There was a general retardation in the speed of the boats on the Sea Forest Waterway during the second day of rowing regatta in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Uganda’s first-ever rower at the Olympics Grace Kathleen Noble boldly attested to it having recorded a timing of 8:21:85 during the first heats of the race on the opening day in the single scull event.
On day two she returned the timing of 8:36:01 in the third repechage category during the race won by 24-year-old Milena Venega Cancio from Cuba who posted a timing of 8:17:30.
Among the factors that slow down rowers on the lake include big waves and heavy winds.
Kathleen hinted at the stronger winds during the second day than on the opening day.
“The waves were not bad today the wind was stronger and came in an unfavorable direction,” she noted.
The impact of winds on boats is so much felt because in most cases, it slows down the movement.
“When the wind is blowing sideways or pushing you from behind it slows you down. On the reverse, if it is blowing in the same direction that you are rowing it will speed you up,” she added.
Kathleen was relegated to the E/F semifinals which take place on Sunday morning alongside the quarterfinals across all the events.
Besides the single scull, the crews are also competing in the double scull event, coxless pair, double sculls, Lwt double sculls, coxless four, quadruple sculls, and the eight.
Kathleen has two coaches; Iqbal Ahsan (based in the United States of America) and Rodrick Muhumuza, from Uganda.
Her next target on Sunday is to further improve the timing for a respectable position.
Congregation’s for the Ugandan rower. This is better as for the first time in participation