They are here this morning to work, as they have for hundreds or thousands of other mornings, to prepare for a shot at being recognized as the best in the world. Collins is a sculler. She is the bow half of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team's Women's Lightweight Double Sculls. Lightweight means the boat has a weight limit, about 265 pounds for the crew. Double means there are two rowers.
Sculls means each person uses two oars.
As the boat glides soundlessly across the water, a viewer from the stern shows only one set of oars - Garner's. He follows briefly, then pulls alongside to give instructions as the women finish their warm-ups. Dietz, head coach of the women's crew team at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is understated. He takes their drive and understanding for granted. The women nod and dip their oars.