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Event: Lent Bumps 1997 -
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Who the f*** are this lot?
...Was what you'd have said at the start of term.

Only Kevin, Clive & Alex had ever raced bumps for the 2nd or 1st boat.
Kev & Justin were binned at Christmas from CULRC [in the days when there was no Granta]
Alex was ill most of the term and singing in the Choir most of the rest.
Dewire was a 13st ex-novice with a 6:47 erg. Marnold was little better.

Only Francis & Justin had decent ergs, though both were more interested in beach-weights...

The fact that this crew went quickly surprised everyone, especially the opposition, but was a testament to the fact that "we just got our heads down and did the training plan as Dan wrote it."

Event: 2nd Trinity Challenge Sculls 2000 - Clinker
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There was only one entry

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2000 - Senior VIIIs
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Frankly, a disappointing result and the club's poorest showing in Fairbairns for a number of years. A good deal of work will be needed to hold off Emmanuel next term.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2000 - Senior VIIIs
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With 8 past winners of the Fairbairn Cup or Fairbairn 2nd VIII Cup on board, this Black Prince (old boys) crew was disappointed to loose to the highest 2nd VIII, Downing, by just 4 seconds. Nevertheless, despite being a scratch crew they were only 9 seconds slower than the 1st VIII.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2000 - Lower VIIIs
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Beating a college 1st VIII (Magdalene) can't be bad!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2000 -
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Um - where, exactly, are Queens?

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2000 -
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Best ever result by 1st and 3rd ladies in Novice Fairbairns, and beating the men's 4th and 5th VIIIs too!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2000 -
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Beaten by only three 3rd VIIIs too!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2000 -
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Beaten by only one 4th VIII (ours), and three 3rd VIIIs

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2000 -
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and beating Maggie 2 and 3!

Event: Cambridge Small Boats Head 2000 -
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with a small mishap! Well done, Tom. Still beat the Catz pair by 9 seconds

Event: Cambridge Small Boats Head 2000 -
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fastest of our training pairs, beating the Catz pair but being thrashed by Wolfson

Event: Bedford Autumn Fours Head 2000 - Senior4 IV+
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first row of the day

Event: Bedford Autumn Fours Head 2000 - Senior3 IV+
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the only S3 entry and the second row of the day

Event: Cambridge Autumn Head 2000 -
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followed and beat the Downing quad

Event: Cambridge Autumn Head 2000 -
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a great result for the women's 2nd IV!

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2000 - Senior3 VIIIs
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slower by 8s than the first row

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2000 -
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beat the men's 2nd VIII

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2000 -
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The famous Grassy corner incident involving the new Novice VIII "Peter Brandt" was caught on film - follow the link to the Disasters page to see it!

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2000 -
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Jesus I crashed in to them at Grassy and stroke's rigger failed at the Plough

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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CCAT were one of the better opponents of the day, and the bank party decided it would be a good opportunity to practice going at race pressure for the whole course.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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For the second time in the day, the 1st VIII decided to go flat out all the way for this one. Winners of the Clare Novices 2000 - in style.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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We were a bit more apprehensive about this race than against Fitz B. However, judging from comments from Tit Hall's bank party the feeling was mutual. With a four seat lead after four strokes the writing was on the wall - 'It was never really going to happen'. The boys cruised home from the railway bridge, satisfied with a good six length lead.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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Selwyn were clearly the neatest crew from any other college on the river - and were the major obstacle in the way of an all First and Third final. The tow path station gave us the advantage along the reach, and we pushed hard to open a lead of just over 1 length by the railway bridge. As the river and current swung in to their favour, they came back strongly as expected, to within half a length. However, our crew remained in command and as the advantage of the corner faded so did Selwyn; we continued to push hard to regain a lead of about a length. (Bumping a crew from the previous race moments before the finish added a little extra excitement.) An awesome performance.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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The rowing was gutsy, they were just too good.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 2nd division
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finishing perhaps some 20 lengths clear, and having overtaken the loosing crew from the race before!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 2nd division
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Whilst leading by 3/4 length approaching the railway bridge with an inside line under it approaching, we erred in to the path of Queens II, and the heavy blade clashing reasonably resulted in disqualification. This was a great shame, since our subsequent crossing of the finish line some two lengths ahead properly reflected our superior boat speed.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 2nd division
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a powerful start gave us a commanding lead, even before a cocktail of seat derailments and overhead crabs sent Christs veering across the course in to the bank.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 2nd division
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The first half of the race was disappointingly scrappy - perhaps partly on account of having to row with unfamiliar wooden blades. The rowing improved in the second half, but it proved impossible to regain very much ground and the win was conceded.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 2nd division
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The rowing was good but not fast enough, against a strong Queens B (eventual winners).

