Busy, Busy, Busy
02/22/2009
Only 37 days till we leave for Australia and only 56 days till we begin our crossing of the Indian Ocean. I have begun what I now refer to as my, I am going to row 3,100 nautical miles in under 50 days ortho visits and medical care at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in preparation. Getting prescriptions to take care of the specific problems I could have out there which don’t include Sea Sickness TG. I have to worry more about UTI and pressure sores and stuff like that. Because I can’t feel my feet I can do some real damage. During the Atlantic I took off my brace and Franck said to me I was going to become one of his people, meaning, Amputee. My feet were mess. I did not have to cut off any of my toes rather I cut the shoe open so it could get air and dry out and take the antibiotics and it healed nicely. We have a med kit onboard but I always bring my own additions specific to my needs. I had to taper down the training as I was beginning to have some overuse issues. Since my double mastectomy for breast cancer in 2000 I hadn’t had any problems but started having problems when I was in Beijing so My doctor ordered some tests and they found some masses, so they ordered some more tests and a mammogram which I have not had to have in years because I had no breast tissue left. Turns out I regenerated breast tissue and now have to have mammos every 6months. I had to go to my cancer doc who looked at all the test results, examined me and told me the pain problems and masses are from scar tissue and over use issues. Sweet! Cancer free and good to go! I just had to knock off the inclined bench press and a few other exercises.
There have been many changes to the crew. Lost a couple of people to injuries and picked up a couple of new ones. Deb has updated all the information on PirateRow.com
The website is currently being updated on a regular basis with new information.
Time is going by so quickly and I am feeling a bit uneasy. That is not something I felt before the Atlantic crossing. Perhaps it is because of all of the changes so close to go time. Perhaps it is because I have had so much to do with the medical appointments, board meetings with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, special events and speaking engagements, organizing ocean rowing safety seminars, and trying to prepare the Rowoflife boat for the seminar and the fact that my calendar is so packed up until go day that I don’t know how I will manage it all. I always seem to manage everything well enough but I also tend to push it to the limits as well in everything I do. So far I don’t know where the limits are and have been successful at going from event to event. My life is like a marathon at times. I asked Deb what we were going to do when I stop rowing and we don’t have anything to do, like that will ever happen. Not the rowing because I may not always be rowing. It’s all the other things. Filling every minute of time during the day with something has become a life style for us. Neither one of us would know what to do if we had FREE TIME. I always say “If I sit still Rigermortise will set in”
So it is always full speed ahead.
Yesterday we entertained out of town guests Michelle Mc Candless and her friend Connie They are from Philadelphia. When I went to Philly to train for the Paralympics and had to live in my van (a sad but true story) after two weeks in my van I met Michelle and she offered me a place to stay. She is out here vacationing. Excited to be so close to Hollywood and the possibility of meeting a television personality I called my Friend Izetta Karp and invited her to breakfast. Izzeta’s Character is Will Smiths Grandma on Fresh Prince of Bel Air. We spent all day chatting it up. We wore Izzetta out and she was unable to go to the Laugh Factory with us.
The Laugh Factory on Pine Avenue in Long Beach did about 5 minutes live onstage acknowledging Rowoflife and Piraterow. I may do some events there in the future. It was a blast.
We will also have an upcoming fundraising event at the Chili’s Restaurant on March 18.
The count down has begun. The blogs will come more frequently from this point forward.
Angela Madsen
PirateRow.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Get Ready! Here We Go Again!
Get Ready! here we go again. Boat name and website under consideration, suggestions welcomed
Current mood: adventurous
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angela Madsen, Paraplegic woman who rowed across the Atlantic, joins 8 person crew in effort to break multiple records while attempting to row across the Indian Ocean.
Woodvale Challenge Ocean Rowing will be launching an 8 person crew to attempt a speed record. The crew of 8 will begin at the same time and location as the other boats in the Indian Ocean 2009 race and finish at the same location in much less time than it takes the other racers setting one of multiple records.
Speed record across the Indian Ocean.
