VVSU Staff and Students Win Dragon Boat Races

On June 29th, amateur dragon boat races were held on the embankment of Sportivnaya Gavan (Sports Harbor). The VVSU team, "Taifun" (Typhoon), achieved victory, posting the best time of the regatta.

The "Taifun" team was composed of VVSU students and staff, as well as graduate students from the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU). The final crew was determined by a draw. The team members noted that the most challenging part of the training was achieving synchronization, so that everyone would work as a single organism. After much discussion, Yulia Koreneeva and Svetlana Dolbilova were chosen as the stroke rowers to set the pace for the team.

On the morning of Sunday, June 29th, "Taifun" faced its competitors. This year, for the first time, the event featured a category for 20-person crews, with six teams participating. "Taifun" was among them.

In the first heat, the VVSU and FEFU team clocked a time of 55.49 seconds, beating their opponents by 3 seconds. They secured another victory in the second heat with a similar margin. The final race was the most challenging, with a mere one-second gap separating the teams. By achieving the best overall time of the competition, 54.00 seconds, "Taifun" became the undisputed champion.

Team members shared that competing at such a large-scale city event and representing the university was both exciting and a great responsibility. They emphasized that every rower in the large team contributed to the victory. Despite the fierce competition, intense heat, and blazing sun, the team''s excellent sportsmanship and coordinated work allowed them to post the best results. They also expressed gratitude to the fans who came to support them and cheered them on after every race.

The winners took home a cup that will be added to VVSU''s collection of awards, along with medals and sweet gifts.