Comments on: Going for gold: the Olympic diary of rower James Chapman (Part VIII) http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:00:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54935 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:08:05 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54935 Hugh, The Europeans may be in hotter, more humid training centres at the moment, but they have to deal with changing their body clocks when they fly to China, which we don't have to being only 2 hours ahead of Beijing here on the east coast. The Europeans aren't really used to that since the World Champs are mostly in Europe. We're much more adaptable from that perspective. Scientifically, the body has to adapt when there is a drastic change in climate. I don't know if it will make a difference, but we're preparing for it in case it does. I'd rather prepare for the worst case scenario and be able to deal with it, rather than hoping that the weather isn't that extreme. We Australians are also pretty well trained at preparing and racing in pretty harsh conditions, such as Penrith and Canberra. I think we'll cope, especially since we're preparing for it. Hugh,
The Europeans may be in hotter, more humid training centres at the moment, but they have to deal with changing their body clocks when they fly to China, which we don’t have to being only 2 hours ahead of Beijing here on the east coast. The Europeans aren’t really used to that since the World Champs are mostly in Europe. We’re much more adaptable from that perspective.
Scientifically, the body has to adapt when there is a drastic change in climate. I don’t know if it will make a difference, but we’re preparing for it in case it does. I’d rather prepare for the worst case scenario and be able to deal with it, rather than hoping that the weather isn’t that extreme.
We Australians are also pretty well trained at preparing and racing in pretty harsh conditions, such as Penrith and Canberra. I think we’ll cope, especially since we’re preparing for it.

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54933 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:01:42 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54933 MC!!! Thanks for the note mate. Hope you and the family are all well. Stay in touch! We'll keep giving it all for our country. You know how long I've been working for this chance. MC!!!

Thanks for the note mate. Hope you and the family are all well. Stay in touch!

We’ll keep giving it all for our country. You know how long I’ve been working for this chance.

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54931 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:59:25 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54931 Ben, I don't know what the other guys in the crew were saying. I wasn't there with them when they discussed their perspective with their family and friends. Mine was well rehearsed because I told my story many times and I think I it became more streamlined the more times I told it. I just became more efficient at giving my take on things. The race in Munich was a great race for the crew. I was in the boat 24hours before the race in Munich and was hit quickly with a bad virus, so I know how well the boat was moving in the lead up to that race. I was also straight back in the boat at our first session in Varese after the Munich racing. I don't think the crew change was a disruption at all. We still raced well in the heats in Luzern, beating Great Britain. We discussed all the racing, Munich and Luzern, we're a really close, tight group and are open about our feedback and thoughts on all the racing. I get a good feel for how the race went in Munich with all our analysis, coaching, video and my experience racing. Our crew know when the boats going well and that's becoming more identifiable the more high quality training sessions we're doing up here in Qld. Our goals for the Olympics are to have the best performance we can possibly have as a crew at the time we're required to peak. The uniform is an exciting part of the Olympic experience, apparently. I probably won't be wearing the tracksuit much given the expected climate in China. Ben,
I don’t know what the other guys in the crew were saying. I wasn’t there with them when they discussed their perspective with their family and friends. Mine was well rehearsed because I told my story many times and I think I it became more streamlined the more times I told it. I just became more efficient at giving my take on things.
The race in Munich was a great race for the crew. I was in the boat 24hours before the race in Munich and was hit quickly with a bad virus, so I know how well the boat was moving in the lead up to that race. I was also straight back in the boat at our first session in Varese after the Munich racing. I don’t think the crew change was a disruption at all. We still raced well in the heats in Luzern, beating Great Britain. We discussed all the racing, Munich and Luzern, we’re a really close, tight group and are open about our feedback and thoughts on all the racing. I get a good feel for how the race went in Munich with all our analysis, coaching, video and my experience racing.
Our crew know when the boats going well and that’s becoming more identifiable the more high quality training sessions we’re doing up here in Qld.
Our goals for the Olympics are to have the best performance we can possibly have as a crew at the time we’re required to peak.
The uniform is an exciting part of the Olympic experience, apparently. I probably won’t be wearing the tracksuit much given the expected climate in China.