No 8 man crew has ever rowed any ocean
Angela will be the first woman to have completed the Indian Ocean row (providing she gets there first and is the only female in the crew of 8)
Angela will be the First Paraplegic and woman with a disability to have ever rowed across the Indian Ocean and the first to Paraplegic and woman with a disability to have rowed across 2 oceans
Angela captured the title for first Paraplegic and woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic in the 2007 race completing the row in 66 days 23 hours and 24 minutes with Amputee French rowing partner Franck Festor. Website http://www.rowoflife.net
At present there are only 2 individuals who are considered to have completed an entire crossing of the Indian Ocean, Anders Svedlund said to have crossed in 64 days back in 1971 and Simon Chalk who crossed in 107 days in 2003, so the gauntlet has been set and the getting the record is achievable.
The Route:
Geraldton, Western Australia – Port St Louis, Mauritius 3,100 nautical miles
The Date:
The start is scheduled for the 19th April 2009 in order to coincide with the start of the first ever ocean rowing race across the Indian Ocean the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.
CONTACT: Angela at msparasurfer@aol.com 562-434-8334
Debbie at debmole@sbcglobal.net 661-363-3864
Blogging at www.debmole.blogspot.com
More about the Indian Ocean Race 2009
The first ever ocean rowing race in the Southern Hemisphere has captured peoples imaginations around the World.
The race starts in Geraldton, Western Australia and forms part of a week of maritime celebrations. The local fishing fleet will escort the rowing boats away from the coastline and past a reef system some 60 miles off shore. The route will take teams over 3000 nautical miles across the Indian Ocean to the paradise island of Mauritius.
Teams from all over the World will compete on equal terms in solo, pair and four person teams. The start of the race is planned for April 2009 to miss the cyclone season that ends in between February and March. Fours teams should complete the crossing in around 60 days and pairs should be completed in around 80 days.
As ocean rowing races have proven in the past - the speed of crossing could increase dramatically as soon as teams are pitched in race classes against each other.
The weather won't be the same as the constant trade conditions of the mid-Atlantic. Teams will have to row every mile with a lower amount of support from both wind and currents. The temperatures will be high - especially close to Australia but then should cool as the race unfolds.
There is far less shipping in the Indian Ocean than in the Atlantic. There is less pollution and the wildlife is simply out of this World! Sharks, whales and dolphins will be common sight. Birdlife is ever present, shoals of fish will follow the boats, and the night time sky will be breathtaking.
The Indian Ocean Rowing Race will be the adventure of a lifetime.
More about Angela Madsen
Angela had back surgery in September 1993 to correct an injury she suffered while on duty in the military. The botched surgery, however, resulted in incorrect bone grafts and disabling injuries when a drill or screw pierced her spinal cord.
"One doctor told me my physical condition was a waste of human life. I decided to prove him, and everyone who thinks like him, wrong by making my life anything but a waste," Madsen said.
Since the spinal cord injury, Madsen has undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer, and more surgery for carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve problems. She has also been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, but medication has kept it under control.
Angela has since gone on to compete in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, has competed in wheelchair basketball leagues, surfed in the Women's World Championships of Longboard surfing in Biarritz France and become an expert rower, specializing in adaptive rowing techniques -- those used by people who are differently abled.
Angela has gone on to become founder and director of California Adaptive Rowing Programs, a USRowing level III rowing coach and has been a member of the U.S. National Adaptive Rowing Team Member since 2002 Rowing in this years Paralympics in Beijing China.
Those interested in donating to Angela's quest can send donations to CARP
California Adaptive Rowing Program, 3350 E. Seventh St.,
231 Long Beach, Calif. 90804.
Donations should include the words "Ocean Rowing Project"
in the memo box of the check. Donations are tax
deductible.
or PayPal is available at the website www.rowoflife.net.
CONTACT: Sports editors and other reporters may contact
Angela Madsen for interviews by e-mailing
Msparasurfer@aol.com or by calling (562) 434-8334.
Current mood: adventurous
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angela Madsen, Paraplegic woman who rowed across the Atlantic, joins 8 person crew in effort to break multiple records while attempting to row across the Indian Ocean.
Woodvale Challenge Ocean Rowing will be launching an 8 person crew to attempt a speed record. The crew of 8 will begin at the same time and location as the other boats in the Indian Ocean 2009 race and finish at the same location in much less time than it takes the other racers setting one of multiple records.
Speed record across the Indian Ocean.
