Results and reports by Event

GOOD THINGS: The response to pushes - we took it up every single time. We beat Jesus by a promising margin. We did all this with a sub and a different crew order (which is a testament to Ania's amazing subbing skills!)

LESS GOOD THINGS: Champs' bizarre semi-promise that we had come in the top three. The huge headwind in our division, which had picked up from earlier divisions. I didn't win a coxing prize.

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO IMPROVE: The pushes showed that we have the power now to set a newer, stronger baseline. Instead of a huge leap in power when we make a push, it will now be a subtler change, because we'll be pushing harder ALL the time.

Uploaded Sunday 13th May, 18:10

One day in Cambridge, a boat...

: found out at very short notice it was racing the next day.

: and their cox was abused by an impudent but effortlessly and indubitably Gallic Frenchman.

The crew...

: continued to lower the tone by jesting crudely about one of their number's sister.

: *James' sister

despite...

: the adverse conditions, occasionally did some not totally shit rowing

: and James rose majestically above it all to lead them in a spectacular line around Ditton corner, despite malicious and unfounded claims that it was all the work of one cox and Mike and Tom.

: ‎*occasionally remembered how to row? and despite Mike taking air strokes :P

The race preparation consisted....

: of intense visualisation in which the crew realised the key to winning was to get their blade in the water. And then push. Hard.

Our three man....

: was undoubtedly the best looking in the boat

: turned up half cut, washed his unisuit in the sink, before proceeding to break his foot plate.

The post race...

: cake was immense. Thanks Rachel Boyd.

: atmosphere was one of "that was fucking horrible. We rowed so badly"

yet....

: we're all going to keep rowing because we're sadists

: at least the tans were coming along nicely and Pete and James had received several compliments on their matching sunglasses

: i have the most horrific burn lines ‎:(

:3, 6, 9, the goose (sean) drank wine (beer), we got round ditton corner with a great line. The footplate broke, the bear got woke and we all went home in a lil row boat.

Uploaded Sunday 13th May, 18:40

I wish I could have been there to see you row girls. I was told it was a strong start with a good rhythm. The main lesson from today is to take an inhaler before racing, and bring one with you. Other than that, good work! (And a good opportunity to top up the tan)

Uploaded Sunday 13th May, 19:47

This course lends itself to being split into three roughly equal parts, which is exactly what we did. Our first third kicked off with a powerful start, rating at 35; our practice starts coming down the reach really made the difference here. Coming round Ditton, we hit the headwind, causing the rate to drop to 32, but we took up the cover to maintain the boat speed. Once we'd passed the railings and entered the second 500m, everyone responded well to my calls to sit up and to sharpen up the catches. Several technical pushes here kept it long and strong. For our final 500m, from the railway bridge to the P&E, we shifted up a gear and took it up two on the arms away; it took several attempts, but eventually we all responded and powered through to the finish. Generally, I think the race went really well, and agree with Anton that it felt really strong technically. Thanks very much to Anton and Matt for subbing in at such short notice; let's hope that we've all staked our claims for our seats.

Uploaded Sunday 13th May, 17:28