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54928 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:44:51 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54928 JA, My take on the Luzern race was in one of my previous articles. You may, or may not be aware, that I wasn't in the boat at Munich. Rowing, and sport, continually throw up challenging races and new results. We cannot control the performance of the British and Chinese crews, but the crew didn't race anywhere near as well in Luzern as it did in Munich. I think we have addressed the issues and are learning from them. JA,

My take on the Luzern race was in one of my previous articles. You may, or may not be aware, that I wasn’t in the boat at Munich. Rowing, and sport, continually throw up challenging races and new results. We cannot control the performance of the British and Chinese crews, but the crew didn’t race anywhere near as well in Luzern as it did in Munich. I think we have addressed the issues and are learning from them.

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54921 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:40:08 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54921 Sweet wife...you are so sweet! More sliced oranges at half time please...or at least some cheerleading outfits for your husband's fris team. Sweet wife…you are so sweet! More sliced oranges at half time please…or at least some cheerleading outfits for your husband’s fris team.

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-2/#comment-54920 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:38:51 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54920 Volks, Great to hear from you again. As you may have read in the next entry, we've started our efforts to adapt our body to more hot and humid conditions, cause it isn't hot enough in the Sunshine State, but we're doing all that we can. But the jump from Qld weather to Beijing weather isn't as great as the jump from sqwalling, nine degrees temps in Canberra. We believe we can improve too. We wouldn't be lining up to represent our country if we didn't. The boys in the four were mostly relieved I think. I reckon I would have been the same. They'll be training really hard in their camp at Penrith and I'm looking forward to catching up with them next week when we leave Qld and join the rest of the team in Penrith. The three fours didn't get a chacne to train with each other at this point. We were on different programs because of their racing in Poland. Looking forward to catching up with Scotty in Penrith too...I've gotta return his book to him...always the provider of a good read the Great Scott! Volks,

Great to hear from you again. As you may have read in the next entry, we’ve started our efforts to adapt our body to more hot and humid conditions, cause it isn’t hot enough in the Sunshine State, but we’re doing all that we can. But the jump from Qld weather to Beijing weather isn’t as great as the jump from sqwalling, nine degrees temps in Canberra.
We believe we can improve too. We wouldn’t be lining up to represent our country if we didn’t. The boys in the four were mostly relieved I think. I reckon I would have been the same. They’ll be training really hard in their camp at Penrith and I’m looking forward to catching up with them next week when we leave Qld and join the rest of the team in Penrith.
The three fours didn’t get a chacne to train with each other at this point. We were on different programs because of their racing in Poland.
Looking forward to catching up with Scotty in Penrith too…I’ve gotta return his book to him…always the provider of a good read the Great Scott!

]]> By: James Chapman http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-54915 James Chapman Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:32:10 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-54915 Lats, Thanks for the notes. Now I know. Now I understand, if only a little bit, how much it sucks being a lightweight. Maximum Respect! Stay in touch! Lats,

Thanks for the notes. Now I know. Now I understand, if only a little bit, how much it sucks being a lightweight. Maximum Respect!

Stay in touch!

]]> By: hugh http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-53160 hugh Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:33:41 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-53160 hey chappo, two things... hows queensland? and do you think european countries will have the advantage of acclimitisation because of their ease of transition from a warm place to a warm place... sounds confusing but simply, queensland isnt as warm as europe... i think... do you have any opinion on whether it will make a difference hey chappo, two things…

hows queensland? and do you think european countries will have the advantage of acclimitisation because of their ease of transition from a warm place to a warm place… sounds confusing but simply, queensland isnt as warm as europe… i think… do you have any opinion on whether it will make a difference

]]> By: MC Hammer http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-52972 MC Hammer Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:05:17 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-52972 Chappo, Congratulations on making the team!!! You sense of humour has not changed. Train hard (how unusual) and you, along with the others on the eight, will go well. We will all be watching closely to see how it goes. MC Chappo,
Congratulations on making the team!!! You sense of humour has not changed. Train hard (how unusual) and you, along with the others on the eight, will go well. We will all be watching closely to see how it goes.
MC

