Because of the race on Xingluo Island, many competitors and spectators were making their way there at the same time. Despite hurrying the whole way, Liu Qing had thought they might not make it, but they finally reached the center of Xingluo Island, where its central waterway also lay, just in time. After parking in a public lot, Liu Qing, Cynthia, Caitlin, and A Hen arrived at the preparation room and heard the race announcer's voice:
"All registered competitors, there are fewer than fifteen minutes left before the race begins. Please choose a Racing Poké Boat as soon as possible and get ready at the starting point with your Water-type Pokémon. Our water race assigns lanes by group, from lane 1 through lane 10. The distance from start to finish is the same for every lane. All ten groups will start together, and the first to reach the finish will be declared the winner. Competitors may form their own groups of ten to fifteen people or have the staff assign them..."
"Lady Cynthia! It's Lady Cynthia..."
"Lady Cynthia is entering the water race too..."
"I actually get to race with Lady Cynthia! What an honor..."
"Ah, how are we supposed to beat Lady Cynthia..."
The moment Cynthia entered the preparation room, all the competitors inside erupted into chatter. Some were thrilled, some excited, some discouraged, and some regretful...
"Everyone, for this race, I'm not the Sinnoh Champion, but a competitor just like you. Let's have an exciting, hard-fought race together!" Cynthia had anticipated the commotion when she signed up and had come prepared. Her words immediately drew cheers and fired up the competitors' enthusiasm, sending them all back to their preparations.
Wearing long sleeves and trousers to a water race was simply asking to get soaked, so many of