No 8 man crew has ever rowed any ocean
Angela will be the first woman to have completed the Indian Ocean row (providing she gets there first and is the only female in the crew of 8)
Angela will be the First Paraplegic and woman with a disability to have ever rowed across the Indian Ocean and the first to Paraplegic and woman with a disability to have rowed across 2 oceans
Angela captured the title for first Paraplegic and woman with a disability to row across the Atlantic in the 2007 race completing the row in 66 days 23 hours and 24 minutes with Amputee French rowing partner Franck Festor. Website http://www.rowoflife.net
At present there are only 2 individuals who are considered to have completed an entire crossing of the Indian Ocean, Anders Svedlund said to have crossed in 64 days back in 1971 and Simon Chalk who crossed in 107 days in 2003, so the gauntlet has been set and the getting the record is achievable.
The Route:
Geraldton, Western Australia – Port St Louis, Mauritius 3,100 nautical miles
The Date:
The start is scheduled for the 19th April 2009 in order to coincide with the start of the first ever ocean rowing race across the Indian Ocean the Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009.
CONTACT: Angela at msparasurfer@aol.com 562-434-8334
Debbie at debmole@sbcglobal.net 661-363-3864
Blogging at www.debmole.blogspot.com
More about the Indian Ocean Race 2009
The first ever ocean rowing race in the Southern Hemisphere has captured peoples imaginations around the World.
The race starts in Geraldton, Western Australia and forms part of a week of maritime celebrations. The local fishing fleet will escort the rowing boats away from the coastline and past a reef system some 60 miles off shore. The route will take teams over 3000 nautical miles across the Indian Ocean to the paradise island of Mauritius.
Teams from all over the World will compete on equal terms in solo, pair and four person teams. The start of the race is planned for April 2009 to miss the cyclone season that ends in between February and March. Fours teams should complete the crossing in around 60 days and pairs should be completed in around 80 days.
As ocean rowing races have proven in the past - the speed of crossing could increase dramatically as soon as teams are pitched in race classes against each other.
The weather won't be the same as the constant trade conditions of the mid-Atlantic. Teams will have to row every mile with a lower amount of support from both wind and currents. The temperatures will be high - especially close to Australia but then should cool as the race unfolds.
There is far less shipping in the Indian Ocean than in the Atlantic. There is less pollution and the wildlife is simply out of this World! Sharks, whales and dolphins will be common sight. Birdlife is ever present, shoals of fish will follow the boats, and the night time sky will be breathtaking.
The Indian Ocean Rowing Race will be the adventure of a lifetime.
More about Angela Madsen
Angela had back surgery in September 1993 to correct an injury she suffered while on duty in the military. The botched surgery, however, resulted in incorrect bone grafts and disabling injuries when a drill or screw pierced her spinal cord.
"One doctor told me my physical condition was a waste of human life. I decided to prove him, and everyone who thinks like him, wrong by making my life anything but a waste," Madsen said.
Since the spinal cord injury, Madsen has undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer, and more surgery for carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve problems. She has also been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, but medication has kept it under control.
Angela has since gone on to compete in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, has competed in wheelchair basketball leagues, surfed in the Women's World Championships of Longboard surfing in Biarritz France and become an expert rower, specializing in adaptive rowing techniques -- those used by people who are differently abled.
Angela has gone on to become founder and director of California Adaptive Rowing Programs, a USRowing level III rowing coach and has been a member of the U.S. National Adaptive Rowing Team Member since 2002 Rowing in this years Paralympics in Beijing China.
Those interested in donating to Angela's quest can send donations to CARP
California Adaptive Rowing Program, 3350 E. Seventh St.,
231 Long Beach, Calif. 90804.
Donations should include the words "Ocean Rowing Project"
in the memo box of the check. Donations are tax
deductible.
or PayPal is available at the website www.rowoflife.net.
CONTACT: Sports editors and other reporters may contact
Angela Madsen for interviews by e-mailing
Msparasurfer@aol.com or by calling (562) 434-8334.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Veteran's Day Parade 2008, Long Beach, CA
Angela was an Honorary Grand Marshall of the Long Beach Veteran's Parade. After the parade the RowofLife Boat was on display at Houghton Park. It was a huge honor for Angela and she had an enjoyable day. Martha Thuente was our contact person and did a wonderful job communicating with us and making sure everything was fabulous. Dan Pressburg was all decked out in Patriotic attire and looked smashing.
At the park after the parade, the kids and adults alike had a great time climbing on the boat and chatting with Angela. Elijah, a Boy Scout from Roosevelt Elementary, marched in the parade and then came over to climb on the boat (well after a stop at the bouncing toys- of course). His parents were glowing at his parade performance.