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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Downing started powerfully and took a lead of about 1/4 of a length. The whole reach was an exciting side-by-side show down, in which First and Third, inch by inch, nosed in to the lead. Downing had clearly started hard, but flagged, and as the river turned to our advantage our ladies surged ahead to win convincingly.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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A lengthy crab 'situation' shortly after the start looked very ominous, but good work by the remaining six operational oarsmen left us only about a length down by the time it was eventually recovered half a minute later! With all 8 back in action, the crew started to erode Caius' lead. By the railway bridge things were going very well and Caius fell apart utterly to give us a convincing win.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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A good start came to nothing after a boat stopping incident, and yet again our ladies had ground to make up - this time about two lengths as they passed the railings. We were in familiar territory, and for every seat gained over Jesus, the opposition's coordination deteriorated. Even their cox began to feel the heat as we moved through to a third of a length down under the railway bridge and, steering tight round the bend to maintain the advantage, was warned back onto station by the marshal - only to steer away hard... into the bank. Another win!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2000 - 1st division
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About a length was conceded at the start with one or two small incidents, but thereafter, despite some determined gutsy rowing, it becamse clear the Maggie were a faster crew. It was disappointing not to win, but a good performance to have reached the final.

Event: Cambridge Rowing Triathlon 2000 -
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John came off badly at 25mph in collision with Jon, just two minutes in to the cycle. Sustaining only minor injuries, he continued using Julia's MTB, his own front wheel having been destroyed in the incident. All hopes of a good time in the cycling were therefore lost, especially with John now struggling to keep pace on Julia's unsuitable machine. Half way through the cycle the decision was made to split in to two groups to allow Jon and Tom a head start on the run, whilst Martin stayed with John, who was expected to be the strongest runner, to try and help out with some drafting assistance. Jon, Tom and John all therefore worked much harder than originally planned on the cycle, which makes our subsequent good time in the run, in which we naturally reformed in to a group, all the more pleasing. The rowing was pretty unpleasant since after two hours of racing most of us had 'hit the wall' pretty badly. Overall, quite an experience.

Event: Cambridge Rowing Triathlon 2000 -
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A very good time from Iain, we thought. We would.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2001 -
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beaten by Emmanuel and Caius

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2001 -
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fastest 3rd VIII, beaten by only one 2nd VIII

Event: Head of the Nene 2001 -
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behind Emma II, Caius II and Downing II whilst beating LMBC and Pembroke

Event: Head of the Nene 2001 -
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behind Caius and Downing whilst beating Newhall, Pembroke and Sidney. A pleasing and gutsy performance

Event: Newnham Short Course 2001 - Lower VIIIs
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Am waiting to hear the official line on this, but it looks like a superb result to me. Shame it wasn't just 2s faster, though...!

Event: Robinson Head 2001 -
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This was the crew's first chance to open the throttle since the Head to Head at the beginning of term. A solid row and satisfactory result showed good promise after the disruptions of the last couple of weeks

Event: Robinson Head 2001 - Lower VIIIs
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The crew bounced back from almost two weeks off the river with a storming row and their best race performance to date.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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After a fairly ropey start, we settled into a more comfortable rhythm and strode away from HEC, winning by quite a long way in the end.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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The start improved in this race and our cruise pace saw us pull steadily away to a win of roughly three lengths.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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After moving on Caius off the start, we had an encounter with some undergrowth by the railings. The crew held together well and, having given Caius about a half a length, we moved back on terms through to the railway bridge and took full advantage of the bend in our favour to move almost a length in front through to Morley's Halt. The bend moved into Caius' favour, and they crept back slightly to perhaps two thirds of a length by the finish.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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Girton beat us by almost a minute in the Head-2-Head, and so probably thought they would have an easy race. However, the row was powerful and determined - with a real feeling of 'we will not be beaten' in the crew. It showed we have really come on this term.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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Although the win was by a fairly decent margin, it was agreed that the standard of rowing was quite poor, and didn't approach the control of the row in Friday's Robinson Head.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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After a quick malt loaf lunch ATBH we were back in action. They had a very quick start, and soon were about half a length up to us, but our focus remained in our own boat and we started to come back at them. Coming into the railway bridge we were about level, there was a bit of a blade clash and we pulled ahead to win by about half a length - a hard but very satisfying race.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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Definitely our worst race all day as we had an OK start and then splashed our way all down the reach probably over-rating. We were on the meadow side and Corpus were only about 1-1.5 lengths off us up until the Railway bridge where we pulled ahead. Everyone agreed straight after the race that it was a bad row.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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After a lot of discussion regarding our start, wind and settle, we decided we should try and reach a better racing rhythm this race. Racing on the towpath side, we set off at the same frantic pace as the last race until urged to "Relax!". It seemed to work and we had a storming row up to the railway bridge with things dropping off a bit near the end.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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Again the meadow side, this was our best row. It was a very close race with us moving ahead by a length after a minute. We kept a very good race pace with nice timing all the way up to Morley's Holt when the bend started to favour Pembroke. They came back at us strongly but we had started to respond when we had a very bad clash of blades. Phil's seat got knocked so he couldn't slide and Pete caught a crab. We were forced to stop rowing briefly and Pembroke set off and crossed the line only to discover they had been disqualified.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - Lower division
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Unfortunately our opponents failed to turn up. We rowed the course anyway for practice.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - Lower division
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We pulled away right from the start and increased our lead throughout the course of the race, eventually winning by about 3 or 4 lengths. Our good start set things up well for the remainder of the race - the rowing was nice and "chunky" throughout, and we disposed of our opponents in a rather pleasing clinical fashion.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - Lower division
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In a dramatic race, a 1 length deficit was converted to a 1 length lead courtesy of some excellent rowing and the opposition stopping for a bit. In the final third of the race, however, Caius superior power eased them ahead to a relatively comfortable win

