|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:35 |
|
Can you contribute to more success in 2012 with the Grand Dragons? 2 medals in Amsterdam, 3 medals in Tampa but not the elusive Gold. If you aspire to be and have the ambition to become as good as the best then you can make a difference. The squad meets again on the 23rd October. See the training page for future dates.
 |
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 21:57 |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Sunday, 09 October 2011 16:41 |
|
As expected Tampa proved to be a big step up in the back yard of the North American crews. Australia joined the party alongside USA, Canada, Germany and the Czech Republic. The Grand Dragons turned out in their custom shirts before the competition kicked off.
After the 2K disappointment in Amsterdam The crew were determined to make their mark early and a Silver Medal was just reward for a steamy race around the buoys.
The 2K result set the standard for the crew and expectations were high. Canada and the USA proved to be too strong for GB but Australia made things interesting in the 1000m. Taking a 2 second advantage into the final GB had to find at least half a boat to match them. In a memorable race for the whole crew there was almost clear water to secure the bronze medal.
The 200m followed the same pattern and new comers to the crew were probably thinking this medal winning malarkey is straightforward. Another bronze medal and an expectation that the 500m would complete the set. A managed performance in the heat led to a scrappy rep and the first minor final for the crew. Despite the disappointment of earlier poor performances a near perfect race to comfortably beat Germany in what would have been a silver medal winning time completed a very satisfying competition.
|
|
Last Updated on Sunday, 09 October 2011 17:11 |
|
|
Calling all over 50 athletes. If you can paddle at the highest level or have the ambition to meet the challenge of international competition and you are aged 50 on June 1st in the competition year then join the Grand Dragons British National Training Squad. Contact the coaches to register your interest and learn what the demands will be to meet the challenge. Email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for more information and check out the Training page for future squad dates. |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 08:38 |
|
Squad news has been updated with a message from Ian and Nick. |
|
|
Silver and Bronze Medal Winners |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 06:55 |
|
Our journey to the flat lands proved to be a little bumpier than we might have liked, at least in the 2000 metres, or was it 2250 metres?
ALMOST: Despite passing 4 boats, with 2 of these forming a 'road block' after the second turn and joining us in our boat for the third leg and second turn of the race we recorded a time similar to our training time for 2250m the day before. A time that was just 1.3 seconds off the medals and barely a handful of seconds off GOLD! Elated, frustrated and ultimately disappointed that one of the most memorable races the crew are likely to take part in wasn't rewarded with a medal. The moral victory was ours and the pictures say it all.
SILVER: The 200m distance proved to be just as exciting with the closest finish that could go against us. The results can only show the deficit as one hundredth of a second but we have it on good authority that just 2 pixels differentiated us from the Ukraine, a fingers width with a camera taking a pixel wide image every thousandth of a second. For Ukraine that's what you call being given the finger! It was great to regain a place on the podium, just rewards for the new kids on the block in the Grand Dragons crew and the oldsters stepping up from the senior open.
BRONZE: Now we fancied our chances in the 500m class, stamping our authority on the heat, winning in the fastest time after a solid start and the truest line possible. The swirling wind on the start line was making life difficult for all the crews and it was a lottery for which lane would be able to settle. It wasn't great for GB and Poland secured their lead early in the race and held it with the Czech Republic sneaking through on the inside to push GB out to third. Another session on the podium was the icing on the cake of a very satisfying first outing for the crew, sealing the fate of most of the crew for 2011 and the battle to secure a place in Tampa.
The BNTS Grand Dragons are now actively seeking fresh old blood to join them in training and preparation for the World Championships next year. Watch this space for news of the first training session in October, most likely at Wraysbury Dragons base near J13 of the M25.
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 September 2010 08:00 |
|
|
