The school’s dragon boat team sent a male boat and a mixed boat to participate in the 2021 Anhui College Dragon Boat Open. The male boat scooped three first prizes in 100 m, 200 m and 500 m races, and the mixed boat secured first prize in 100 m race, two second prizes in 200 m and 500 m races. The tournament was launched at Xin’an River, a scenic spot in Huangshan, lasting from October 23rd to 24th.
Dragon boat team members
The competition set open group and mixed group, each of which comprised 12-people straight races of 100 m, 200 m and 500 m races, each consisted two rounds of competition.
In the morning of the first day, the game was light up with all teams showing tremendous passion and efforts in the 100 m race. During the first round, our men’s team continued to take the lead, being the first to cross the finish line. They kept far ahead to win the first place in the second round of 100 m. All team members were so excited that they raised up paddles for congratulations!
The men’s team
In the afternoon, our men’s team showcased in the 500 m straight open race. Although they lagged behind at first, they eventually secured the third place as a result of solidarity and perseverance.
In the face of teams made up of professional water sportsmen from Bozhou College and Hefei Normal University, the men's team went all out and adjusted strategies accordingly. At the very last moment in the second 500 m race, our team narrowly won the second place by 0.12 seconds’ ahead. It’s four years since they last beat the Hefei Normal University.
Fierce competition
The mixed group constituted by new members and girls impressed us with a wonderful debut as well. Although it was the first time they competed together on the same boat, they were awarded the second prize taking account of their overall performances in all six rounds of competitions.
Mixed group members
All efforts paid off. The challenges and difficulties faced by our team did not stop them, whereas pushing them to train harder and devote more time.
Surrounded by green mountains and lucid waters, our school’s dragon team presented with us a high-skill boating and an impressive experience.
(Written by ZHANG Yuxin and TU Bingxin, photo by the dragon boat team, edited by JIANG Pengcen, USTC News Center)