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2001 -
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Beat 2 second VIIIs, 6 third VIIIs and and 7 fourth VIIIs!

Event: Cardinal's Regatta 2001 -
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They must've been pretty embarrassed! We took full advantage of a huge headstart awarded in our favour, survived a deluge of water from the footbridge from eager Emmanuel supporters, and awarded the unsuspecting race officials with a shocking result, the superior boat stability proved a major asset.

Event: Cardinal's Regatta 2001 -
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Arguing with the start marshalls didn't go down very well, and we failed to make up the headstart awarded to the opposition!

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2001 -
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Sally's superb steering helped secure a comfortable victory.

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2001 -
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Apparently there weren't sufficient corners on the shortened course for Earl to win it by doing little more than just steering the thing. And they didn't pull hard enough.

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2001 -
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Didn't pull hard enough.

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
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...despite leading by one second at the half way point

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
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The verdict would have been more like 3 or 4 lengths had Churchill not stopped with equipment problems under the railway bridge. A comfortable win nevertheless.

Event: Bedford Regatta 2001 - College VIIIs
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With the rowing over for the day, there was nothing for it but to enjoy the sun, the Twickenham ladies crew (eh?) and drinking beer in the hospitality tent...

Event: Cam Sprints 2001 - Novice 1x
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Most unfortunately Mr Earl suffered a multiple crab shocker at the start - particularly disappointing since it remained Lewsey's closest race of the day.

Event: Cam Sprints 2001 - 3rd division
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The crew started well and retained the advantage of the staggered start for the 1st 150m, then gradually lost ground before clipping the bank with 100m to go.

Event: Cam Sprints 2001 - 3rd division
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The start was scrappy but they made up the stagger after about 100m. The risky line down the middle of the river meant they were a shade fortunate not to be disqualified (writes Neil Talbott), but their rowing became more settled towards the finish and they won by a length.

Event: Cam Sprints 2001 - 1st division
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Things were looking promising even before Selwyn suffered a boat-stopping shipwreck and we won comfortably.

Event: Cam Sprints 2001 - 1st division
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Peterhouse looked a large crew and whilst it was disappointing to loose, it was a good row and the small margin was good, considering.

Event: The John Earl Slowness Challenge 2001 -
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Round 1
Jesus Flag pole to Emma Footbridge - won by 3l

Round 2
Morley's Holt to Bottom of Reach - won (easily)

Event: The John Earl Slowness Challenge 2001 -
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Round 1
Jesus Flag pole to Emma Footbridge - lost by 3l

Round 2
Morley's Holt to Bottom of Reach - lost (easily)

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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We were never really in contention in this one, with sore limbs and dented morale taking their toll.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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Despite a great warm up it fell apart on the start line and New Hall gained a lot of distance. After a scrappy row up the reach we got it together and started to close up on them again past the railway bridge. However it was not enough and we finished about a length behind.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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With Henry returning from a week of illness and a Sophie subbing at the last minute in the cox's seat, the crew didn't cope with the wind very well and had a disappointing untidy row.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 4th division
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Held them to about halfway. Got disconcerted due to the fact that they were still there and they finished about half a length up.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 4th division
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The race was delayed for a while, as Bow's gate fell off on the way up to the start and we lost some important parts in the Cam. After stealing a gate from the 5th VIII we pulled away from Sidney very slowly off the start. By the railway bridge, there was a judicious amount of clear water between the boats - a good thing since our racing line strayed the wrong side of centre - and then we started to fall apart. However we managed to get it back together and won fairly comfortably in the end.

