Results and reports by Event

Like Esther, I think we have every reason to be extremely pleased with today's performance. We pulled a very respectable time indeed, made all the more respectable by the fact that as a crew we'd had less than a week of rowing together.

Being on station so close to the railway bridge meant that we didn't have long to get up to race pace, but we stepped on it quickly and were at a comfortable rate 32 with lots of cover by the time we crossed the start line. Coming round Grassy it became clear that a Lea boat was going to try and pass us, but a solid push off the corner and some excellent responses to pressure calls from bowside left them trailing.

After Grassy, the rate remained pretty strong and steady (as it was to stay throughout the race). Everyone came together for an excellent push for 20 after Ditton Corner, which cemented the space between us and Lea and clearly demoralised them, since a few seconds later they were themselves being overtaken). Those 20 strokes really showed how strong we were: both there and later down the course the eight of you gave the supporters lining the banks something to learn from.

So thanks again, you wonderful bunch: I had a great day today. I think it says something that Clare was one of only five College clubs to put out an eight, but it definitely means far more to me that the eight we did put out was so brilliant.

Uploaded Saturday 15th October, 18:56

I am so proud of the race we did today. We knew Downing were going to be a strong crew, but it was somewhat cheeky of them to set off with overlap on us already - they clearly thought they would be in for an easy overtake before First Post Corner. We gave it everything to hold them off though. They had pulled out to half a length ahead by the time we entered The Gut, but a strong push gave us a seat or so back. At this point one of the Downing rowers screamed "Finish them!", which only spurred us on more. We held contact until Plough Reach, when they finally pulled clear.

The rest of the race was strong and the rhythm solid. Our rolling restarts through the Railway Bridge and towards the finish were good, and I could really feel the whole crew committing to the strokes. We do need to work on holding our posture when we get tired though, so over the next few weeks we'll focus on building up core strength.

I'm so pleased we could give Downing a bit of a run for their money, and frustrate/surprise them with how long it took to overtake us. A really positive start to the term, guys. Well done!

Uploaded Saturday 15th October, 16:44

Pretty excellent race over the first 2k. Especially with the over take of champs on grassy and plough reach. On the overtake it felt relaxed and with all the work being put down in the water. If we'd had a boat that close the whole time I think we'd have been closer to winning this class. Over the last 500m it became tired but Steph's calls helped it come back together for the final push. Over all for a Clare four this early into term I'm amazed by the standard that we held, well done lads, great row.

Uploaded Saturday 15th October, 23:41