Bang!
With the sound of a gun, eight dragon boats shot out like arrows released from their strings, speeding ahead rapidly.
In the first 500 meters, everyone was neck and neck, differing by only a hair's breadth, the competition incredibly fierce.
But as the distance stretched out, dragon boats in lanes 1, 6, 7, and 8 began to fall gradually behind.
Another 500 meters passed, and the first and second echelons had clearly pulled away from the pack.
The struggle for the remaining 2000 meters was now between the Flying Dragon team and their three competitors.
And the real show was just beginning to unfold.
At first, the Flying Dragon team had a slight lead of about a quarter of a boat length.
But soon, the competitors in lane four started playing dirty.
They deliberately veered off course, closing in on the Flying Dragon team.
When they were close enough, they intentionally mixed their oars with those of the Flying Dragon team.
