NEWS - PINK CHAMPAGNE DRAGON BOAT RACING TEAM

Great excitement - on Sunday 24th August we fired our first paddle in anger!!

We awakened to wind and rain, and I for one, didn't believe we would be racing in Weymouth Bay in 3 hours time, and was quite prepared to meet up with the others for lunch and a chat, but how wrong I was.

We could see the sky lightnening as we approached our destination, and by the time we arrived, the sun was shining. We set up camp with a lovely banner anouncing our name, and a huge helium Champagne Bottle flanked by large pink stars. Then came the serious matter of the competition itself. There were 15 teams, and each heat consisted of 3 boats, and what boats they were (eat your heart out Rockley!).

We didn't exactly come first, or even second in any of our heats, but to us it felt as if we'd won the Olympics! On our last run in, a load of other competitors ran down to the shore, made an arch, and clapped us up the beach - it was really quite emotional, but just so rewarding after all our hard work.

Coming last didn't deter Mary from saying "we'll have to get a trophy cabinet", to which we all laughed and told her she was getting just a bit ahead of herself. We were to regret our mirth however, when we were told we'd been awarded a trophy for the team who had entered into the spirit of the occasion with the most enthusiasm .

At the risk of this sounding like an Oscar acceptance speech, we owe such a lot to Laura Berry for her positive up-beat attitude which got us there, and to Liz Stacey for not only bringing the helium balloons, but making the team look so striking by providing us all with bright pink hats and garlands. Our loyal supporters also helped make our day so memorable.

To top it all, South Today had erected a stage and a huge screen on the beach, and were broadcasting from there to celebrate the fact that Weymouth will be the sailing venue for the Olympic Games in 4 years time - it was the icing on the cake!