Hi ,

It's like a baton change at OR Tambo International.

The Junior and U23 sprint team returned from Portugal, just in time to hand over to the team going to the Olympic Hopes regatta in the Czech Republic last week, as well as the SUP team that went to the World Championships in Hungary. 

These two teams have handed over to the senior sprint team who have also headed to Copenhagen for the World Senior sprint championships. Not to worry if the baton is dropped. The marathon team heading to Romania will be able to pick it up at the end of next week.

Managing this many teams is challenging at the best of times. Throw in the covid curve ball and it becomes a nightmare.

One member, of the 52 strong team from Lithuania, tested positive at the Olympics Hope regatta. The entire team was sent home.

We have around 45 team members (national team, masters, and supporters) travelling to Romania. How stressful is it going to be, waiting for those results?

Our 15 strong team that went to the Olympic Hopes regatta in the Czech Republic will hopefully form a nucleus around which we can build towards Paris and beyond.

With continental qualification being allowed now, our sprinters have a massive carrot to chase.

If you get a few spare minutes over the next couple of days, do yourself a favour and have a quick gander at the live streaming of the world sprint championships (just go to YouTube and search). Especially on Sunday afternoon, when they have the 5000m races.

Squeezed into all of this international travel, we have gone about our local business and hosted our national K1 river championships.

The Standard Bank Liebenbervsvlei marathon hosted the K1 championships. The cream rose to the top, yet again, with Hank winning another national title, to add to his 70 or so that he already has. Clint Cook holding off a challenge from Wayne Jacobs to clinch the silver medal, about 2 minutes back.

Christie Mackenzie putting a couple of boat lengths between herself and Jenna Nisbet to ensure the gold around her neck.

Entries have opened for the Lowveld Croc on the 23rd of October. The Fish would have been done and dusted by then, and you will be looking for another challenge.

Every year I sing the same song. For me, the Lowveld is the best river race in the country. There are no hectically big rapids, but there are a lot of them. Your rudder gets a really good workout.

So, while you are still planning the remainder of your year, pencil it in. You will certainly not be disappointed.

Thank the pope for level 2. With the vaccination rate like it is, we should get back to a sense of normality in time for the next Olympics.

Spare a thought for those Kiwi's. They haven't even got out of the starting blocks yet.

That’s all for this week.

Your SG

Copper

1111

And the joke:

An Umhlanga Rocks senior citizen drove his brand new Porsche convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the M4, he pushed it to 120 kph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left. “Amazing,” he thought as he flew down the road, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a local metro policeman, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 140 mph, then 160, then 180. Suddenly he thought, “What am I doing? I’m too old for this!” and pulled over to await the policeman's arrival.

Pulling in behind him, the policeman got out of his vehicle and walked up to the Porsche. He looked at his watch, then said, “Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a new reason for speeding – a reason I’ve never before heard – I’ll let you go..”

The old gentleman paused then said, “Three years ago, my wife ran off with a metro policeman. I thought you were bringing her back.”

“Have a good day, Sir,” replied the cop.