We were able to talk to lots of people about CARP and may have even picked up a volunteer or two. Check out the slide show.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Questions and Answers by Angela
Questions and Answers by Angela
09/13/08
Rowing Classification question: I thought they would have separated by classes like in basketball?
We do have separation by classes however there are only three classifications for the sport of adaptive rowing. The physical differences for functional ability in the sport within those three are huge.
Adaptive rowing is a relatively new sport at the elite international level so the lines of classification shift to accommodate more people to help the sport grow plus
with only 4 events where do you draw the lines? Currently we have
W1X arms only women's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
M1X arms only men's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
TA2X trunk and arms mixed gender double scull (uses body swing, abdominal and back muscles)
LTA 4+ leg trunk and arms mixed gender, sliding seat, sweep rowing. The + is the coxswain or person in the boat who steers and verbally instructs the four people who are physically rowing the boat. The coxswain does not have a disability.
The 1X and 2X sculls are fixed seat for people who can't use their legs. In sculling each individual rower has both a port and starboard oar.
In 4+sweep rowing each rower has one oar and is either a port or a starboard. It is also referred to as crew.
As you can see there are only 3 classifications and 4 rowing events. We actually need more of both for fair competitions. I speculate at this point that if we had more of both, countries and coaches would just flood the events with more minimal disabled athletes just to win the medals leaving behind those that the sport/event was designed for. Until the lines of classification are etched in stone rather than being drawn in the sand, this is what I see happening.
I understand the need to accommodate to bring more athletes into the sport. So accommodate away with additional events and classifications! Now it is time to move on to the next level. I understand how we got where we are and its relationship to where we need to go in the future. Like most competitive athletes, I would prefer to compete against equals and similar levels of ability and to push myself harder than to have it be the other way around. I want to earn it! I think most athletes would agree. Personally, I want to do well because I have worked and trained hard not because I have a physical advantage in classification. I don't want to race against people who cannot place pressure on the foot plates nor do I want to race against those who can push on foot plates in the fixed seat boat. It is an all out 1000 meter sprint and winning can be determined by as little as a tenth of a second. Classification plays a big part and is sometimes referred to by our athletes as our first competition. There will be a significant difference between no pressure on the footplates, withstanding pressure and static load on footplates and actually pushing on footplates in all of the fixed seat categories. This is more evident in the single boat than the double because the two people in the double have differences. 2 people in a double who can push on the footplates will be faster than a boat where only one can push and one can just place pressure of static load. People in the sport who can place no pressure or bear no static load will be eliminated and have no opportunity to compete at the elite level of this sport. The addition of new straps to try and limit movement will only limit movement and will not inhibit the bodies neuromuscular response to static load.
As a retiring athlete it is no longer an issue that effects me however to continue as a coach, I too will have to seek out minimum disability athletes for elite competitive opportunities in the sport. We will all have to go for the highest level in classification and push to extend the lines of classification if we want to win medals. This is the growth of Adaptive rowing as I have witnessed it and experienced it since our first World Championships in 2002. This is what will be required of me as a coach and an adaptive program director. Maybe its the military training and not leaving anyone behind attitude that makes all this so difficult for me. I want to provide the opportunity to all levels of ability and not be part of the problem or responsible for taking those opportunities away from anyone based on the classification system. It is time to expand and change would probably require rattling some cages or making some waves. Some may not be happy with where they are when the lines are drawn and balance is achieved.
Where would you be if we were to expand events and classifications If you were not retiring? I would have loved to have rowed in a TA 1X against the other women rather than a double. With the rods in my back and doctors orders of no more TA rowing, I could go arms only legitimately but I would love to enter an LTA W1X with my braces on. I already tried to move up to LTA trying out for the 4+ but the rods in my back prevented me from achieving the body angle for sweep rowing. They also would not allow me to wear my orthodics in the boat. Without my braces my feet drop and turn sideways or pray. As soon as static load is applied my knees are out and I am on the sides of my feet which could cause injury if there is enough pressure. It was a good experience as a coach, I learned a great deal and realized that as much as I don't like to admit it, I am too physically limited by my disability to sweep row in a crew boat. In a single, matching doesn't matter, in sculling the torso does not rotate and I may get half slide if I can keep my braces on. I think I can and I prefer to try and move up rather than down in classification. Going against other women arms only rowers with my size, reach and strength would just not feel right to me. No offense meant to any women's single arms only rowers out there.
