Three Seconds Away

The US Gondola Nationals goes by even faster than a four-man team rowing downwind on Red Bull and espresso.  
It's easy to miss some of the moments that are so worth hanging onto.

Here's the moment when a rower is just three seconds away 
from crossing the finish line.
You take off on a tear, rowing as fast as you can downwind.
Halfway down the river you turn at the buoy and realize that the wind, 
which has been your best friend all along, 
has turned on you - becoming your worst enemy.
You fight, and fight, and fight your way back up the river, 
pass the gazebo, turn at another buoy, 
and plow another fifty yards down river to the finish line.

In the above shot we see John Kerschbaum - host of this year's Nationals on the left, and Matthew "Marcello" Haynes of La Gondola in Providence with the clipboard under his left arm.

Out of the frame is the man who brought us such a remarkable timekeeping system - Bill Simpson of the Stillwater Ski Team.
Out on the boat is Tim Reinard of Sunset Gondola, who ended up rowing the Solo Distance event during the most sever period of wind.

OF course after crossing the finish line, some guys stay standing, while others assume various positions ranging from sitting down, 
to collapsing on the floor in a heap.

But that's a story for another post.