PHL Dragon Boat team boosted by new boats at World Championships

The Philippine Dragon Boat team will be rocking new boats at the 2012 World Dragon Boat Championships at the Idroscalo Water Sports Club in Milan, Italy. “Sobrang gaan ng bangka kaya parang gusto nga namin na karera na agad,” said kayak rider Danny Funelas, who was added to the team to improve stroke speed. The new boat—made of carbon kevlar material similar to those used in helmets for soldiers—costs as much as 11,000 euros, more expensive than the usual fiberglass boats Asian competitors use in competitions. “Malaki talaga ang difference kasi with the carbon kevlar, kahit malalaki ang sumasakay hindi masyadong lumulubog ang bangka unlike with other materials na mataas ang water line,” said head coach Len Escollante. "This is good for us because of our speed stroke rate in the sprints.” First to compete for the Philippines will be the men's 10-man crew for the 500-meter race on Wednesday morning, while the women join in come noontime for 500-meter mixed category. The Philippines originally entered nine events in the competition, but Escollante stressed that the team might cut down and simply focus on men's and mixed sprint events to conserve the paddlers' energy for the medal round. “We want to preserve them if the medal chances are good than ask them to race in the long distance events and burn them out,” said Escollante.