HT race 2009

One more stroke and were there!

The HT is the biggest rowrace in the Netherlands, the fastest boats finishing within 3 hours and the slowest boats taking almost twice as long. It takes the 130 participating boats on a 30km journey from Harlingen to Terschelling one of the wadden islands.

The morning of the race is always chaotic with over 1000 rowers waiting for the gunshot which signals the start. The hours before the start always revolve around eating as many bananas, mueslibars, or other yucky sportsbars as I can (which is difficult because of my nerves), standing in huge lines for a pee (nerves again) and waiting. Getting out of the harbour is not easy, with the wind and waves trying to push you back. After an hour or so my nerves always calm down and the race gets better.

This year was a difficult race with waves comming from the front and a large ship bumping into us, also it was the first year in this team for me. But all things considered we did a great job. (3rd in the women's overall results)

Some more HT photos.