::WORLDS 2010...::
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 
The best part about our sport, from my seat at least, is the camaraderie. Pictured above in the foregound is my great friend Anders Gustafsson moments after he became Weltmeister in the K1 500m, I finished 3rd about 0.5seconds back. I'm smiling not because I snagged a medal, I'm smilling because after 12 years on the international kayak scene, Anders gets to say he is the best in the world, and I'm proud of him. I didn't have my best races this past week (though the 500m final was really good) yet I walk away from the event satisfied in a sense beyond the scope of my own accomplishments and missteps. I'm stoked for my friends internationale who raced so well, particularly the Men's Kayak team de France; Sebastien Jouve, Arnaud Hybois, Etienne Hubert and Philippe Colin... felicitations! Max Hoff once again proved he's the man to chase in the 1000m, Tim Brabants showed he's still got guts galore, and Aleh Yurenia represented the 1990's well winning his first World Medal, adding Belarus to the countries to watch in K1. Anders showed us all how to finish a 500, and Kenny Wallace taught the 5k field a thing or two on the long distance course... It's a privilege to just be on the water with guys like these. Their kindness, grace and sportsmanship shone when I got off the water feeling like crap after failing to qualify for the 1000m final. It was remarkable how a few words of kindness, a few genuine handshakes and hugs, and a couple reminders that it happens to the best of us from guys who have been there and know what it's like helped me bounce back a bit. We sit in these skinny boats all by ourselves in a selfish pursuit of glory and triumph, but we're all cut from the same cloth, united in our quest for perfect strokes, fast times and the chance to hear our National Anthems on the loudspeaker. Congratulations all, and thanks for the inspiration! See you on the water...
