| 2003 Season In Review |
| Its that time of the year again! Time to party! Not only that but to also look back on the fine times we've had over the past year and to say goodbye to all the people who are leaving the team for one reason or another. This year has been filled with ups (4 golds) and downs (a dissapointing 6th place at worlds). Our team has learned a lot this year thanks to coach Erik affectionately called E-Rock. But we have also become more of a team then ever before. Our season started with 2 races in Parrsippany, New Jersey against New Jersey Team Dragons. We won both but they were pretty much for fun. It was a good way to get race experience for our rookies. Our next stop was New York City for the Liberty International Dragonboat Festival (run by the open team's Ed Lau) where the team placed a dissapointing 2nd to M.A.D. Then it was back to New York for our rematch against M.A.D. at Flushing Meadows where we didn't dissapoint. Taking the gold in our first ever race at that venue. Then came the big kahuna, the one we were all waiting for.... The Worlds. Although we didn't medal, we had plenty of fun meeting paddlers from around the world including South Africa and Great Britain. (incidently, a paddler from GB will be living with one of our paddlers for a month next year to train and race with the team.) But the highlight of the season had to be the Philly race. We got exactly what we wanted. A rematch against TD Waterhouse from Canada who had beaten us the year before. With the sky opening up, with rain and lightning, we lined up on the starting line. After several failed attempts we were ready to begin. The starting gun went off. It was the closest race we have ever been in. Neck and neck the whole way. It came down to the wire. We just edged out the Philly Police by 2 seats winning the gold and completeing our winning season. Now that all the races and practices are over, I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank Coach Erik for all the time he has taken away from his family to be with us. Also, we say goodbye to our teamates (Christie, Lauren, Christina, and Howard) who we have grown so close to over the past 2 years. Thanks to all who have helped us this year and we hope to see you next year as we prepare for Berlin in 2005!!! Yours in sport, C.P. Youts Rock!!!!!!!!!!! |