TALES FROM THE WORLDS

TALES FROM THE WORLDS!!!

by Roger Lancina

MTSC's own Roger Lancina and his lovely bride, Wilma, have been at the FINA World Championships. He sent us an email about his adventures, and we wanted to share it with the team...

Wilma and I arrived on schedule Thursday and enjoyed the cooler temperatures until the next morning when we wondered what happened. Low sixties and high fifties the past 5 days.

The swimming began at 8 am on Friday for me with the 800 Meter Freestyle. I took 26th as expected but managed to beat a few people including an Egyptian.

Saturday I made two friends in the 100 Breaststroke, Alessandro, an effusive Italian, and Walter, from Munich Germany. We were seeded in the same heat of all the Breaststroke events.

There are 71 countries with competitors here, so the language variety is stunning. Wilma and I smile a lot and find people from all over that try their English. We have met Slovaks, Japanese, Italians, Germans, Danish, Mexicans, and Michigan State (that's like a country). In the 100, I placed 30th-- Alessandro placed 26th, and Walter 31st. This was his second close loss to me so I knew that I was in trouble for the 200.

In the 50 Breast I placed 34th out of 43 beating Walter again in 36th. I passed swimmers from Japan, Germany, Russia, Spain, and Slovakia in that race.

The 200 Breast was this morning and the results have not been posted, but Walter beat me by 2 seconds and got his revenge.

The people are more fun than the races and there has been no politics. What a relief!

We have been to Carmel by the Sea and Pebble Beach.

Today we go to Wente Vineyards for a tasting appointment set up by Larry.

Last night was a surprise, as Wilma held the Bible for her son Scot to be sworn in as the Chief of Police in nearby San Ramon. San Ramon is a city of 51,000 that has just gained its independence from the county, so he is their first ever Chief. It was at city Hall and they held a big reception afterward. TV and press were there, so we hope to get some of the news articles. He has been chief for the past 1.5 years but under the county control.

Mom cried.

Only the 400 Freestyle left tomorrow then we fly out Friday in time for the Titans and the Baseball World Series.

We miss you all, especially Zoe.

Roger and Wilma