I have to admit, the race this weekend was very very interesting. There were a lot of first for us!

First time to send down an [...]]]> Hello All …

I have to admit, the race this weekend was very very interesting. There were a lot of first for us!

• First time to win a race, beating the Germans, Canadians and Americans. We were no.1 in the heats, but couldn’t make it past the semi-finals.

• First time to send down an all-women team. Yay … super Armada Chicas!!!
• First time to have our boat capsized!

I am really proud of the team. We did very well. After we won the heats, there were people from different teams coming up and congratulating us … and telling us how impressed they were that we have come a long way in such a short time. Yes. I am quite impressed too

The finals was quite an eventful time for us. We were all pumped up and roaring to go. We paddled hard … all the way into the water. I think we were still paddling when the boat was turning over! I loved that spirit in us … not willing to give up. I hope this spirit will continue and soon … very soon … we will have our own medals and cups

See you all at the training this Saturday.

Paddlezup!
Sylvia

Coach – Spanish Armada

Our best time was 1h 8.5mins … and we completed the race in 57.5mins! There were 25 boats racing – and we came in at 22nd position.

The last 1K was the BEST. We were spurred on to chase boat no.11, which was 2 boats’ length ahead of us … that [...]]]>

The Spanish Armada did it!!

Our best time was 1h 8.5mins … and we completed the race in 57.5mins!
There were 25 boats racing – and we came in at 22nd position.

The last 1K was the BEST. We were spurred on to chase boat no.11, which was 2 boats’ length ahead of us … that would be about 25m. At the last 500m, we were half a boat’s length behind them, and we charged! At the last 200m, we were neck to neck and they started their last charge at this point. They started to pull away. They were tired, so were we! We had been charging for the last 500m, but we really REALLY wanted to finish ahead of them.

The last 100m charge by the Spanish Armada was a sight to see. We were poetry in water! Beautiful synchronisation, amazing hard pulls, lightening fast recovery. Oh … just visualising it again bring tears to my eye! :p

We did it! – we beat boat no.11 and came in 22nd position, in 57mins 34 seconds!!!
Amazing job, guys … I feel indescribably proud.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together for the racers -
Keith / Chun Onn – the main pacers
Zhen Yi / Jon / Yus / Monica – the supporting pacers
Ling Sim / Venice / Jehanna / Edu / Russel / Marcin – the middle pack (engine)
Teresa / Ignacio / Unai / Jing Kang / Sylvia / Alex – the last pack (power house)
and of course, Chris – our coxswain

Cheers!
Sylvia
Coach – Spanish Armada

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