Giuseppe Lanzone Blog - Clemson and Chula Vista Training
by Giuseppe Lanzone / August 05, 2008
Coming into the 2008 season I knew that competition to make an Olympic class boat was going to be challenging. There are 16 spots for the team; an eight man boat with a coxswain, a straight four, a pair and 2 spares. At the beginning of the season there were about 30 rowers with the potential of making the team. Most of these rowers had been training for over 4 years with the Olympic Games on the forefront of their minds.
After racing in a few regattas during the fall, most of the team went to Clemson, SC, and some to Chula Vista, Calif. The weather at these venues permitted us to row as much as we liked. The winter in Clemson was definitely milder than the cold winter in Princeton, NJ. We trained out of the Clemson University boat house. The people at Clemson University were very proud of their sports and were happy to have us at Lake Hartwell. Hartwell is very large and enabled us to row and row without many stops. I thought we got some really quality rows in there. Clemson even became a home away from home.
While in Clemson, we got to meet great people in town and go to football and volleyball games. Like I said before, Clemson people don't mess around with sports. They are very supportive. Also we got invited to dine with very important people at Clemson such as the Dean of Students and some school supporters.
After being in Clemson for 2 months, our coach sent 4 of us to row in Chula Vista. We had a good time out there. Also I like to surf, so in the 6 weeks that I was in Chula Vista I was able to go surfing a couple of times! After spending 6 weeks there, we came back to Clemson and reunited with the rest of the team. We spent a couple more months training there and then returned to Princeton when the weather got better.
In Princeton we continued training and seat racing for the Olympic spots. I was in the state of mind that I could be switched any point so I couldn't have any bad practices. It was a bit stressful but I couldn't expect anything else.
Giuseppe Lanzone is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This blog was not subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee or any National Governing Bodies.
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Comments RSSOn August 09, 2008 Frank Lanzone wrote
Hi, my name is Frank Lanzone. Our family is from NYC. We're Italian americans,but I am sure you must be of some Italian descent as well. I am the oldest of 6, all of whom are doctors. My specialty is Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery. It was very special to see someone from the US Olympic Team with my father's name. Good luck in China.
On August 12, 2008 Clarissa Malca wrote
Buena suerte Guiseppe! Saludos desde Colorado...somos familia por parte de Gladys y tu tio Carlos Lanzone!
On October 30, 2008 O. M. wrote
Hey, Guiseppe! Hope you enjoyed your time in China. I saw your interview on nbcolympics.com where you talk about your love for surfing in the Caribbean. I love Caribbean too. I never tried surfing but i got certified in scuba diving because i like reefs. I've been to Belize, Roatan (Honduras), Dominican Republic, St.Lucia, Grand Caymon. I wonder what is your favorite place in the Caribbean. I loved St.Lucia, very beautiful island but Dominican is a lot of fun. tu amiga, Olga (the one from Lima in D.C.)
On September 02, 2009 suzana przewoska wrote
Hola Giuseppe! is unbelivable i found you! i am not sure you remember...we met in poznan august 30 2009 in a club. just wanted to say 'hi' and it was nice to meet you.take care and good luck! besos desde polonia...suzana przewoska.
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