Saturday, June 6, 2009

Chime in about Vogalonga!

It's occurred to me that there may be some folks out there cursing me for not writing more this week and wishing there were something new popping up on this blog more frequently that once every few days.
So I've decided to give you an opportunity to have both:
First - I renew my invitation to you to begin any comment you write here with "Hey Greg, you're a jackass". Don't go any further down the R-rated road than that because my kids read this, and besides, I don't need them learning any new words to use on me in the future.
Second - I'm inviting you to chime in on the subject of Vogalonga.
I'll get a more complete report from the Venetian experts next week, along with a copy of the paper from the day after.
But by now I'm guessing some of you have already heard things, and indeed a few of you were there to experience it first hand.
I'd like to thank Tamas for his comments already.
Sometimes I'll throw something up wonder how the commentors will respond, or if anybody will comment at all.
Tell us what you know, what your opinions are of the day, the race, and how it was handled by both rowers and race officials.
Some I've talked to have expressed their displeasure over the fact that there was no contingency plan for weather and sea related challenges.
Others say "tough luck, suck-it-up and deal with it".
What's your take?
If possible, please identify yourself when you comment; otherwise, some folks might not take your words seriously.
Hurl your best at me!

6 comments:

DG Beat said...

YouTube has some gnarly footage of people floating next to their capsized vessels. I hope you didn't have to deal with that sort of challenge.

Tamas Feher from Hungary said...

John: I think only foreign visitors in "backwards row" boats capsized this year. Venetian lagoon boats are built to tolerate such harsh weather and "voga veneta" rowers face where they go, so they can prepare for big waves or sudden wind.

Otherwise, Greg's club boat was the size of an articulated bus, so not much danger of shipwreck. Yet many rowers aboard that ark had a tense expression on their faces, so the event was worrying even for them.

Bepi Venexiano said...

Greg, Grazie mille.
John, it was quite a day. Over a glass of wine I will tell you about my solo trip from Mestre to Venice (waves rolling over the bow of my mascaretta) and Greg will tell you of his adventures with Bepi Penzo, and Megan from Boston. Thanks to Greg and the GSVVM. It was the best trip EVER.

grigory-never-get-there said...

Greg, jackass you're not, I can only imagine that Venice has provided you with enough fodder to fill your journal pages for the next couple of months and then some. Congratulations on your "experience", and I anxiously await some photographs from my favorite gondolaphile.

Tamas Feher from Hungary said...

I just learned that Greg Mohr was NOT on the big "Mestrina" galley this Vogalonga, he was in a smaller 4-person boat. My mistake!

Anonymous said...

A batch of photos from a participant, in a nice sandolo-like boat:

http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=1074463