World Cup 1 - Portugal

Just finished up World Cup 1 in Montemor-O-Velho, a nearly coastal town in Portugal covered in Castles and known for is 2km water-sport course. Race's this weekend were ok. It was the first international regatta of the season. So it's great to feel the pressure of international racing again, but man, there's a lot to learn and a huge ways to go. I'm stoked I found my way to the B-final in the 500m race. I need a little work in some of my other races. World cups results don't matter too too much. They're mostly just a chance for athletes to get some race experience early in the season. Some countries do use these as race off opportunities to select their national team athletes. For me it was about experience which meant I was entered into a good number of races- 1000m K1, 500m K1, 200m K1.

This is the first time I've raced sprint so close to the ocean- you can feel some of the coastal characteristics impacting the flatwater course. Like the wind. The wind would be calm in the morning. As the sun rises, a light onshore breeze would develop meaning a tailwind at the course. Throughout the day the wind would build and shift to an off shore breeze and side wind on the course. Watching the flags all day, you can see the wind growing and shifting the same way it would the day of a beach surfski race or something. It mirrors east coast USA conditions perfectly. All of this meant that the timing of your race and your lane assignment on this narrow man made channel could leave you with very different results. These were all factors we mentally thought out before each race. Just another cool part of being an outdoor water sport. This aint no gym treadmill workout.

It was really cool to see all of the international racers: some old friends, some new ones. There were like 25 countries at this regatta. This number is rumored to be doubled next week at World Cup 2 in Duisburg, Germany. It's all just part of the journey; adventuring throughout Europe!