RACE REPORTS FROM CHRIST CHURCH REGATTA 2015, DAY THREE
A somewhat quieter atmosphere around the Worcester Boathouse on Friday, as MA, the last crew standing prepared their minds and bodies for the second round against Exeter MA.
A solid start saw the crews neck and neck as they cruised up the Greenbank. At the bottom of the Boathouses, the rate began to fall, and Exeter pulled ahead. MA put the power in the water, but couldn’t quite bring the rate back up to match their opponents. Contrary to the calls of a certain cox, Exeter rowed cleanly over two lengths clear of MA.
MA on the line against Exeter MA
So Christ Church Regatta ends a day early for Worcester this year, but not without some gutsy and technically impressive rowing from all crews. Well done to all our novice rowers and coxes, and thank you to our dedicated coaches for putting in the time to train them.
It’s three months until Torpids, but until then it’s all about the Dinner.
RACE REPORTS FROM CHRIST CHURCH REGATTA 2015, DAY TWO
A new day for Worcester.
MA
Safe with a spot in the second round, those of MA who weren’t resting during their first race took a day off to recover, while the other three crews lined up for the repechage races.
WA
WA started powerfully, holding off St John’s during the start sequence, before showing off some promising rowing during the race. A small balance issue partway through was swiftly corrected, allowing the crew to put in one final power 10 and finish strong, only a couple of boat lengths behind. All in all, an exciting race, with some great teamwork and aggression from everyone. WA will move on to BCD on Saturday night.
WA pushing off
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WB
It looked like another tough race for WB, against Brasenose WA. A solid start from both crews, but as the waves settled Brasenose were a quarter-length clear of WB. A lesser crew might have cracked under the pressure, but WB hung on and refused to let Brasenose pull further away. A broken seat was their next obstacle, and the gap widened to a whole boat-length as one of WB resorted to sliding up and down the deck like the oarsmen of the 1870’s. As the race reached its final moments, a power ten rallied the girls and they began to close in on Brasenose. On a slightly longer river they might have done it too, but in the end they finished half a length down. Still, an impressive performance for a crew who’ve really pulled together as a unit this week.
MB
After a strong performance that didn’t quite break Christ Church yesterday, MB were confident going into their repechage race against Brasenose MB. This proved to be well-founded, as a near-perfect start pulled them into the lead. Coming past the boathouses, the sight of Brasenose fading in the distance behind them may have distracted certain members of the crew, but as they reached the top of the island they found their stride again and powered across the line with a couple of clear lengths behind them.
MB warm up before their 2nd Round race against Teddy Hall MA
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But the day was not yet done. Less than an hour later, MB were sitting on the starting line next to an impressive Teddy Hall MA. If they were tired, they never let it show, performing another clean and powerful start at the bottom of the long course. It was a short while later that stroke decided to recreate the climax of True Blue, catching a spectacular crab. A swift recovery followed, but the boat was already on a controversial racing line towards the bank. Again, MB got back on track, and with what would be their final racing start of the tournament they launched themselves up the river after a fleeing Teddy Hall. Despite producing their best rowing of the week, the damage had already been done, and MB would have to settle for second place against a deserving opponent. Some races to remember, and a post-dinner PT to forget, MB have done themselves proud this term.
RACE REPORTS FROM CHRIST CHURCH REGATTA 2015, DAY ONE
Well, what a day. Christ Church Regatta 2015 is underway, and our novices have been out on the river giving it everything they’ve got. Individual race reports below.
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WB
Race one for Worcester. WB lined up against the intimidating Oriel WA, well aware of the challenge that lay ahead. A shaky start saw Oriel dash ahead, putting a length of clean water between the two boats. This could have been the end, but WB suddenly found their rhythm, and kept the gap from increasing the entire length of Boathouse Island. WB chased their prey, waiting to pounce on any mistake. Ultimately it was not to be, and a push for the finish by Oriel gave them the victory by a length and a half. Let’s hope for another strong performance in the repechage against Brasenose tomorrow.
WB (City side) line up against Oriel WA (County Side)
WA
WA had a tough draw against the formidable Christchurch WA. After a strong start from both crews, Christ Church pulled away, leaving WA to row a very determined race to the finish with some excellent coxing calls and strong rowing from the whole crew. Up against St John’s in the repechage tomorrow, we’ll see if they can use today’s race as a learning experience to win that one.
MA
A lot was riding on MA’s first race. Could they avenge the Floating Bear by defeating Trinity MA? Was letting their coach cox them really a good idea? An unconventional race, this one would turn out to be. MA were strong off the start, pushing ahead of Trinity with clean, powerful strokes. But as they passed the boathouse, in the eyes of their adoring fans disaster struck! A broken footplate cut them down to seven men, with the whole race still to go. Fortunately, the remainder of the crew stayed blissfully oblivious to the plight of their crewmate and continued to power the boat up the course. At this point Trinity made the controversial tactical decision to catch all of the crabs and crash into anything and everything in sight. After several restarts, they finally got back on the tail of a wounded MA, but the damage was done and MA won with two lengths of clear water behind them. The boys are going for the same result but without the drama when they face Exeter MA in the second round on Friday.
MA waiting for their first race
MB
Final race of the day. Confusion on the land saw MB robbed of their warm-up, spinning onto the start line alongside Christ Church MC, who were a lot bigger up close than a certain coach was expecting them to be. From the beginning, the crews were neck and neck as they accelerated up towards the Boathouses. A roar from the Worcester Boathouse gave MB strength, and they pulled ahead by four seats. Christ Church hung on though, and at the top of Boathouse Island they were level, and creeping slowly ahead. As they approached the finish line, MB made one last push, trying to claw back ahead. It wasn’t enough this time, and Christ Church crossed the line two seats ahead. A tough race, that could have gone either way, and MB will return to face down Somerville MA/Brasenose MB in the repechage tomorrow.
