Our spring and autumn club trials have become a tradition, giving I. PKO Praha swimmers and invited members of the public a chance to compare their form. This year’s spring race took place on 19 June 2016, starting near our clubhouse on the right bank of the Vltava in Braník. We affectionately call the event our “triathlon”: a working party, a race and a campfire. This time it was more of a “quadrathlon”, with a club general meeting added to the programme.
Working party and club meeting
Before the race, swimmers joined the working party and general meeting. The meeting ran a little long, partly because we were discussing new club statutes.
Club trial
Those with enough physical and mental stamina left quickly jumped into the Vltava to test themselves against their opponents on the prepared course. The water was a lovely 17.3°C, unusual for spring. We swam 750 metres in total, first upstream, then around a buoy and back downstream.
Jan Kalvoda won the men’s race, followed by Jan Bendl in second and Zdeněk Tlamicha in third.
The women certainly held their own. Lucie Leišová won both the women’s race and the overall event, finishing ahead of every man. Jitka Vachtová was the second woman and Radmila Srbová third.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next trial in autumn, before the winter season. Throughout the summer, of course, we continue regular training in the Vltava and take part in open-water races.
Results of the club trial, 19 June 2016
Campfire
After the race, we gathered around a campfire, roasting sausages to the sound of Michal Kohoutek’s guitar. We stayed until late evening. The weather was not entirely kind at first, with a little drizzle, but it improved enough to sit outside. We chatted, sang and enjoyed the rest of the day.
Photos by Antonín Kutil
Photos by Jakub Formánek
Photos by Jitka Vachtová
