And so it begins....

A year ago, Chengdu, a city located in the heart of China, became victim to the "Great Sichuan Earthquake". The quake measured a 8.0 magnitude and claimed the lives of nearly 70,000 people.

Known for their ultra spicy take on Chinese cuisine, a laid back atmosphere, and some of the best tea houses in the East, the people of Chengdu have spent a good part of the year recovering and rebuilding. Now, as we approach their annual Dragon Boat Festival, Chengdu is working to begin a new day by drawing in cultures from around the world and hosting the "Longhu Cup" International University Regatta.

Trinity College has received the distinct honor to be Invited to race along with Yale, Oxford, Milan, Otago, Sydney, Peking Tsinghua and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities.

Representing the Bantams are Will Reed '04, Brack Baker '05, Tom Graves '05, Jon Ford '05, Henry Palmer '06, Ed Slater '07, Peter Graves '07, Sam Reiche '07, Chris Wilson '07, Matt Owyang '07, Mario Gagioli, '07, James Murdoch '07, Gary Moffat '08, and Geordie Coffin '08. Ali Schmidt '08, who has spent the past year living and teaching in China will join us as our international liaison.

And so it begins. We all leave from various spots today (Sunday, April 26th) and arrive tomorrow night in Chengdu. The week will be spent training and experiencing Chengdu, as well as making a day trek to see the largest Budha in the world. Racing will take place next weekend and will be nothing short of Olympic in nature as it includes flag ceremonies, gift exchanges, and stage performances from the various universities.

This blog will serve as our narrative. A window through which the reader may experience a small portion of the incredible adventure we are about to undertake. Good hunting to the Blue and Gold at New England's this coming weekend. Know that on the other side of the world, there is another boat of oarsmen racing it up "The Trinity Way"!

~Ed