It's going to be a great season., Doug, May 2016

"We have alignment."

"Bury it!"

It's the beginning of the last race of the day. It's been raining and cold all day, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. We started the race off with controlled aggression and could tell everyone on board wanted to win this race.

"Don't let it drop!"

We're halfway through the race and we're neck and neck with the boat to the right of us. I know I need to keep my focus in the boat and watch the fierce drummer girl on the bow yelling at us to keep rhythm.

"Power 10, now!"

"Dig!"

"Dig!'

We lost. By less than a second. We tried so hard. But after that race I understood why Ross pushes us so hard in practice. If we could've just shaved off less than a second we would have won. But I'm still proud when I look at my second place medal when it's presented to me. That's a pretty good start to the season. We have potential.

I wish I could be at Vancouver, but I'm already focusing on Long Beach. I heard we have a title to defend.

It's been a long time since I've played competitive team sports, probably since high school. I've been in a lot of teams and I could tell right away at 6:30 in the morning that this team was more than a team. This was a community. It takes a community to organize the food, the tent, the races, everything. I am humbled by how much others give to make the team ready for this day and I hope I'll be able to give back to it someday.

Kathy and Ross are amazing. I'm not sure how they have time to work with how much time time they invest into this team.

This team is different than all other teams I've been on. I'm starting to understand what it means to be a 'Healer'. As I get to know my teammates I'm finding out many of us have had to overcome a physical roadblock in our lives. For me, it's my shoulder, for some, it's much more serious. I think that's awesome we have this bond. A team that's compassionate but wants to win. It's going to be a great season.

-Doug