Results and reports by Event

A damn fine result, if I say so myself. My complete inability to assess long the race would take may have left the crew disappointed with their time compared to my predicted time… but I that was me being an idiot, rather than the crew rowing badly!

This was a novice IV up against VIIIs and they beat 20 of them. That (even with my basic girly knowledge of “physics-and-stuff”) is VERY impressive.

The boys were chasing a spectacularly bad Peterhouse IV, so we insisted on a big gap and yet they had still overtaken Peterhouse by the P & E. The start was clean, powerful and professional – as indeed was the entire race. In an ideal world the rating could have been higher as it settled to a VERY comfortable 25-ish. However, the amount of high rating pieces the crew had done was negligible and rating 32 over Fairbairns is not something anyone wakes up knowing how to do.

This was a good, strong race that I was proud to bank party. In some of the pushes there were flashes of absolute brilliance which I’m sure would have topped some of the senior IVs. If the individuals in this crew can learn to row like that for an entire race they will become a force to be reckoned with indeed.

Uploaded Saturday 1st December, 21:08

The time isn’t too bad. The position isn’t too bad. That’s not really what matters. As Nick said:-

“That was the best piece of continuous rowing any of you have ever done.”

THAT’S what matters.

This is even more impressive considering LJ was at death’s door, I had the respiratory capacity of a small, asthmatic squirrel and Laura’s rigger completely fell to bits as we crossed the finish. To be honest, I don’t remember much of it as I was completely hypoxic… but that sounds pretty impressive.

We had a beautiful start, hitting a rate 33 that felt like 26. We then settled to around 29/ 30 which was surprisingly comfortable. The power came off only once, around the new bridge, when it occurred to us just how long the race was. However, we hardened on and Black Prince, who had been threatening us from behind, stopped gaining and fell back to a comfortable distance away.

A good result to end the term with. Bring on Lents.

Uploaded Saturday 1st December, 16:26

43rd out of 69 – OK, but not as spectacular as I had been hoping for. However, with unavoidable last minute substitutions, a poorer result was inevitable - crew cohesion just wasn't there. I'm just disappointed because I wanted our novices to realise how much they have improved this term and how good they were in comparison to other crews. I'm certain that if the crew that had trained together had raced together, the crew would easily have been 20 places higher.

Nevertheless, it was a valuable experience. Everyone kept rowing as well as they could – there was no panicking or admitting defeat. Plus, I got the distinct impression that everyone enjoyed themselves, which at the end of the day is what it is all about. We maybe weren’t the fastest crew… but we were certainly the best singers on the way home!

That was a good term boys – I’m only sorry we couldn’t get you a better result on the day. Keep it up and you’ll get the pots you deserve eventually!

Uploaded Saturday 1st December, 16:04