Event: May Bumps Getting-on Race 2001 -
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Although admittedly containing more subs than crew members, the boat managed to go only one second slower than the men's grad VIII!

Event: University IVs 2001 - 1st division
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The 1st coxed IV had lost by 39 seconds over the weekend, and had to pull a blinder out of the hat to do something. The race plan appeared simple - pull hard, and keep doing lifts until the finish line, or you pass out, whichever was sooner. Fortunately for the rowers' healths, the finish line was first, but the margin was a loss by 3 seconds - a hugely impressive result.

Event: University IVs 2001 - 1st division
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Surviving a hefty blade clash at the start, the crew moved clear easily and had a comfortable lead at the railway bridge which they retained to the finish at top finish.

Event: University IVs 2001 - 1st division
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It was a very good row with which the crew were pleased, but the Peterhouse crew were powerful and simply too fast to be in contention.

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
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Only half the official crew were able to row, so Amelia and Anna were joined by two subs. I gather there were some boat stopping incidents along the way, so 2.5 lengths doesn't sound all that bad.

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2001 -
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After a shakey start, the 1st VIII settled in to a strong rhythm and took the corners well in the first part of the course. Everything seemed to be going fine until just before the railway bridge when a "blade clash" with a barge and a seat failure at 6 put a spanner in the works. Eventually the seat problem was resolved and the crew produced a really gutsy row to the finish, coming in 16 seconds behind the winners.

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2001 -
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Some last-minute crew changes caused the start to be slightly scrappy. However, once everyone remembered how to row, things got a little better and the crew found something reasonably rhythmical. A recurring crab problem, which had dogged them from just after the start, was resolved before chesterton. Down the reach, they started to tire and shorten up a a bit. However, they kept pushing the legs down and hauled themselves through the finish line.

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2001 -
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Despite Thomas' valiant attempt at organisation, the boat required some desperate last minute subbing. We had some problems with our finishes so poor Daniel at stroke crabbed repeatedly down the course. Nevertheless we had some well sat, technical pieces, especially past Churchill's Boat House which spurred us on in to the 2nd half. As we tired technique slipped and more crabs and a crash just before the finish marked a disappointing end to the term.

Still, the good bits were damn good! Well done lads.

Event: Bedford Autumn Fours Head 2001 - Novice IV+
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The race featured a major collision after other crews attempted overtaking 3 abreast.

Event: Head of the River IVs 2001 - Senior3 IV+
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Entering with a scratch crew at short notice due to Jonathon unfortuantely being very ill, the guys were reasonably pleased with their row and placed well in the S3 coxed IV category. They beat Trinity Hall, Churchill, Peterhouse and Pembroke, but were beaten by two Emmanuel crews, Christ's and Downing.

Just out of interest, as is included below, they were 2m54s slower than the coxed IV containing Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell.

Event: Head of the River IVs 2001 -
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The crew enjoyed the experience of rowing the Head of the River race, and placed well, beating the Black Prince crew of recent leavers (Anna Ferguson, Cass Chideock, Emma Wilton and Sarah Cochrane), Trinity Hall, Wolfson and Churchill. A good row was rewarded notably with a deficit to Peterhouse (who beat them comfortably in round 1 of the Uni IVs) of only 4s.

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2001 - 1st division
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Thanks to Dan, there are some great pictures of the effort that went in to this! Well done, guys.

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2001 - 2nd division
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As fastest 3rd VIII, the crew beat 4 1st VIIIs and half of the 2nd VIIIs. (The 3rd VIII results are listed right at the bottom of the page.)

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2001 -
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The first men's novice VIII were the fastest college novice VIII. Unfortunately they were denied a pennant by Westminster School's beginner crew (who have been rowing a month longer).

