Thun - Opening ceremony

(I wrote this on Tuesday morning - but only just got round to posting it!) 

We had our last team training session yesterday, although for us ladies we have another 2 days before we are competing (Thursday).

Last night we attended one of the best opening ceremonies I have been to (and I’ve attended a lot!), mainly because it started just about on time (no sitting around in the heat waiting for something to happen), it was relatively short, the speeches weren’t translated into several languages (and were also fairly short) and the ‘entertainment’ provided (in the form of street dancing and a competition ‘song’) was actually quite entertaining.

The street dancers (local, Swiss youngsters) were great, but unfortunately either the stage wasn’t big enough or the routines were too big and therefore they performed on the floor making it difficult for the majority of us to see.

The announcement a few days previously that there would be a ‘competition song’ brought back uncomfortable memories of the ‘ro-ro-rodeo’ composition performed in Graz by one man and his slightly wobbly keyboard… we awaited a repeat performance, what we got was a little different (to say the least) – Rush Sturges performed and composed a hip-hop/techno rap (I’m not sure that’s the right terminology) about competing in freestyle in Switzerland (relevant!) – it was very good!

We had a great team meal on Monday night, against the back drop of the lake and mountains – thanks to the Laytons and the other parents for preparing the feast! 

GB team float boat ladies: 

A handful of the GB team 'men': !