Tellico Heat: One Team, Two Boats

Sandi’s Soldier’s 1 and Sandi’s Solidier’s 2 Compete in Johnson City

Tellico Heat proudly made its debut at the Johnson City Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, and it was an unforgettable experience. Teams competed in a total of three races each, with the final round determining the top three finishers who were awarded a wooden paddle for first, second, and third place. The day started with ideal weather for racing.  Kathy Watson, demonstrated outstanding talent as steerer for both of Tellico Heat’s first two heats. The competition was intense, throughout the day.  Tellico Heat’s paddlers showcased incredible determination and sportsmanship, proving that age is just a number. Tellico Heat’s two boats:  Sandi’s Soldiers 1 and Sandi’s Soldiers 2, charged through three heats over a 200-meter course. There were a total of seventeen boats that competed in the festival. Tellico Heat’s two boats did not race in the same heat all day, but instead were competing for best times for each race. The final heat of the day ended in raindrops, but did not deter the paddlers. Coaches’ debrief was, however, held in the rain, but Dragon Boating is  a water sport, so we did not mind.

HEAT 1

Sandi’s Soldiers 2 opened the event with a remarkable winning time of 58.789 in their first qualifying heat, followed closely by Sandi’s Soldiers 1, who clocked an impressive winning time of  57.158 in their qualifying heat. The BWXT Rapid Response Team mesmerized spectators with a blistering time of 52.767, the fastest time for the heat, and as it turned out for the day.

HEAT 2

Coaches inspired the teams with strategic reminders, and Sandi’s Soldiers 2, captained by Dee and Denise, delivered a thrilling second-round finish at 57.101. Sandi’s Soldiers 1, coached by Cat and Kevin, then set a new team record, finishing with a time of 55.703 in their second heat.

FINAL ROUND (Heat 3)

As the day progressed, the sun broke through the clouds, creating a warm atmosphere for the final race. In the final heat of the day which  SS1 was competing, The Hard Hat Warriors pushed through for a dramatic finish at 52.947, but Rapid Response clinched the win with a time of 52.794-definately, a photo finish! (0.153 seconds separated the top two teams) In that concluding heat, Tellico Heat’s Sandi’s Soldiers 1 came in 3rd  in the heat with a time of 57.092, which ranked them 5th in the final round (fourth over all when averaging times). While Sandi’s Soldiers 2, who competed in the next to last heat of the day,  finished with a strong 6th place in the final round at 58.399. Two other teams, Stroke Protocol (55.805) and Hard Rock Casino- Rhythm N Row (56.684) would finish ahead of Tellico Heat for third and fourth place.

FINAL ROUND RANKINGS:

Overall Average of Three Heats

Tellico Heat came in 4th and 5th overall when averaging times from all three heats (not used to determine winning ranks):

Sandi’s Soldiers #1 Average Time was 56.651 (4th)

Sandi’s Solidiers #2 Average Time was 57.295 (5th)

Be sure to catch the video highlights for Coach Kevin’s insights on the day’s events. Ultimately, every team member delivered their best, reveling in the excitement of racing and camaraderie, and in true Tellico Heat fashion, we extended our support to another team, Green Meadows Cleaning Services – Sprayin & Stayin) in need of paddlers.

Tellico Heat: One Team, Two Boats

Sandi’s Soldier’s 1 and Sandi’s Solidier’s 2 Compete in Johnson City

Tellico Heat proudly made its debut at the Johnson City Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, and it was an unforgettable experience. Teams competed in a total of three races each, with the final round determining the top three finishers who were awarded a wooden paddle for first, second, and third place. The day started with ideal weather for racing.  Kathy Watson, demonstrated outstanding talent as steerer for both of Tellico Heat’s first two heats. The competition was intense, throughout the day.  Tellico Heat’s paddlers showcased incredible determination and sportsmanship, proving that age is just a number. Tellico Heat’s two boats:  Sandi’s Soldiers 1 and Sandi’s Soldiers 2, charged through three heats over a 200-meter course. There were a total of seventeen boats that competed in the festival. Tellico Heat’s two boats did not race in the same heat all day, but instead were competing for best times for each race. The final heat of the day ended in raindrops, but did not deter the paddlers. Coaches’ debrief was, however, held in the rain, but Dragon Boating is  a water sport, so we did not mind.

HEAT 1

Sandi’s Soldiers 2 opened the event with a remarkable winning time of 58.789 in their first qualifying heat, followed closely by Sandi’s Soldiers 1, who clocked an impressive winning time of  57.158 in their qualifying heat. The BWXT Rapid Response Team mesmerized spectators with a blistering time of 52.767, the fastest time for the heat, and as it turned out for the day.

HEAT 2

Coaches inspired the teams with strategic reminders, and Sandi’s Soldiers 2, captained by Dee and Denise, delivered a thrilling second-round finish at 57.101. Sandi’s Soldiers 1, coached by Cat and Kevin, then set a new team record, finishing with a time of 55.703 in their second heat.

FINAL ROUND (Heat 3)

As the day progressed, the sun broke through the clouds, creating a warm atmosphere for the final race. In the final heat of the day which  SS1 was competing, The Hard Hat Warriors pushed through for a dramatic finish at 52.947, but Rapid Response clinched the win with a time of 52.794-definately, a photo finish! (0.153 seconds separated the top two teams) In that concluding heat, Tellico Heat’s Sandi’s Soldiers 1 came in 3rd  in the heat with a time of 57.092, which ranked them 5th in the final round (fourth over all when averaging times). While Sandi’s Soldiers 2, who competed in the next to last heat of the day,  finished with a strong 6th place in the final round at 58.399. Two other teams, Stroke Protocol (55.805) and Hard Rock Casino- Rhythm N Row (56.684) would finish ahead of Tellico Heat for third and fourth place.

FINAL ROUND RANKINGS:

Overall Average of Three Heats

Tellico Heat came in 4th and 5th overall when averaging times from all three heats (not used to determine winning ranks):

Sandi’s Soldiers #1 Average Time was 56.651 (4th)

Sandi’s Solidiers #2 Average Time was 57.295 (5th)

Be sure to catch the video highlights for Coach Kevin’s insights on the day’s events. Ultimately, every team member delivered their best, reveling in the excitement of racing and camaraderie, and in true Tellico Heat fashion, we extended our support to another team, Green Meadows Cleaning Services – Sprayin & Stayin) in need of paddlers.