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2001 -
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The second men's novice VIII was also very successful, fastest but for LMBC's second novice VIII. However, our crew crashed at Grassy and lost 12-15 seconds; with no mishaps they would have beaten LMBC comfortably.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2001 -
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Beat Magdalene II and Jesus II.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2001 -
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A superb time - at only 10s slower than the 3rd novice VIII.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2001 -
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The 2nd novice women showed everyone that despite the club's poor track record, they are going to go fast this year. The crew and cox made it look easy, and had the added excitement of overtaking another crew around Ditton - a tricky manoeuvre that came off perfectly. Avoiding any major disasters they quickly recovered from the bad strokes and posted a good time.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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The crew displayed their confidence, if not unfailing competence, in this race. The start was superb - cruising out to a comfortable lead within the first dozen strokes. They thought better of rowing comfortably to the line, though.... much better to scare the bank party with a triple crab shipwreck for a while, letting the opposition back in to the race. No matter, they went on to win comfortably, as they knew they would.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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The bank party rather hoped that all the crabs and things had been worked out of the system for this, the 2nd race. Such dreams were quickly shattered, though, with Nonny adding a bit of drama to the plot early in the proceedings from the stroke seat. The crew knew the script and had practised this before, though, so no matter - they went on to win comfortably, as they knew they would.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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At last, a most boring race. A solid win, no drama, no fuss. Nice one.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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This time, up against the crew who went on to win, it was always going to be a tough race. The crew rose to the occasion and rowed a very good race (aside from Kim's feet suddenly popping up to head height as they came out of the shoes!), but some solid work and the day's best rowing proved no match for LMBC's blistering pace.

The ladies in red (sorry, my mistake - FaT dark blue) can expect a tougher battle in Fairbairns.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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The crew dispatched Jesus C easily - even gaining 1/2 length's lead after 2 or 3 strokes. A good start!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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Unfortunately, errors by the start marshalls meant we crashed in to the tow path side bank off the start. The ensuing panic resulted in a number of further encounters with the river bank and gave our opponents a lead of about half the reach (a conservative estimate). However, some brilliant rowing and numerous disasters in the opposing boat meant that by the time both crews got going together Caius were just one length up!

The girls then had the excitement of a nail-biting side by side race through the railway bridge and to the finish... to a final verdict of a win by ~ 1/4 of a length!!!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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This was a good solid win. No major disasters, just superior boat speed. A very neat row, most of the way.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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Whilst the result was disappointing for everyone, the race was absolutely brilliant - the timing and technique were the best yet and everyone gave this absolutely everything. The start was extremely good, giving us a 1/2 length lead, but Downing's speed proved just slightly higher than ours despite everyone's best efforts.

Overall, a great performance from the 2nd novice VIII - almost without doubt the best ever.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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A gutsy and drama free race saw the 2nd VIII dispatch Wolfson comfortably.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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Downing B were huge. The bank party kept this observation to themselves, but the crew did well to remain composed when Baz saw fit to point it out. Boasting some pretty nice paddling too, Downing looked to the bank party like a formidable challenge....

Put simply, the guys absolutely flew, and fully deserved this hard won win.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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Judging by the initial pace of the crews, this was going to be a cracking race, with the crews running neck a neck for the first half minute. It was not to be, however. A seat disaster at 6 put us down to 6 men for the majority of the race, giving Pembroke, who went on to win a place in the final, an easy row to the line. A frustrating end to the day, but overall an impressive showing from the 2nd VIII who, as only 2nd novice boat in the quarter finals, confirmed themselves as serious challengers for the 2nd VIII cup in Fairbairns next week.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 1st division
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Gutted. The guys had fantastic boat speed but it wasn't enough... A great start saw the FaT boys quickly opening up an impressive lead, only to loose it after veering to stroke side and becoming embroiled with the bank. The mantra "keep rowing" doesn't work in such situations, and they were two or three lengths down by the time they got going. Picking up a new blistering pace they gained quickly despite being on the outside station, but on catching up Sidney, stroke side's enthusiasm was simply too great for the rudder and a heavy blade clash put us firmly out of the race.

Whilst it was extremely disappointing to loose having demonstrated their power, the ultimate goal is Fairbairns next Thursday, in which they have a lot to prove.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
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It was widely agreed that this was a very poor row. This was a shame, since keeping just heads together would have been sufficient to beat a similarly scrappy Selwyn C easily.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2001 -
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Racing immediately after having raced in the VIII, this was quite a superb performance. At present it is unclear as to how Magdalene did; their time is quite infeasible.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2001 -
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Whilst some margin behind Jesus and Peterhouse, the women's IV had a good row despite Catherine rowing with an injury and were pleased to finish comfortably ahead of the majority of college crews.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2001 -
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It wasn't a terribly good row, but the guys seem to be coping ok with being beaten by the women.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2002 -
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Also raced in a IV, clocking 21:51

Back in the year 2000, Black Prince Boat Club was set up by a few old boys already missing the good old college days. Fresh in our minds were our last memories of college rowing...

