Dragon Boat West

Here we go - the big one.  Who's going to win?  Looks like a slightly weaker field this year, w/o San Diego, Alcan Success, Tacoma, Kai, Dragon Warriors, etc. and a weak Alpha.  After purging FODB from my crystal ball, here's what I see:


Mixed:
1. Gorging Dragons - best team right now
2. FCRCC - will make it close
3. Portland - the Gemini will hurt them
4. PR - best of the rest
5. Pemberton - will surprise
6. Subaru - improving quickly
7. Success - too young
8. Wasabi - Gemini strikes again

Open:
1. FCRCC
2. Victoria
3. Portland
4. the rest

Women:
1. FCRCC
2. Victoria
3. Wasabi
4. the rest

2K Race:
1. FCRCC
2. Portland
3. Victoria
4. PR
5. Laoyam

predictions, predictions, predictions.. is this all that we're going to discuss for every upcoming race?   I'm sorry, but making predictions and side notes about teams (as to why you think they're going to be in that position) at every possible opportunity is really getting quite stale.  

From every known sport that includes some sort of championship elimination tree, some "expert" always seems to put in their .02cents as to who they think is going to win/lose and why.   You know what?   Who cares?   How many of these "predictions" ever come through?  

Let the teams be, and let the chips fall as they may come race day.   Part of why we do this is to have fun and be in a positive social atmosphere.   Not one where we sit back and make comments/critiques about what we think about other teams.

Every team has tried their best to get to where they are now.   Let it be.

Imposter just likes to take digs at the Fodb team, don't pay him any attention Zeph.  Snide comments like his are awesome though, makes the team train and race much harder.

It's a little bit like if you see a team strutting around on the dock without thier shirts on, showing off.  It makes you want to beat their team just that much more.


So, onto the 'predictions', the Comp divisions look as tough as ever to me.  Why is it whenever people see 1 or 2 teams going a little backwards, or disappearing, they declare the competition weaker?  It's not the first time I've heard it this year either.  It's the nature of competition, some go forward, others have a bad festival and go backwards.

Look at Pacific Reach, Gorging and Subaru.  In fact, they have nowhere to go but up i.m.o.  If you get to race them consider yourself lucky.  Especially something like the Comp A final.  Man, you go to school right then and there.

I don't know how much Portland mixed has raced in BuK type boats, but I'm willing to bet they will adapt very easily.  Of all the teams, they looked the most disciplined, it wasn't a surprise to me they won it last year.  But who knows, they do look like a very tall team.

Roli Dragons are on the pace, they'll be up there somewhere too.  I'm rooting for the Laoyam Eagles, I want to see them make the top 3.  I'll be watching Gorging particularly, it'll be interesting to see what their WCCC preparations have done for their team.

But with all this, It's hard not to see FCRCC, P.Reach, Gorging & Portland crowding each other for the top 3 positions though.

LOL zeph, you sound mad that he dissed FODB...lol....i actually like the predictions cause if your name appears it kinda shows the respect that other people give you...

well whatever happens on the weekend, it will be a fun one....i'm not gonna take a stab at any predictions, but from what i've read, i don't really disagree with any of them because everyone knows who the top teams are.....

from the FODB point of view, i just want to prove imposter wrong.....1 bad regatta doesn't mean nothing....alcan is the big bash and everyone's intensity and adrenaline steps up 10 x .....

Imposter ranked FODB to come first in the ADBF Regatta and when they come 6th out of 24 in the morning session, he drops them to below 8th out of 151 team for Alcan.  I seriously don't see what all this fuss is about. Or did the word "purging" offend people? You guys seriously need to develop thicker skin...  Predictions are harmless unless you have a fragile ego...

My new tea leaves say Gorging, Pac Reach, Portland, FCRCC, Echo, Success, Subaru, Pemberton, Roli and FODB will take top ten.. I'd like to see Gorging take it... only because I want to see their hard work and dedication come through. Of course does that mean I'm going to let up when I race them, or any "competitive" team for that matter? Hell no... That's the whole point of sports.. you respect your opponents but not enough to roll over for them.

Gee Zeph, if you find predictions tiring, I would suggest you don't enter a thread called 'Alcan Festival Predictions'...    

Regarding FODB, if my remarks are what it takes for you to race to your potential, then that's great.  I'm actually a big supporter of your team and hope you get in the A final.  We need some of the younger teams to make the leap to the next level - lets see if next weekend you can do it.

Imposter: seriously, I didn't care about where you had placed our team.   I was just getting sick of "predictions" on the whole.   Besides, I think it's safe to say right now that if you were to check my previous posts, I would qualify as a $hit disturber.   So, it's really not you.   I guess I just like "stirring the pot", sometimes.. most of the times.. when the opportunity arises..

yeah,


I have no comment at this time.

I believe they are getting out of their incubation chambers just about now.  Didn't you know?  The Doc clones them from the DNA of past Olympians and World Champions.