Olympics Diary from Kate Johnson (Part 5)
8/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Rowing, Olympics
University of Michigan women's rowing alumna Kate Johnson (1998-2001) is a member of the United States women's eight boat which will compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece. Johnson is providing periodic updates on her trip.
WE SET A WORLD RECORD! In rowing we don't really call them world records because they really aren't the same thing as in swimming. There are too many variables in rowing for there to be a world record but there is something called the world's best time which we do all of our workouts after. The previous fastest time for a women's eight was in 1999 in Lucern, Switzerland set by the Romanian women with a 5:57.02. Today we rowed in a screaming cross tailwind to win by 0.22 seconds over Romania in a 5:56.55. Let's just say if we hadn't pulled a world's best time we would have been third.
Our heat had the notorious heavy hitters. We knew Romania would give us a race and we were ready. With a screaming first 500 meters we had a length and slowly Romania worked their way back into our lead. They drew even with only strokes to go and we surged out again in the last three to win by two-tenths of a second. Let's just say it was really close. It was a great race because we won, because we set a world's best time, but also because we know that we have a better race in us.
Romania made it very clear how they will attack and we are ready. They'll have to come up with a different strategy for the final because we're ready for what they did today. We're ready for anything. I have so much confidence in my crew. It's been 20 years since the U.S. women have won a medal let alone Olympic gold.
We're throwing everything we have at this and for you back home watching all of your cheers and screams are working! After the race, outside of the athlete area I found a happy Johnson crowd. Three of my best friends from college and high school made the trip as well as my aunt, uncle, and of course Haley, Mike, Mom and Dad. I love you all and wish you were here. Have fun watching this week! Our men are kicking butt as well, also winning their heat, beating an undefeated Canada and setting a world's best time as well!
