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Piranhas Learn Harsh Lessons at Summer Sensation
Video of Race Confirms the loss of a Three-Seat Lead to Tempest
 
August 7, 2004

The Piranhas finished seventh overall and third in the B-final behind Tempest and a resurgent Jetstart team at Summer Sensation in a day full of ups and downs. GTDBC Senior Mixed "A" , DBW Imperial Dragons, Sudbury Team Chiropractic, and GTDBC Senior Mixed "B" rounded out the A Final, finishing in the order listed above.

Panic amidst poor lane conditions, missing paddlers, and last-minute substitutions from former team members who had not paddled in two months were amongst the challenges faced by the struggling Piranhas. The Piranhas paddled poorly in the poor conditions of lane one and finished third in their first heat, a boat-length behind a team Sudbury Team Chiropractic and the GTDBC Juniors, only finishing ahead of the GTDBC Senior Women. With two starting paddlers not showing up for the first race, Simon Hatch, who was visiting Toronto for the weekend, provided his services to the team without any hesitation after two months of inactivity.

After a furious wake-up call by Coach Rob Chang, the Piranhas, with their 216-pound coach at the drum, were one of the only teams to improve their times in worsening conditions and jumped ahead of the Baycrest Blades to qualify seventh for the B Final. The B-Final involved a TIDBRF Community A Division rematch between Tempest, Baycrest, the Piranhas and a surprising Jetstart team. After Tempest jumped out on the field, the Piranhas, despite looking messy, opened up a three-seat lead at the second last set of buoys. The combination of strong finishes by Tempest and Jetstart, with a poorly executed finish by the Piranhas saw Tempest win by three seats of their own, with Jetstart, the Piranhas and Baycrest following shortly behind in a tight B final.

The team showed signs of promise in the B Final. but there are serious issues to address as the team prepares for its season-end push with events in Port Dover and Toronto's Great White North Challenge.

 

   

© 2004 Jason Au, All Rights Reserved