To John Bancheri, every day is the day before a race, the day to achieve greatness. The tone has been set and the faces of the crew reflect this. Their faces are hard, set to carry out this last task. Bancheri gives the call and the ergs once again are brought to life. Each face bears the look of pain, exhaustion, but also determination.
Sweat pours off their backs, once straight, but now bent with strain.
The music is barely audible as the room fills with heavy, ragged breathing. Grunts of pain, like an animal that has been terribly wounded, permeate the room. The taut muscles shake with exhaustion, and look as though they are on fire. With one last pull on the ergs, a guttural noise erupts from several of the men. Their chests heave as they try to breathe.