Our first Rio experience!
Written by Hannah Diamond | 28 July 2014
‘It’s not normally like this here’ seems to be a trend in venues that we have visited recently.
Fortunately I’ve learnt enough that wherever in the world you go, you have to be prepared for anything and everything! We have been greeted with mild temperatures and plenty of rain here in Rio but the forecast has promised to brighten up and hopefully bring a little bit of wind!
This is my first time here in Rio and also the first time Ben and I have been part of a smaller multi-class team at a Test Event. No matter how much research you do into a venue, there is no substitute for spending time there and learning the lie of the land so it is very exciting to be able to experience Rio two years out from the Olympic Games. We are used to looking after our own logistics and organisation in the lead up to the event so to be part of a team where most of the planning is done on our behalf has been amazing and taken away a huge amount of stress!
There is definitely a different feel to this trip, most of the team travelled on the same flight and we are running similar programmes in the lead up to racing even though some of the classes start on different days. Yesterday we had a team day out to visit some of the sights of Rio and to experience some of what it is like here. Although it was great fun, there was also a serious aspect of allowing everyone to get their bearings in this huge city.
The first stop was Corcovado, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer is, the clouds cleared just enough for us to note where Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay are. We then went to take a closer look at the race areas by taking the cable car up Sugarloaf, but unfortunately the visibility was so poor that all we could see were a few monkeys in the trees! A good excuse for another trip up there I think!
After lunch at the venue for the Rowing at the Olympics (pictured) we headed out to visit the Olympic Village, it is quite a drive away from the sailing venue but it was great to see the progress that is being made there! The evening’s entertainment was a trip to the Maracaná Stadium, which hosted the World Cup Final earlier this month and will also host both the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. We were treated to a local derby football match and with tens of thousands of passionate fans, the noise was incredible and gave us a taste of what the atmosphere will hopefully be like at the Olympics!
For now, it’s back to work, getting used to the conditions on the water in this incredible and unique venue. I’m sure there will be plenty of challenges but we are very excited to get going and make sure we are ready to race next Monday.