Jersey Trading requires Street Market Skills

Enviable jerseys - apparently ours was one of them.

As we sat in our team tent mentally preparing for our last 500m race, our tall b.f.'s and supporters were commissioned to stand guard and divert jersey traders.

There were no unitards (one piece uniforms) this year, but the next best thing was the Philippines long sleeve, vibrantly patriotic rashguard and matching 3/4 length tights. HOT! (look for it at practice as several of us traded for the full set).

A surprise came when a couple Iranian girls (dressed head to toe, wrist to ankle, in 3 piece white uniform) came to trade a bright orange catsuit. If we had seen it earlier, it would have been the prize trade!

Tips to get the jersey(s) you want:

• To get the jersey you want you must start early. Scouting must occur during the first couple days. The second last day of regatta, or depending on when team finishes their races, walk by the desired team's tent and locate an athlete of the same size. Approach your subject. Try it on. Get their name, and make sure they get yours.
  
• Having a new jersey with the manufacturer's tag helps your trade value.
• Having a new jersey with the manufacturer's tag and in the original plastic bag is even better (smart, Wendy).
• Know what your jersey is worth: one with silver threading (anti-bacterial) is worth a jersey and a dinner shirt (way to go Nui).
• Practice your negotiation skills in the street markets first. This helps.
  
• Be the winning team (or atleast in the Top 6).
  
• Look hot in it, as an individual and as a team.

Note: The silver threading works; Candice didn't wash her jersey for 3 days and it didn't really smell.