... dreamy outings in May evenings, with the heat of the day subsiding and the setting sun glistening on the mirror that was the Cam. Firm pressure at 38+ seemed effortless and races were usually won with the minimum inconvenience...

The club would have simple aims - we'd meet up on summer weekends to take part in a few regattas - preferably over short distances like 500m. Early morning training or indeed winter races were only for such proletariats as can be found at so-called 'proper' clubs. This approach was initially vindicated with early success achieved at the Cam Sprints - the 400m course being particularly well-suited to the bufty style.

However, there are a couple of characteristics that can be found in all oarsmen: 1) a masochistic addiction to pain. 2) a bizarre desire to make things that could be simple, difficult.

And so in the last week in January - statistically the coldest week in the year - we entered the Head to Head, the longest race available on the river Cam. Twice.

The first installment of this madness was to be performed in a IV+ comprised of Messrs Dewire, Darley, Fisher (G), Ingram and coxed by Miss MacGregor. Immediately, the buftiness came in useful as the stone or so of lard that everyone had put on since graduating ensured that everyone managed to arrive without being blown away towards the North Sea. However, drama immediately arrived when it transpired that John Earl had forgotten that there are in fact four rowing seats in a IV and had directed us to race concurrently with the Hommers in Scylla. This was not in fact the problem that it used to be as one of the recent improvements at the club means that there are now enough functional seats to use more than one of the IV's at a time.

We pushed off and sailed (sic) down towards the marshalling area. Here, we made another discovery. There are in fact people who are too incompetent to even staff the tow truck companies in America. These people get jobs as Marshalls for the Head-to-Head. As the alleged start time of our division (10:30) elapsed we were sent down past Chesterton to wait. Once there we were rudely instructed by another incompetentee to get off the course back up to the small straight beyond Chesterton, where all the other 27 boats in the division were waiting. We found a little inlet to wait in that required only roughly first year mechanics knowledge to keep the boat still against the forces of the stream, wind, and other boats. By about 10:50 rumour had it that some boats had actually started. We got down to race kit as we watched boat number 62 (we were 63, which was bizarre given that we were 16th in the starting order) set off. Hopes were soon dashed when this boat was followed by no. 49, and then 57. Finally at 11:10 we set off for real. The first leg can probably be summed up with the fact that despite the jet-wash following us, the rate of 31 felt quite high. Ahem. Oh, and it also started to rain. Lots.

The 20 min gap between the courses flew by and was passed by Ingram and Fisher (who had both decided to fulfil oarsman-property 1 and 2 by not wearing any leggings) fighting to stand in the not inconsiderable space that is these day's Dewire-wind-shadow.

Race 2 was progressing somewhat better than race 1 and huge encouragement was felt by all as we overcame the Hommer IV fairly easily on the Southern Ocean, sorry, Reach. Encouragement soon turned to embarassment as we realised that the Hommer boat was only operating at 50% efficiency, and also 2 of their rowers were sitting out.

At the railway bridge a sneaky look around from our 3 man spotted a Jesus VIII making painstaking progress 3 lengths ahead. The ensuing Neanderthal cry of "Let's get 'em" seemed to finally awake something within and something actually resembling useful work appeared to be done. The rating was even pushed up to levels not seen in the first race despite the approximate 80 mph relative wind speed difference! If we can take away one thing from the IV it was that we did successfully 'get' a Jesus nth VIII. hmmm.

By this time, it was 12:00 which was the alleged start time of the next division, where we would be re-inforced by Messrs Micklethwaite, Ponsonby, Leake and Hogley. The Head-to-Head had become the Head-to-Head-to-Head-to-Head. A quick dash back to the boat house to fetch the VIII and some dry clothing was made. This was notable only for a seemingly cowardly effort by Fisher to 'bin' himself. I say 'seemingly' because in fact, a wipeout on the 2 inches of water on the ground resulted in a literal 'falling into a bin' rather than the usual rowing usage of the verb 'bin'.

Another dash back to the start line allowed us to get there just as they were setting off the penultimate boat - clearly the 12:00 marshalls _would_ have been fit to join T&T's in Boston. However, any potential excuse for race 1's disastrous showing being a result of the long wait on the start line was exposed as race 3 perfectly resembled race 1. This time the 20 min gap afterwards was passed being elaborately parked by a marshall. His job was made particularly difficult by the fact that he had to fit us, as the last boat, into precisely 800m of available bank.