Are you retiring from the sport completely? it depends. Can I make a difference? or will I just have to go with the flow to stay in the game. I am more of a make waves type person and not much for going with the flow, unless the flow is headed towards a common goal and doesn't challenge me morally, ethically and spiritually. Some may think, we are here and this is it. Don't change a thing. Don,t make waves, be complacent and happy with where you are. I am not so sure I could go with the flow if that is where we are truly at in adaptive rowing. I could only agree that being where we are now and what we have been able to achieve is great ( If we were complacent we wouldn't be here). I also believe we are just getting started and there is a lot more that needs to be done.
My ambition would involve change. Adding more classifications and more events and to define and defend the lines of classification to ensure equal opportunity and fair play. This is not something I can do by myself and requires cooperation and effort from everyone involved in the sport. From the athletes and coaches to the international governing body of our sport. If adaptive rowing is going to be sedentary then I don't see the point in offering a continued commitment to its developement.
I made a commitment in 1998 to help develop the sport, a commitment in 2002 to my national adaptive rowing team and to my rowing partner to see this sport and him through the 2008 Paralympics. Its been a wonderful experience with many ups and downs. Having fulfilled my commitment to the best of my abilities. I am now free to move on. I am now available and can now continue to assist in the advancement of the sport of adaptive rowing at another level having all of the experiences of an elite athlete, an adaptive rowing program founder and director and a level III coach or (jokingly) I could retire completely from the sport of adaptive rowing and take up Frisbee golf.
I just love Q&A got any more for me?
keep the questions coming,
Angela
09/13/08
Rowing Classification question: I thought they would have separated by classes like in basketball?
We do have separation by classes however there are only three classifications for the sport of adaptive rowing. The physical differences for functional ability in the sport within those three are huge.
Adaptive rowing is a relatively new sport at the elite international level so the lines of classification shift to accommodate more people to help the sport grow plus
with only 4 events where do you draw the lines? Currently we have
W1X arms only women's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
M1X arms only men's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
TA2X trunk and arms mixed gender double scull (uses body swing, abdominal and back muscles)
LTA 4+ leg trunk and arms mixed gender, sliding seat, sweep rowing. The + is the coxswain or person in the boat who steers and verbally instructs the four people who are physically rowing the boat. The coxswain does not have a disability.
The 1X and 2X sculls are fixed seat for people who can't use their legs. In sculling each individual rower has both a port and starboard oar.
In 4+sweep rowing each rower has one oar and is either a port or a starboard. It is also referred to as crew.
As you can see there are only 3 classifications and 4 rowing events. We actually need more of both for fair competitions. I speculate at this point that if we had more of both, countries and coaches would just flood the events with more minimal disabled athletes just to win the medals leaving behind those that the sport/event was designed for. Until the lines of classification are etched in stone rather than being drawn in the sand, this is what I see happening.
I understand the need to accommodate to bring more athletes into the sport. So accommodate away with additional events and classifications! Now it is time to move on to the next level. I understand how we got where we are and its relationship to where we need to go in the future. Like most competitive athletes, I would prefer to compete against equals and similar levels of ability and to push myself harder than to have it be the other way around. I want to earn it! I think most athletes would agree. Personally, I want to do well because I have worked and trained hard not because I have a physical advantage in classification. I don't want to race against people who cannot place pressure on the foot plates nor do I want to race against those who can push on foot plates in the fixed seat boat. It is an all out 1000 meter sprint and winning can be determined by as little as a tenth of a second. Classification plays a big part and is sometimes referred to by our athletes as our first competition. There will be a significant difference between no pressure on the footplates, withstanding pressure and static load on footplates and actually pushing on footplates in all of the fixed seat categories. This is more evident in the single boat than the double because the two people in the double have differences. 2 people in a double who can push on the footplates will be faster than a boat where only one can push and one can just place pressure of static load. People in the sport who can place no pressure or bear no static load will be eliminated and have no opportunity to compete at the elite level of this sport. The addition of new straps to try and limit movement will only limit movement and will not inhibit the bodies neuromuscular response to static load.
