It was the morning of the regatta, and despite it being July, the air felt like ice so early in the morning. The sun was just rising as the team gathered in the motel parking lot, ready to head over to the race site.
Coach Mattias had insisted that everyone meet in the parking lot before driving over, because he wanted a head count when it was easier to drag someone out of bed rather than chance meeting at the park by the reservoir five miles away and finding out someone had slept in. That had happened once, years ago, and he didn't want to repeat that experience.
The three eight shells all had everyone there. Olaf was standing in the middle of the parking lot, looking entirely too perky, along with Kristoff, who was awake and ready as always.
"Olaf?" Mattias asked.
"Yes, Coach?" Olaf replied.
"Where's everyone else?"
Olaf looked around. "Kristoff's here, he's going to drive me."
"Olaf, aren't you supposed to have four rowers in your boat?"
"Right! Um…"
Olaf began looking around.
"I'm right here!" Ryder called out, poking his head out from the other side of a van.
"And there's Eric," Olaf pointed to the crowd near the door. "He really blended in there, huh?"
"Who was rooming with Hans?" Mattias asked.
"Was he rooming with anyone?" Kristoff asked. "I think he got a room by himself."
"Can you go wake him up, Olaf?" Mattias sighed. "Everyone else, head on over to the reservoir."
Olaf ran inside, and came out with a very unhappy looking Hans a few minutes later.
"Great, my ride left!" he groaned.
"You can ride with us!" Olaf offered. "I'm sure Kristoff won't mind!"