The final battle of the day was begun with lots of good noises about showing some power and attacking it a bit and again, higher ratings were witnessed in the Head-hurricane than the tail-hurricane. Again, we passed several vessels in the Southern Ocean, including someone with a clear death-wish in a single. Mr. Darley may be completely loopy for entering an Iron Man race this summer, but even he does not attempt this sort of thing. As we reached the Railway Bridge, we were informed that the 'A' 1st and 3rd crew (actually a squad boat) were within reach. The 3.8 races to date had been fairly disastrous but here was an opportunity to salvage a modicum of pride. Several grunts, groans and even some rowing later we were alongside and enjoyed an exciting side by side burst to the Finish. Then thank ****, it was all over.

After a long defrost in the showers, sanity returned and we did what the sensible do on stormy saturdays, and retired over to the most hospitable Mr Crawford's to have tea and cake and more cake.

A later look on the Internet revealed the important result for the day: the Cambridge weather centre had recorded a peak wind speed of 44 knots (c. 50mph). The minor details revealed that the VIII had beaten most (but not all!) college 2nd VIIIs and some college 1st VIIIs. FaT were a minute slower. The IV had performed marginally better, being only 70 sec slower than the VIII over 22 min of racing and therefore only 10 sec behind the FaT VIII. However, the two town IV's were ahead, putting us 3rd out of 3. The final nail in the coffin was the realisation that the Infidel BC VIII (Girton old boys) had gone quicker than our VIII. Ouch.

So, one of the less successful or enjoyable BPBC forays, and our rose-tinted memories of rowing have been temporarily blighted, but never fear, the mighty lion should be back on form for the HORR in March. Watch this space.

Event: Winter League, 1st leg 2002 -
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Last term's novices demonstrated the improvements made so far this term in this race, in which they beat the 6 novice category crews entered. A good result with promise for later this term and the VIIIs Head of the River Race.

Event: Robinson Head 2002 -
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Simply a brilliant row from the entire crew. Stern pair, on a bit of a mission, drove the crew so hard that Isobel had to stop rowing to be physically ill even before reaching the finish.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 1st division
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Magdalene put up quite a good fight for the first half of the course, but thereafter appeared to fold spectacularly.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 1st division
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"Gonville" are Caius Boat Club old boys - Caius' version of Black Prince Boat Club. They fielded a large and undeniably experienced crew. Whilst disappointing, this was a cracking race to watch. Gonville took a couple of feet over the course of the start and the wind, but some good work thereafter saw us work our way back - drawing dead level. The two crews then raced side by side, with blades virtually touching as Andrew carefully steered our crew, racing around the outside of long reach, as close as he dared to the opposition. However, with a series of powerful pushes Gonville gradually started to draw ahead and with the slack stream doing little to impede them under the railway bridge, continued to extend their lead to the finish.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 1st division
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Being one of the first divisions on the water, the fog hadn't yet lifted and it was virtually impossible to see the bank let alone how far along the reach you were. CCAT managed to hold us to the end of the start and for a while both boats were level. We started to extend our lead to 3/4 of a length which they were unable to regain on the inside corner under the railway bridge.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 2nd division
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It came as some surprise to the see the guys moving up off the start - despite some shocking bladework!! Moreover, they quickly gained half a length's advantage, extending this to 3/4 of a length during the middle part of the race. Jesus refused to fold, however, and continued to apply the pressure - closing the gap back to 1/2 a length around their corner on the approach to the finish. However, they were denied the chance of advancing any further by their cox steering them in to our boat; heavy blade clashing saw the end of their challenge and should have been the end of their race.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 3rd division
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The 4th VIII were moving smoothly and rowing extremely well approaching the railway bridge, and had established a lead of 3/4 length over Tit Hall III. Sadly, however, disaster struck in the form of a boat stopping crab, handing over the win to Tit Hall. Whilst this was most disappointing, the crew can be well pleased with their otherwise impressive performance.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2002 - 2nd division
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The crew rowed well and held New Hall for a while - even winning back a little ground lost on the start, but as in the men's 1st VIII's 2nd race were unable to remain in contention for the 2nd half of the course.

Event: Head of the River Race 2002 -
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The crew was awarded a 10 s time penalty for failing to follow marshalling instructions - which cost about 25 places. Nevertheless, despite being a weaker boat than the Lent VIII, the crew were very disappointed with the result.

It is thought that a combination of a number of factors - changes in the crew, the time penalty, and less than perfect use of the stream in the race - could explain the large deficit to Christ's time of 19:07.

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2002 -
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This was a tight race. The CCAT pair inspected the bank briefly around first post allowing the Jons to close, but subsequently slowly pulled out a small lead of some 3 or 4 seconds. Unfortunately the Jons engaged the bank themselves moments before the finish line, resulting in the large official margin.

