Campbell River rower Avalon Wasteneys is enjoying the triumph of winning gold with the womenB次元官网网址檚 eight at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, even if it still feels a bit like a dream.

Over the course of the competition, the Canadian crew competed in three races, capping its performance on July 30 by winning the gold medal. Throughout these races, Wasteneys was in the stroke seat (the rower closest to the boatB次元官网网址檚 stern), being responsible for setting the crewB次元官网网址檚 rowing rate and rhythm.

The crewB次元官网网址檚 first race was in the qualifying round on July 24 B次元官网网址� in which there were two heats, with each first-place team proceeding directly to the finals. In the second heat, Canada placed second, just 0.32 seconds behind New Zealand. This meant the Canadian crew would then need to compete in the repechage round to reach the finals.

But having to compete in this next round, on July 28, actually benefited the Canadian crew, said Wasteneys.

B次元官网网址淚 felt if we werenB次元官网网址檛 going to win (the qualifiers) by a huge amount, then it was probably best that we went to the rep to get more race experience, because itB次元官网网址檚 been two years without racing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e thought the B次元官网网址榬epB次元官网网址� canB次元官网网址檛 hurt us B次元官网网址� it can only make us stronger, and itB次元官网网址檚 better than having to wait a week to race again.B次元官网网址�

With high winds that day, the crews thought there was a chance for a quick race, meaning records could be broken. That view proved correct, as the Canadian crew completed the race in 5:53.73, besting the previous record of 5:54.16. Unfortunately for them, however, the Romanian team came first and now holds the world best time of 5:52.99.

B次元官网网址淲e crossed the line and realized we broke the world record, but Romania had broken it before us, which was a bit disappointing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of frustrating, because I donB次元官网网址檛 know what we could have changed, but it would have been cool to have that record to our names.B次元官网网址�

Despite narrowly missing the record, the crewB次元官网网址檚 performance provided them confidence heading into the finals, said Wasteneys.

B次元官网网址淲e then knew exactly what we had to do and how we could dominate that race,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hat was very, very useful for those days leading up B次元官网网址� we were just trying to monitor our energy and stay very relaxed, very calm (and) not getting too anxious beforehand.B次元官网网址�

During the warm ups for finals, the crew was feeling a little tired and sluggish, she said. But just before the race, the adrenaline kicked in.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 when the nerves really hit me B次元官网网址� for the first time I really felt that I was about to compete at the Olympics and potentially make history,B次元官网网址� she said.

The Canadian crew, known for being strongest in the middle of races because of their endurance and technique, aimed to surprise the other crews with a fast start.

They won off the line and never relented. At around the 250- to 500-metre mark, the boatB次元官网网址檚 coxswain told the rowers they were in charge of their own destiny.

B次元官网网址淪he made a call, which was something around the lines of, B次元官网网址榶ou get to choose what colour medal you want,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� and obviously, we all knew what colour we wanted.B次元官网网址�

They faced a late challenge by New ZealandB次元官网网址檚 crew, but they held steady and won.

Wasteneys never wavered during the race.

B次元官网网址淚 never even looked out of the boat,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 just trusted our coxswain and just tried to focus on our race plan and provide as consistent and strong a rhythm as I could for my crewmates.B次元官网网址�

But that changed a bit once it was over.

B次元官网网址淎s soon as I crossed that finish line and actually registered what happened, I was just overwhelmed with emotions,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 surprised myself by breaking into tears, partially of relief and happiness B次元官网网址� and just pure joy B次元官网网址� that we had finally executed the perfect race and had actually achieved what weB次元官网网址檝e been dreaming about for these past few years.B次元官网网址�

Wasteneys and her teammates left Japan the following day, arriving in Canada on Aug. 1.

B次元官网网址淚t was weird because it almost made it feel like a dream,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e dealing with jet lag and fatigue, and we also didnB次元官网网址檛 get to celebrate our achievement together, which was disappointing for all of us B次元官网网址� but we know weB次元官网网址檒l have chances in the future to reconnect and celebrate what we did.B次元官网网址�

Wasteneys is now visiting friends and family in British Columbia to share the joy of her accomplishment. While she will not return to competitive rowing until January, she did not rule out taking her auntB次元官网网址檚 single boat out for a spin sometime soon.