Rower Joanie Delgaco got a first taste of what it feels like in the competition venue for the 2024 Paris Olympics after testing the waters on Monday, July 22.

Delgaco’s coach, Ed Maerina, said they had arrived at the Olympic Village over the weekend and checked out the rowing venue at the National Olympic Nautical Stadium of Île-de-France in Vaires-sur-Marne for their final stretch of preparations.

“Nakapag-rigged na kami ng boat at na-test na rin kaya nakasimula na rin kami ulit ng training,” Maerina told Manila Bulletin/Tempo.

As expected, Maerina said the water and weather conditions at the venue are challenging.

“Medyo maalon at mahangin yung tailwind kaninang umaga (Monday). Kaya itong condition ng water ay gagamayin pa niya,” said Maerina.

Delgaco, however, will have no problem with the boat that she will be using as she is using the same brand of boat that she used in her Olympic Qualification Tournament in South Korea.

While goals are high compared to her fellow Filipino Olympians, Maerina said they are taking the competition one step at a time. After all, Delgaco’s Olympic qualification proved that the country is trying its best to catch up with powerhouse nations in the sport from Europe.

“Ang target muna namin ay ma-improve ang race results niya para makarating sa final ranking. Malalaman naman natin after the heats at quarterfinals,” said Maerina, who was actually the first Filipino rower to compete in the Olympics when he saw action in the 1998 Seoul edition.

“Nakikita ko naman sa kanya na sinisiguro niya na maayos palagi ang preparation niya. Yung mind conditioning nya maganda, lalo na nung nakapag-training siya nito lang sa Germany,” Maerina said.

Delgaco will be the first Filipino to compete in Paris when she sees action in the heats of the women’s single sculls on Saturday, July 27, at 10:12 a.m. (4:12 p.m. PH time).