As a retiring athlete it is no longer an issue that effects me however to continue as a coach, I too will have to seek out minimum disability athletes for elite competitive opportunities in the sport. We will all have to go for the highest level in classification and push to extend the lines of classification if we want to win medals. This is the growth of Adaptive rowing as I have witnessed it and experienced it since our first World Championships in 2002. This is what will be required of me as a coach and an adaptive program director. Maybe its the military training and not leaving anyone behind attitude that makes all this so difficult for me. I want to provide the opportunity to all levels of ability and not be part of the problem or responsible for taking those opportunities away from anyone based on the classification system. It is time to expand and change would probably require rattling some cages or making some waves. Some may not be happy with where they are when the lines are drawn and balance is achieved.
Where would you be if we were to expand events and classifications If you were not retiring? I would have loved to have rowed in a TA 1X against the other women rather than a double. With the rods in my back and doctors orders of no more TA rowing, I could go arms only legitimately but I would love to enter an LTA W1X with my braces on. I already tried to move up to LTA trying out for the 4+ but the rods in my back prevented me from achieving the body angle for sweep rowing. They also would not allow me to wear my orthodics in the boat. Without my braces my feet drop and turn sideways or pray. As soon as static load is applied my knees are out and I am on the sides of my feet which could cause injury if there is enough pressure. It was a good experience as a coach, I learned a great deal and realized that as much as I don't like to admit it, I am too physically limited by my disability to sweep row in a crew boat. In a single, matching doesn't matter, in sculling the torso does not rotate and I may get half slide if I can keep my braces on. I think I can and I prefer to try and move up rather than down in classification. Going against other women arms only rowers with my size, reach and strength would just not feel right to me. No offense meant to any women's single arms only rowers out there.
Are you retiring from the sport completely? it depends. Can I make a difference? or will I just have to go with the flow to stay in the game. I am more of a make waves type person and not much for going with the flow, unless the flow is headed towards a common goal and doesn't challenge me morally, ethically and spiritually. Some may think, we are here and this is it. Don't change a thing. Don,t make waves, be complacent and happy with where you are. I am not so sure I could go with the flow if that is where we are truly at in adaptive rowing. I could only agree that being where we are now and what we have been able to achieve is great ( If we were complacent we wouldn't be here). I also believe we are just getting started and there is a lot more that needs to be done.
My ambition would involve change. Adding more classifications and more events and to define and defend the lines of classification to ensure equal opportunity and fair play. This is not something I can do by myself and requires cooperation and effort from everyone involved in the sport. From the athletes and coaches to the international governing body of our sport. If adaptive rowing is going to be sedentary then I don't see the point in offering a continued commitment to its developement.
I made a commitment in 1998 to help develop the sport, a commitment in 2002 to my national adaptive rowing team and to my rowing partner to see this sport and him through the 2008 Paralympics. Its been a wonderful experience with many ups and downs. Having fulfilled my commitment to the best of my abilities. I am now free to move on. I am now available and can now continue to assist in the advancement of the sport of adaptive rowing at another level having all of the experiences of an elite athlete, an adaptive rowing program founder and director and a level III coach or (jokingly) I could retire completely from the sport of adaptive rowing and take up Frisbee golf.
I just love Q&A got any more for me?
keep the questions coming,
Angela
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Rowing Race Results-Day One 9/9/08
Rowing Race Results-Day One
09/09/2008
Well…..Madsen and Brown came in 4th in their heat. Their split time was good at 2:10 but their final time of 4:29 was slower than they had been rowing in Philly. I have not actually seen the race as it was not broadcast by anyone providing coverage to the US. Have I mentioned the I love World Rowing http://www.worldrowing.com/index.php?pageid=17 They were very quick to get the results up and have the race schedule up for tomorrow as well. They were also the only rowing website to give RowofLife coverage. US Rowing only gave coverage of the non US competitors in the Atlantic Rowing Race, go figure.
So, what does all this mean……Angela and Scott (William Scott) are in lane 2 in the first TA2x race tomorrow at 16:20 Beijing Time (1:20am pacific time Wed morn). In their race are Canada, Australia, UK, and Israel. The first 2 boats go to Final A and the 3rd boat goes to Final B and the others go home.
Other team notes……Ron Harvey came in 4th in his race, Laura Schwanger came in 1st in her race and has earned a place in the finals!, and the US LTA Coxed 4 came in 3rd.
Apparently www.universalsports.com has highlights of the games. I am watching the latest, but it is only from the morning and all I have seen so far is swimming, lots of swimming. Maybe later we will get a little rowing.