]]> By: Martin http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51531 Martin Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:31:53 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51531 Great to see you in Sydney mate. Excellent articles, and good for those of us that aren't as good at picking up the phone. you're doing us all proud. Keep up the superb work and focus. BB Great to see you in Sydney mate. Excellent articles, and good for those of us that aren’t as good at picking up the phone. you’re doing us all proud. Keep up the superb work and focus.
BB

]]> By: Ben http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51495 Ben Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:38:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51495 Chapo, You mentioned that you had the answer well rehearsed about the way the crew rowed in Lucerne. What were the other guys in the crew saying? I am sure it must be hard for you when you didn't row in Munich and then did row in Lucerne to know the difference between each race. Do you think that the crew change between regattas was a disruption? What are your goals for the olympics? You must be pretty excited about getting that tracksuit. Chapo,

You mentioned that you had the answer well rehearsed about the way the crew rowed in Lucerne. What were the other guys in the crew saying? I am sure it must be hard for you when you didn’t row in Munich and then did row in Lucerne to know the difference between each race.

Do you think that the crew change between regattas was a disruption?

What are your goals for the olympics? You must be pretty excited about getting that tracksuit.

]]> By: JA http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51449 JA Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:03:43 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51449 Hey Chappo Thanks for the updates. You write "The constant probing really forces you to intensely analyse your performance" what do you think went so wrong at Lucerne? The eight won at Munich, convincingly beating the UK and China, these crews then beat you more convincingly in Lucerne. What was so different at Munich? Hey Chappo

Thanks for the updates.

You write “The constant probing really forces you to intensely analyse your performance” what do you think went so wrong at Lucerne? The eight won at Munich, convincingly beating the UK and China, these crews then beat you more convincingly in Lucerne.

What was so different at Munich?

]]> By: sweet wife http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51332 sweet wife Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:55:04 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51332 Go team WAGS! Go team WAGS!

]]> By: Volks http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51140 Volks Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:29:23 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51140 Chappo, Great stuff with the updates. I've been to Beijing in September and it's still stinking hot then. How will you guys acclimatise? Even Maroochydore at this time of year is pretty mild compared to what you will get. The best thing about coming 4th is you can still improve. The guys in the four must be stoked about their performance in Poland. Do the three fours train with each other? At least you aren't down here in mid-winter Tassie with the scullers, Scotty Brennan must enjoy seeing his mainland counterparts suffer. Looking forward to seeing some great racing in August - pain is temporary, gold is forever! Chappo,

Great stuff with the updates. I’ve been to Beijing in September and it’s still stinking hot then. How will you guys acclimatise? Even Maroochydore at this time of year is pretty mild compared to what you will get.
The best thing about coming 4th is you can still improve. The guys in the four must be stoked about their performance in Poland. Do the three fours train with each other?
At least you aren’t down here in mid-winter Tassie with the scullers, Scotty Brennan must enjoy seeing his mainland counterparts suffer.
Looking forward to seeing some great racing in August – pain is temporary, gold is forever!

]]> By: sheek http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51110 sheek Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:24:36 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51110 Chappo, Greatly admire what you're doing. Just happy for the team to do its best. Had me all the way until you said, "Carn the Blues".....no way! Chappo,

Greatly admire what you’re doing. Just happy for the team to do its best.

Had me all the way until you said, “Carn the Blues”…..no way!

]]> By: Lats http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/06/30/going-for-gold-the-olympic-diary-of-rower-james-chapman-part-viii/comment-page-1/#comment-51036 Lats Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:45:09 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=7797#comment-51036 Chappo, Am loving reading the updates! Enjoy the sunshine after the cold Canberra weather and when your acclimatising, think of all those lightweights you laughed at when they've been heading out for a sweat row! Train well over the coming weeks and enjoy the lead up. Lats Chappo,
Am loving reading the updates!
Enjoy the sunshine after the cold Canberra weather and when your acclimatising, think of all those lightweights you laughed at when they’ve been heading out for a sweat row!
Train well over the coming weeks and enjoy the lead up.
Lats

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