25

Hey, that's us! Here's a close-up of our photo on p. 8 of the Jiefang Daily morning edition. We're not sure why those chose this shot of us, from well after our race was over--as just noted, there were a lot of pictures taken of us in the other pose--but we suspect it may be because Froi has his shirt off (far right). [Wila, our borrowed steersman from Macau--holding the U.S. flag, Alain (Canadian), Hans, Debbie (originally from Canada), Froi (Canadian); yep, very representative of the U.S. In the background can be seen Brian (cap), me (over Debbie's head in sunglasses), Warren, Pete (behind Froi).]

24

Shanghai race: Here we are with our shiny bronze medals worn proudly around our necks. (When we posed for this shot, every photographer in the place was snapping away like crazy.) [front: Pedro; next: Pete, Dr. Chen, Dee, Phil, David, Justine, Beverly, Bryan; back: Brian, Henry, Debbie, Alain, Saul, Froi, Warren, George, Vince; very back: US flag, tree]

23

Third place, baby! Oh yeah. USA! USA! (Sorry.) Here Wila triumphantly holds up our medals at the closing ceremonies. I believe Seb and Hans were off being interviewed at the time; again, we got more interest from press than the teams that won.

22

Shanghai races: After our heats in the open (mostly all men) division were over we were able to watch the mixed division teams. Here's a shot from one of the bridges over the creek showing our new friends on the Macau team (whom we'd met in Jiaxing) crossing the finish line. Their men's team came in 2nd place in our division. Oh, and how'd we do?

21

Shanghai, Sunday afternoon:
The bus ride across town from the hotel to the race site only took about half an hour. The 800-meter races were timed events held on the Suzhou Creek, which runs right though town. (We marshalled in the lot where the bus parked.) This is the grandstand where the judges and VIPs watched the races, right in front of the finish line (which by our second heat we had determined exactly where that was). There were lots of people watching from the sides of the creek and windows of nearby buildings, and we nearly tired ourselves just waving as we waited for our turn.

20

Shanghai, Sunday morning:
After breakfast we had some free time, and while many others rested, a few of us checked out the neighborhood around the hotel. Saul, George (pictured from behind), David (who ditched us to get a haircut by this point), and I walked past little shops and a communist housing project. The streets were alive with activity. (I guess you kinda had to be there.) Anyway, this is what a non-touristy part of China looks like.