Debbie
09/09/2008
Well…..Madsen and Brown came in 4th in their heat. Their split time was good at 2:10 but their final time of 4:29 was slower than they had been rowing in Philly. I have not actually seen the race as it was not broadcast by anyone providing coverage to the US. Have I mentioned the I love World Rowing http://www.worldrowing.com/index.php?pageid=17 They were very quick to get the results up and have the race schedule up for tomorrow as well. They were also the only rowing website to give RowofLife coverage. US Rowing only gave coverage of the non US competitors in the Atlantic Rowing Race, go figure.
So, what does all this mean……Angela and Scott (William Scott) are in lane 2 in the first TA2x race tomorrow at 16:20 Beijing Time (1:20am pacific time Wed morn). In their race are Canada, Australia, UK, and Israel. The first 2 boats go to Final A and the 3rd boat goes to Final B and the others go home.
Other team notes……Ron Harvey came in 4th in his race, Laura Schwanger came in 1st in her race and has earned a place in the finals!, and the US LTA Coxed 4 came in 3rd.
Apparently www.universalsports.com has highlights of the games. I am watching the latest, but it is only from the morning and all I have seen so far is swimming, lots of swimming. Maybe later we will get a little rowing.
Debbie
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Beijing Update 9/7/08 by Deb
Beijing Update by Debbie
09/07/08
Just a little update. It does not look like the rowing is going to be televised in this country, even on the web. The two places that are broadcasting on the web are http://www.paralympicsport.tv/ and http://www.universalsports.com/ . The Universal sports site has events you can see on demand, after the fact, along with some as they are being shown. The opening ceremonies can be seen on Universal Sports as an on demand feature. I watched the Opening Ceremonies live on Parasport.tv. BBC announcers commentated the coverage. When the US team walked by they cut to the crowd to show fans waving flags rather than showing the athletes. I was saddened. I was able to pick Scott Brown out of the wheelchair athletes, but not Angela. She told me that she is just in front of Scott. I am going to watch the replay on Universal Sports to see if I can see more of the athletes. I started and did note that the commentary appears to be done by US commentators. I am hoping that their video coverage will be more athlete focused.
The Rowing events will start at midnight (Pacific Standard Time) Monday night/Tuesday morning for 3 nights. The Rowing finals will be starting at midnight (PST) Wednesday night/Thursday morning. I am now looking for coverage in a foreign country. The BBC is broadcasting, but only in the UK. I will probably tune into Paralympic Sport TV and hope they broadcast. I am going to shoot them some emails and hope for the best.
Angela is doing well. The rooms are nice. The cafeteria is open 24 hours. They have physical therapy staff that is providing daily massages. She has wireless internet in her room and has been able to communicate with me on Skype. Angela looks on Skype hoping to find friends on that she can call. You can find her on Skype by searching by her email address, msparasurfer@aol.com . You can also email her. After she rows, she plans to start going to other events. She looks forward to seeing some of her friends play wheelchair basketball. The team is coming home on the 19th of September.
Angela is sending me the daily news for the US Paralympics’ team. You can look at it by looking at the following link http://www.usocpressbox.org/
09/07/08
Just a little update. It does not look like the rowing is going to be televised in this country, even on the web. The two places that are broadcasting on the web are http://www.paralympicsport.tv/ and http://www.universalsports.com/ . The Universal sports site has events you can see on demand, after the fact, along with some as they are being shown. The opening ceremonies can be seen on Universal Sports as an on demand feature. I watched the Opening Ceremonies live on Parasport.tv. BBC announcers commentated the coverage. When the US team walked by they cut to the crowd to show fans waving flags rather than showing the athletes. I was saddened. I was able to pick Scott Brown out of the wheelchair athletes, but not Angela. She told me that she is just in front of Scott. I am going to watch the replay on Universal Sports to see if I can see more of the athletes. I started and did note that the commentary appears to be done by US commentators. I am hoping that their video coverage will be more athlete focused.
The Rowing events will start at midnight (Pacific Standard Time) Monday night/Tuesday morning for 3 nights. The Rowing finals will be starting at midnight (PST) Wednesday night/Thursday morning. I am now looking for coverage in a foreign country. The BBC is broadcasting, but only in the UK. I will probably tune into Paralympic Sport TV and hope they broadcast. I am going to shoot them some emails and hope for the best.
