Michael J. Boyd, Captain and Head Coach of the local Phantom Dragons team, raced in the coveted right stroke position on Team USA’s Senior C Mixed crew in the 12th IDBF Dragon Boat World Championships, held in Welland, Ontario this August.  For dragon boaters, this is the pinnacle event – the equivalent of what the Olympic Games represents for more conventional sports.  Notably, Boyd is the first paddler from Colorado to try out for and be selected to race on a World Championship level dragon boat team.  Needless to say, he considered this experience to be the event of a lifetime!

Michael J. Boyd / Team USA Senior C Mixed 2015

The Team USA Senior C crew paddled with determination and heart in the 2000-meter, 500-meter and 200-meter divisions, setting a National Record for their time in the 200 meter races.  However, the combined time for their two fastest (of three) heats in that division left them a scant 0.22 seconds behind Germany in the race for third place – heartbreakingly close, but just off the podium and out of the medals.  

Photos / Video

Here is a video of their Final Race in the 200-Meter Division.

Senior C Mixed 200-Meter Finals

Also check out Mike’s interview with Richard Smith of Belief Sport TV that provided live online coverage of the event . . .

Michael J. Boyd Interview – IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships

Additional Photos are posted here:

2015 IDBF Dragon Boat World Championships

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