Based on this video: watch?v=61Y6tm6k-Qs

Every nerve feels like a pinprick. Lisa Schlenker looks behind her and gently adjusts her point, avoiding eye contact with those adjacent to her. This is the culmination of years of sweat and tears, and Lisa cannot afford to lose her focus now. The waves calmly rocking each boat mock the adrenaline in the air. All six competitors sit poised at the catch, listening only for the sound of the horn.

BEEEP.

Three quarters, half, three quarters, lengthen, full. Her blade catches the water seamlessly, tears through it like butter, and pops into the recovery with a deft flick of the wrist. Lisa's mind is silent.

". . . we want to watch this sculler from America, she's the world record holder of the ergometer at her weight, and she's very very strong. . . but it's Pia Vogel, the late champion, who has taken the lead."

One minute elapses. The cameras watch as Lisa falls in last while Vogel and the Argentinian fight for first. Lisa's mind is silent.

Two minutes elapse. Her muscles are beginning to fatigue, and there's still 1400 meters to go. That's what you sign up for when you enter any regatta, let alone the 1x world championships.

"Lisa Schlenker just a little bit off the pace now. . ."

Argentina takes the lead, with Vogel and Croatia close on her tail. Lisa is the farthest behind, 5.43 splits away from first.

". . .Well, 5 seconds adrift, the United States, so she's got an awful lot to do if she wants to get back up to her tier. . ."

She surreptitiously gains on Germany, until her bow ball is about a foot ahead. Lisa knows that she is faster than the German. The pain is creeping in around the edges, but it is familiar.

"Very steady sculling there, from the American, she's moving very steadily, but she's just beginning to edge back into the field."

Three minutes elapse. Argentina and Vogel are tied for first, while the Croatian has easily flied and died. Lisa has already walked Germany, and Croatia is her next target. The third quarter is always the hardest, and Lisa knows it is her time to strike.

1000 meters, 3 minutes and 44.70 seconds have elapsed. This is the third quarter. The USA is 2.3 split seconds from first.

". . . But just watch the American, she's going to be good in the second half, she's very strong, she's been very steady, ah, but look how fiesty the Argentinian sculler is, that's real, tough hard work there. . ."

Lisa takes third, at Romania's stern. Vogel, who was previously glancing over at the Argentinian, now seems more worried about the American. Lisa slices through the pain. The game is all mental at this point, but it is a game she has been preparing for her whole life.

5 minutes. The audience screams Lisa's name. She continues to gain on Vogel with every stroke, her stern practically waving goodbye. The commentators had doubted Lisa at the beginning, but Lisa hadn't.

500 meters to go, and Lisa is lined up with Vogel and the Argentinian. It could be anyone's gold. Lisa is 1.68 split seconds from first.

Everything hurts now. With one minute left, this is the time to black out. It's not about can, it's about will. Pain is written across every face on the water. Except Lisa's, because she wears cool sports glasses.

Vogel pulls ahead of Argentina, with the USA on the chase. The Argentinian, distracted by looking to her left so many times, watches as Lisa creeps past her and gains on Vogel.

250 meters left. Lisa has about 2 feet left to pass the Swiss. This is the final minute, and Lisa steps on the gas, fighting every cell in her body.

100 meters left. Her stern is tied with Vogel. Any one stroke could decide the race. Her vision narrowed to include only the space in front of her.

They crossed the finish line, seemingly tied. Lisa didn't know she had won the race by a few milliseconds until the announcers called it afterwards.

(she actually makes second place, but I changed the ending.)

1 - argentina

2 - romania

3 - germany

4 - lisa

5 - swiss (vogel)

6 - croatia