Angela is doing well. The rooms are nice. The cafeteria is open 24 hours. They have physical therapy staff that is providing daily massages. She has wireless internet in her room and has been able to communicate with me on Skype. Angela looks on Skype hoping to find friends on that she can call. You can find her on Skype by searching by her email address, msparasurfer@aol.com . You can also email her. After she rows, she plans to start going to other events. She looks forward to seeing some of her friends play wheelchair basketball. The team is coming home on the 19th of September.
Angela is sending me the daily news for the US Paralympics’ team. You can look at it by looking at the following link http://www.usocpressbox.org/
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Arrival in Beijing by Angela Madsen
Angela Madsen (USA TA2x) and Ron Harvey (USA AM1x)
Rowing venue in Beijing
The rowing venue is awesome! It felt really good to be on the water for the first time yesterday. The new boat feels good. Focusing on training, racing and keeping it very together with my rowing partner and coach. Staying hydrated and cool. It is hot and humid here much like Philadelphia so I am pretty well acclimated and my time in Philly is paying off. I am not allowing myself to get stressed out or worked up over anything. I am visualizing surfing for mental stress management, in fact I am wearing my Wheels to Water surfing rash guard and board shorts as I sit here returning e-mails, writing and listening to Superchick and Casting Crowns.
It is a much different atmosphere than our World Championships. We are integrated with our regular National Rowing Team at Worlds so there are more rowing events,more boats and many more people. The rowing venue is very quiet by comparison and we do miss our National Rowing Team. Congratulations to all of our Olympians! Go USA! On the other hand, in this experience we are housed with our national Paralympic Team. We all go to our sport specific venues during the day and socialize a bit over meals at the cafeteria and in the Paralympic Village with all the worlds Paralympians. We are meeting some really cool athletes and everyone has interesting stories, non that I can share "blogging restrictions"
With all of the blogging restrictions it is difficult to have anything to write about. Athletes have to take care not to violate the rules so many have decided not to blog at all. I on the other hand will just try and stay within the guidelines so I will apologize in advance for lack of content in pictures and in text. It was stated in our briefing that the rules and restrictions apply until 3 days post closing ceremonies and I am permitted to inform everyone that these rules are in effect.
It is a long bus ride to the venue every day but our practices are in the afternoon so no need to rise early and rush. We went to the shops yesterday and I did most all of my shopping. I always make gift bags for my three granddaughters. Amanda 13, Angel 7 and Cheyenne 5. I like to get my shopping done right away as many others do also but it was not super crowded. It is most likely because everything is efficiently managed here. Nothing feels crowded and everything is relaxed.
As other athletes are arriving the atmosphere is still very relaxed. I can't imagine it staying that way for long as opening ceremonies and the beginning of competition are just around the corner. Time goes by quickly here and today I finally got a wireless Internet signal where yesterday there was none. Excellent example of what can happen when effort is made in spite of previous negative results "never give up!'
Oars up!
Angela
It is a much different atmosphere than our World Championships. We are integrated with our regular National Rowing Team at Worlds so there are more rowing events,more boats and many more people. The rowing venue is very quiet by comparison and we do miss our National Rowing Team. Congratulations to all of our Olympians! Go USA! On the other hand, in this experience we are housed with our national Paralympic Team. We all go to our sport specific venues during the day and socialize a bit over meals at the cafeteria and in the Paralympic Village with all the worlds Paralympians. We are meeting some really cool athletes and everyone has interesting stories, non that I can share "blogging restrictions"
With all of the blogging restrictions it is difficult to have anything to write about. Athletes have to take care not to violate the rules so many have decided not to blog at all. I on the other hand will just try and stay within the guidelines so I will apologize in advance for lack of content in pictures and in text. It was stated in our briefing that the rules and restrictions apply until 3 days post closing ceremonies and I am permitted to inform everyone that these rules are in effect.
It is a long bus ride to the venue every day but our practices are in the afternoon so no need to rise early and rush. We went to the shops yesterday and I did most all of my shopping. I always make gift bags for my three granddaughters. Amanda 13, Angel 7 and Cheyenne 5. I like to get my shopping done right away as many others do also but it was not super crowded. It is most likely because everything is efficiently managed here. Nothing feels crowded and everything is relaxed.
As other athletes are arriving the atmosphere is still very relaxed. I can't imagine it staying that way for long as opening ceremonies and the beginning of competition are just around the corner. Time goes by quickly here and today I finally got a wireless Internet signal where yesterday there was none. Excellent example of what can happen when effort is made in spite of previous negative results "never give up!'
Oars up!
Angela
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