxswain lent herself out to other crews from around the world and managed to bring home a Bronze medal with a Men's "G" Coxed Four(4+) from Iron Cove Rowing Club in Australia. Camille guided other clubs down the course but never lost sight of our Hanlan crews.
Our group supported and helped each other in ways that bonded us like only rowing can do. We all helped each other launch with encouraging words and energy, we cheered our voices hoarse and helped each other to make this a memorable experience. I personally came away with wonderful memories and a renewed commitment to rowing the very best I can.
We have committed to Torino in 2013 for the next "games" and hope that others will join us for this most exciting and challenging experience of rowing with like minded athletes from far away places.
photo #1 "the gang" #2 the eldest games competitor at 99 years young - a Gold medal winner ( as you can see he is in a class by himself)
Thank you to all who sent their best wishes and words of encouragement to me before and during my quest for gold.
I met Franco on the 15th at the Sydney airport and off we flew to New Zealand for 10 days of wine touring. Incorporating both islands we managed to sample most of the Pinot Noir the country had to offer. ( or rather one sampled and one drove) Very beautiful country, friendly people and magnificent scenery)
Now back to reality.... what day is it?
BP
From home:
After months of preparation and weeks of deadlines we finally all arrived in Sydney Australia for the World Masters Games October 10-19 2009. We were a small but enthusiastic group from the Hanlan Boat club, the only Toronto rowing club, among 1900 rowers and 28,000 athletes to take part in these games.
Diane Mara, Deb Cumming, Susie Wright, Kelly Brigley, Sara Erskine, Colin Hughes, Richard MacFarlane and our young enthusiastic cox Camille Angelo, the youngest competitor at the games (15).
Day one, in Sydney, required us to line up for 2 1\2 hours at the registration centre in Olympic village. After waiting in the rain and wind in the long line-up, we considered this our first event, with a gold medal result having received our accreditation! The resulting lanyard identification allowed us city transportation on the public trains and free access to all events throughout the games.
Day two and everyday thereafter we traveled by train to Penrith, the coveted Olympic rowing course, 1 hour out of the city. At first look I stood in awe imagining what happened at this venue in 2000 and allowed the excitment and thrill of competition to over take me.
Most of our team raced early in the morning most days, before Di and I were at the course and had managed to put in very good efforts among tough competitive rowers. There were many countries represented among them Russia, Mexico, Italy, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway and many others, however Australia and New Zealand had the largest assembly of participants and by the numbers it appears that rowing is in contention to be their national sport after rugby.
Diane and I raced our first race and put up a good fight against younger crews and although we were not in the medals we broke our personal best time and gained experience with the course, and got to experience the rental boat that we would be using for our primary race in two days.
Hanlan rowers were racing good strong events against very good rowers. It was such a thrill to see the big H (Hanlan colours)storming down the course to the finish line, whether slugging it out in the first bunch or lagging behind the field, we screamed and shouted like we were Olympians.
The 4+, Deb, Susie, Di and myself,and Camille, that we put together hastily in Toronto and practiced only twice together, managed to haul in the 8th best time in a field of 59 teams, which has encouraged us to stay together and row more often when we are back in Toronto. The 4X with the same crew, sailed into the semi-final easily only to be blown out by the competition that same day.
Unfortunately the last two days were cancelled due to 90 km winds that whipped up the small body of water into 3 foot swells, in mid morning, swamping and capsizing boats that were already on the course.
96 Events on Oct 13 and 145 events on Oct 14 had to be cancelled, to the disappointment of all who had traveled from afar, including and especially the organizers.
Diane and I were duly disappointed as our main event, the "women's double F" was one of the cancelled events, as was the mixed 8 on the following day when all 9 of us would row together and have some fun. (6 women 2 men, not really in the running against 4 men adn 4 women crews, but good and strong and hopeful)
Our fearless and confident coxswain lent herself out to other crews from around the world and managed to bring home a Bronze medal with a Men's "G" Coxed Four(4+) from Iron Cove Rowing Club in Australia. Camille guided other clubs down the course but never lost sight of our Hanlan crews.
Our group supported and helped each other in ways that bonded us like only rowing can do. We all helped each other launch with encouraging words and energy, we cheered our voices hoarse and helped each other to make this a memorable experience. I personally came away with wonderful memories and a renewed commitment to rowing the very best I can.
We have committed to Torino in 2013 for the next "games" and hope that others will join us for this most exciting and challenging experience of rowing with like minded athletes from far away places.
See pictures in Photo Section. Photo #1 "the gang" #2 the eldest games competitor at 99 years young - a Gold medal winner ( as you can see he is in a class by himself)
Thank you to all who sent their best wishes and words of encouragement to me before and during my quest for gold.
I met Franco on the 15th at the Sydney airport and off we flew to New Zealand for 10 days of wine touring. Incorporating both islands we managed to sample most of the Pinot Noir the country had to offer. ( or rather one sampled and one drove) Very beautiful country, friendly people and magnificent scenery)
Now back to reality.... what day is it?
BP
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