First strokes in Atlanta
DeAnne Hemmens

April 26
Our first day in Atlanta. Yesterday was a long travel day, but nothing of interest happened.

We unpacked the trailor and got on the water just in time for a huge thunderstorm. A couple of times up and down the course was enough with large waves and gusts of wind--now we're back at the hotel resting before we go to the gym to lift weights. We are lucky enough to be able to use the very nice gym at the local country club for our weight lifting.

One thing that strikes me every time we drive down the small hill that connects the bridge to Lake Lanier and the Olympic course is the feeling I get when we cross the bridge. I look down the 500-meter course and realize in a few short months the most exciting event in my life will be happening. I'm not nervous as I know we are doing the work but it's a feeling of destiny combined with hopes and dreams of a great result. How different it will all look in three months. How different will it all feel in three months!!

April 30
Just 92 days until we race in the Olympic Games. Training is going well. We seem to get different conditions every session. The coach changed some of our workouts to be a little longer and harder. We really aren't going to peak so we can peak higher in August.

Yesterday we watched some of the Canadian Olympic trials. They look to be in top form as they race for some of their final positions.

At last, this course is starting to feel like home. We have been meeting some of the volunteers and officials that will contribute so much to the success of the Games. This race will be a good test for all of them as well.

As the weekend approaches, more and more athletes arrive. The excitement is building more, too. Every time we paddle on the Olympic course we gain valuable experience with the dynamics of the wind and weather. I believe all water is the same--especially for flatwater sprint kayak--but a feel for the hotel-to-course-to-boathouse logistics just makes for a more comfortable feeling when the pressure is on.

May 2
Finally, a perfect day in Atlanta. The sun was out and the wind was gone. We had two great paddles--K4 in the morning with emphasis on our legs and power for the race speeds and a K2 session in the afternoon concentrating on the back of the stroke and stability through the legs on the last 50 meters. We also ran 15 minutes to loosen up and lots of stretching in between. We race in two days.

May 4
K4 race day. The wind was calm. Slight headwind but nothing like the last couple of days. We had a great double warm-up--new for us since this will be our first real race together.

In the start blocks we actually had a false start--Lia leaned in too early in seat three and so we had to back up and really hold it. Two false starts and you are disqualified. The second start was OK, but a little bit labored because of the first start. The race went by quickly and we beat the second-place boat by over three seconds. From my point of view I stroked a little high, but the feeling seemed to be that lower would have had the boat sink--even so, I know we can race a better and more concentrated race. It will be different, however, when we have tough competition next to us.

Nevertheless, today we officially qualified for the Olympics--and what a thrill to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem. Tomorrow is the K2 and final qualifiers for the Pan American countries for the Olympics.

May 5
The K2 race was great. Our goal was to be controlled and concentrate on everything technical. There was a huge headwind so it was perfect to slow down the race and really put power in the whole stroke. We have a slow first 250 meters, but the last 250 meters was consistent and strong, even with the gusty winds. We beat Mexico, which finished second, by 4.5 seconds.

At the end of the day, our Olympic team was named for the nine of the 12 events that the United States qualified for: the team consists of five women, seven kayak men, and one canoe man. Atlanta in July--here we come.

DeAnne Hemmens
Alexandra Harbold
Lia Rousset
Dru van Hengel
Traci Phillips
Michael Harbold
Peter Newton
Stein Jorgensen
Phillipe Boccara
Curt Bader
John Mooney
Mark Hamilton
Jim Terrell