Kona out

Kona wrap

Hate those words. Last night was the annual post race banquet awards extravanganza. Chuck, Simon, Liz from UK 220 and I shared a VIP table with some very fast folks from Seattle and a gal from Japan. I always enjoy watching the best AGers in the world take the stage and smile under the bright stage lights. And the Pros are always inspiring. As you might imagine, the highlight for me, the proverbial busman's holiday, is the race video, this year cut into two segments, the opener for the pros and the always entertaining 'everybody else' main feature video. Both were a little short on pizzaz. The Pro video contained almost every film, editing and audio gaffe known to post production, including dropped frames, soft focus, sloppy jump cuts, incoherent voice over narratives and weak continuity. Other than that it was OK. The AGers video contained the worst nightmare of any viewing audience anywhere, for any genera: An art film gone off thread. The editors decided early on, and remember they had all week to do the open and build the story as film was being shot race week, to use a choppy, stuttering, time re-map effect that was supposed to be edgy, cool and hip. It was irritating, ineffective and annoying. They kept it up the entire fifteen minutes and by the time the feature had ended, to scattered applause, most were happy just to have the retina water boarding end. The music, although lyrically relevant (distance, go, run, do, rejoice) wasn't exactly top ten material. Given the use of a helicopter, underwater HD, and ten cameras shooting all day, this should be something to leave us with enough inspiration to immediately get back to our condos and start training. All I wanted was a beer.

We are packing gear and making arrangements for getaway. One last interview with Fearless Phil on the way to airport. We had a good show. We met with the WTC boys and are building a proposal and beta video for the 2G RCVs, we are launching an AG promotion to parallel the CT sponsorship of the Pros, we had a good time, recharged the batteries and made a commitment for the future. We met some great new friends. I am happy. I am tired. I have a sunburned neck. We leave for the airport in an hour.

RCVman signing out from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. See you tomorrow, when we start to roll some video. Then you get to be the critic.

Aloha.

A few shots from the afterglow.

The Pro Ladies at the podium. Six of the Ten use CompuTrainer.
RCV in Kona
What 112 on the Queen K will do.