First
time for me it was in 1996. Well, I just did the same race, but
clearly I didnt race for olympic t shirt. Though there were three
places for K1w to go, I simply havent even think about it. My sister
did.
It was
my first year racing czech national cup. Ceske Budejovice. Maybe
mid April, maybe little bit later.
I
remember how I went to warm up to start. And the start was up there,
where the course begins, not where is now, in the middle just above
the walking bridge. Walking in the snow. And more snow was falling
down. Than wind came. I couldnt see the first gate from start pool.
Yet it was qualification for summer olympic games.
And
than I saw somebody
running up to the start and girls started to got out of the boats.
I was
still waiting in the start gate. Not knowing whats going on. My
sister yelled at me: „come on, get out, lets go run to get warmer!
they interrupted race, judges cant see the
gates!“
So
we were running there
and back
around the start pool.
Still in paddling gear. In our neoprene shoes. Nobody told us whats
going on, whether they
are going to postpone
it of just interrupt or what.
Snow
storm was gone after 20 minutes. So why delay the race more, if the
judges can see clearly...
I dont
remember how I raced. I just remember how glad I was that my sister
was there and despite the running, how cold I was.
She
didn`t
make the olympic team and I think she retired that year or maybe year
later.
There
are going to be two selection races again in Ceske Budejovice.
Again
mid April. Though
the course is brand new, by Scott Shipley`s
concept.
I
hope it won`t
snow again.