Results and reports by Event

Weakened by flu but bolstered by an 11th hour sub, M1 were filled with nervous anticipation before Pembroke Regatta. A confident victory against Robinson was followed by strong rows against Peterhouse and Kings, beating both by over a length to make the final. Following a gutsy start at rate 43, fuelled by passion and Maggie's bananas, Stefan's calls of "Give 'em hell boys" kept the boys within half a length of Maggie until the railway bridge, where an unfavourable corner gave Maggie the edge, eventually pulling out to a length lead before an unfortunate crab sealed the race in their favour. Nonetheless, the whole crew are thrilled with the results and their performance on the day, and are looking forward to taking the same energy into training and eventually bumps!

Uploaded Tuesday 21st February, 17:36

Becca Testa reports:

Due to our amazing reputation, W1 were straight through to the Pem Regatta quarter final. After getting hyped up watching M1’s final, we were off against Emma W1. A strong start from Emma gave them an initial lead, but despite our lack of height and weight we held them at canvas for a while before they pulled away to the finish.

Thanks to Emma for a great race and Pembroke for organising, after this practice run we’re ready to bring the fire to Bumps!

Uploaded Sunday 26th February, 10:33

The row down was the nicest M2 had seen this term despite the weather. We had the home advantage of choppy water which somehow cancelled out our own chop. Equipped with 7 pairs of matching sunglasses (free speed) we were ready to race but after arriving 15 minutes early to marshalling, we decided to have a sun bathe and play some musical blades.

M2 then came up against our first opponents - Wolfson M2. Deciding we couldn’t lose to a boat calling themself Paddle Pups we shot off with possibly the nicest start we’d managed with a full crew. Within 250m we got clear water thanks mostly to a crab from their bowman but also a serious shift from us . By the time we got to the bridge, we could hear grippers cries of ‘save your legs’ and decided to have a nice steady state paddle across the line.

Marshalling part two saw some collisions (not our fault) and a text from grip telling us to hold onto the finishes. A short break and we were ready to race again

Coming up to the start line, it was clear the wind had picked up and our new opponents, Peterhouse M2, would give us a good race. We flew off the start and straight into the tree. A quick regroup and a crab before we were off into the headwind again. The split left something to be desired before the whole crew found the power. After a final reset, we soldiered through to the finish a respectable distance behind.

We returned home and took our frustrations out on the erg, ready for the final push towards bumps.

Uploaded Tuesday 21st February, 13:53

Ella O'Loughlin Reports: After a morning of nothing but sunshine and clear waters, W2 took to the startline of Pembroke Regatta and, like clockwork, the sun dissapeared and a howling wind took its place. With plenty of taps from bow and 2 to readjust as well as a haunting, soulful rendition if Destiny’s Child’s Survivor from our cox, W2 were off. It was a strong start and Clare were beginning to edge ahead. Lucy Cavendish were so threatened by Clare’s insane power that they even tried to row into us, getting closer and closer until their blades clashed with ours. Whistles were blown but on we went. As numerous photos will attest, Clare’s tech was on point and Lucy Crabendish lived up to their name on more than one occasion. Alas it wasn’t enough and Lucy knocked Clare out of the regatta in our first race. Gripper suggested that it was W2’s fitness which held us back but the rowers knew the truth. There was no race cake. No race cake = no motivation. An important lesson learned in time for bumps.

Uploaded Tuesday 21st February, 21:08

Felix Bowden reports:

Clouds gathered and cackled above a dark, choppy river, with one side of the river considerably darker and choppier than the other (at least, that’s how it felt). As two other boats raced down behind us, well on their way, it was time for us to take our marks. With their red uniforms and voluptuous swole arms, Jesus made their silent battle cries, faced forwards towards their cox. I could feel the anxiety seep into Vera like a boat that had already begun to sink.

“GO!” Events were finally set into motion. As Jordan began to calmly and collectedly command us, I could feel my oar push and heave against the thick air as it had never done before. Unfortunately, this did not help us move through the water. Like an intoxicated spider we scuttled through the choppy, choppy water (it was very choppy) after a failed start, eventually reaching a semi-steady state. The Jesus boat, as if it was almost walking on the water, nonchalantly sailed through their tranquil waters on the forested bank of the Cam.

Heaving and ho-ing relatively in sync, we began to gain pace. Doing her best to console us (and not use her very extensive vocabulary of naughty words) Jordan cheered us on. “WE’RE NEARLY UP TO THEM! JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE!” For a brief moment I turned my head back, and saw clear waters, but no Jesus College boat. She had lied. I couldn’t even see the boat. I felt betrayed, but also humbled. In the knowledge that we’d never win I went with the team anyway, an odd calm washing over me.

The race was over. Weeks of rigorous planning and a collective team total of 10 ergs across the term so far had not led us to success - but hey, our losing moments defined us. In defeat we rowed back to the boat house, where the W3 looked upon us from their boat, as one looks upon a banana peel dropped on the floor. Well, at least we weren’t disqualified.

Uploaded Monday 3rd April, 17:18

Lilly Roett Reports: It was a sunny Saturday morning when W3 faced its first race of Lent term. We were raring to go with a race plan sent by Shan at 1am the night before (a true indicator of our preparation). After successfully making it to the start line, we got off to a rather shaky start, with more than a couple of resets in the first 400m. Sidney began to pull ahead and all hope seemed lost... before they abruptly crashed into the bank. This bought W3 enough time to get ahead and we began to find our pace, passing the bridge and making it to the finish line comfortably ahead of our opponent at a respectable rate of 32. Just when we thought the drama had ended, whilst waiting for the next race, a marshall had a cheeky glance at our boat to spot a "damaged" bow ball! After much back and forth (and the suggestion of taping it back on, which was swiftly declined) W3 surrendered with our heads held high, and we were disqualified from the race. Spirits were still high as we paddled back to the boathouse to eat doughnuts, and Lottie was able to make it to the John's brunch she had been dreaming of all morning.

Uploaded Tuesday 21st February, 21:06

Shamsher S. Bhangal reports:

CBC oarsmen and oarswomen through the generations gathered to race in the alumni division of this year’s Pembroke regatta.

A smug, suspiciously youthful Pembroke crew were first to race us. Our 5-seat (Louis) loudly sounded the ancient war-cry ‘Yeah Clare!’ and the power came on. The alumni’s fine and skilful rowing must have recalled for some in the boat unageing glories from earlier years. With a length and a half on us, Pembroke’s rudder broke. They veered onto our side and got disqualified. Not since the parting of the Red Sea has there been such clear evidence of divine intervention.

Unexpected victory brought us to face an equally smug and suspiciously youthful Caius crew. An appeal to fear never finds an echo in CBC hearts. Unintimidated, the alumni boat gave Caius a tight race, but ultimately crossed the finish line second.

The sun had now set over the Cam. The Alumni returned to the boathouse in high spirits. Neither wind nor water dampened their cheerfulness. Warm discussions between the different generations in the boat continued throughout the afternoon.

This regatta, if nothing else, demonstrated the truthfulness of the old adage – you remain a part of the CBC family forever.

Uploaded Monday 3rd April, 17:15