Each team adopts its preferred
boat packing and transport
solutions before and after
regattas.
A big concern of competing in Beijing is the
blend of heat and humidity that is expected
in August. Panuska says the Czech team
is dealing with it by arriving just six days
before competition begins. “In our opinion
it is enough (time) for acclimatisation. We
try to stay there as little time as possible,”
says Panuska who also talks of mental
planning, a good regime of drinking, cooling
vests and suitable clothes.
the time zone change. Parfitt believes parts of
Canada are hot enough in the summer that
athletes will be well-prepared for the Chinese
heat. The team will work hard on minimising
exposure and will have specific post-race
cooling methods, adds Parfitt.
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Similarly the Dutch team are limiting their
time in Beijing by arriving one week before the
rowing begins and doing their acclimatising
for two-and-a-half weeks in Chuncheon,
Korea, before flying to China. The Dutch are
also planning acclimatisation back in the
Netherlands – their Olympic Committee
has developed a climate chamber allowing
athletes to train under the same climate
circumstances as in Beijing. Bakker says they
will bring cooling jackets to Beijing.
If there was one thing they could take with
them, Parfitt would take someone who
could speak Mandarin fluently. “Being able
to communicate effectively and having a
good relationship with those who you will be
interacting with will be critical to successful
operations,” says Parfitt. Bakker plans to be
more compact by taking a Chinese dictionary.
Pagitsas is going to take her trusty printer so
that she can spread news and updates to the
team while Panuska is going to pack plenty
of optimism and a good mood.
I am sure everything will be ready,” says
Panuska, “and we will see a very good
organisation.” ■ M.S.B.
Canada plans to arrive at the last possible
minute with just enough time to get used to