Event: Fairbairn Junior Sculls 2002 -
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Unfortunately John had to retire following this race with a wrist injury sustained during the training camp in Dublin

Event: Magdalene Silver Pairs 2002 -
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Tom and Henry were able to overtake Matt and Hugh when the latter crashed at First Post, and subsequently finished some 200yards infront

Event: Nottingham City Regatta 2002 - Senior4 VIIIs
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Time splits: 1.37.25, 3.19.60, 5.04.17, 6.43.59

Event: Nottingham City Regatta 2002 - Senior4 VIIIs
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Time splits: 1.36.24, 3.14.10, 4.56.12, 6.35.84

Event: Nottingham City Regatta 2002 - Senior4 IV+
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Time splits: 1.48.77, 3.41.14, 5.31.73, 7.22.22

Event: Nottingham City Regatta 2002 - Senior4 IV+
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Time splits: n/a, 3.39.01, 5.30.32, 7.20.51

Event: Bedford Regatta 2002 - College VIIIs
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The crew maintained a solid 36 for both races of the day, and whilst unhappy with the results, were otherwise pleased with their rows.

Event: Bedford Regatta 2002 - Novice VIIIs
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This was a good solid row, once we had established a lead.

Event: Bedford Regatta 2002 - Novice VIIIs
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This was a personal grudge battle after last term and fantastic to row in and cross the line first!

Event: Bedford Regatta 2002 - College VIIIs
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Exeter seemed to work harder in the first part of the race than they had in the Novice VIIIs competition, starting from behind on the inside line and drawing level. It was only from about half way that we were able to begin pushing ahead - another good race and a pleasing win.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2002 -
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I took the BPBC entry and came 3rd of 6 men's scullers. Only 30 secs off the pace, I was underrating and should have gone quicker. Oh well, still a minute quicker over 2 heads compared to last year, in similar conditions.

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - College lower VIIIs
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Beat CCAT comfortably, despite spacking at the start. (Think 'Buffaloes' rather than 'Gazelles'.)

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - College lower VIIIs
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Slightly cruelly the 5th boat had to content with the 3rd boat, who, it turned out, were on a bit of a mission. This was mainly a success for the Lower Boats Captains ability to select crews! To be fair, 5 looked very solid and have improved alot this term. They remain committed and enthusiastic and are a pleasure to coach.

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - College lower VIIIs
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A comfortable win.

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - College lower VIIIs
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A caterpillar-like start didn't bode well for the crew, although Jo, their new novice cox, should be congratulated on some superb coxing - not bad for her 3rd outing!

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - Men's IVs
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We narrowly beat Black Prince by a canvas after some incredible spacking off the start, no time on the slide and a lot of water being propelled vertically.

Event: Cam Sprints 2002 - Novice IV+
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The 2nd IV had a good row but unfortunately were not able to match the strength of City A.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 2nd division
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A somewhat tense start led to a slightly rocky but comfortable row. The margin was 2 1/2 lengths (approximately), although we had taken the pressure down a bit before the finish.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 2nd division
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Somewhat better row than vs Tit Hall, with a slightly stronger headwind. Took till after the surge to move out in front, but still comfortably ahead before the railway bridge.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 2nd division
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The Darwin crew had enough subs in university kit to look like a top college, but the rowing didn't match the insignia (or maybe it did!?). 1st & 3rd lost about 1/4 length off the start but by the railway bridge had moved 3/4 length in front and held this round the outside of the railway bridge corner to finish with clear water. Rowing looked together if perhaps a little lacking in sharpness.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 3rd division
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A good row to the railway bridge where they were a length up, but the pace seemed to sag a bit after that (though they continued to extend their lead).

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 3rd division
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Got a bye through Round 1 due to Jesus III scratching, therefore couldn't get into the Plate competition.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2002 - 3rd division
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The opposition were supposed to be Jesus III, but given the absence of Jesus II in the W2 division, it is not entirely clear which crew it was. In any case, though, they won comfortably, which was disappointing after our pleasing win against Darwin in the 1st round.

Event: 2nd Trinity Challenge Sculls 2002 - Shell
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14th of 15 men's shells

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2002 - Invitation VIIIs
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Official time - 13:06

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2002 - 1st division
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Fastest in the heats in 12:14.8

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2002 - 1st division
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6th place in the heats in 15:35.0

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2003 - 1st division
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Caius, starting Head of the Lent Bumps 2 places ahead of our crew, went margingally faster on the 1st Leg, but were dispatched in the 2nd to finish 10 seconds down.

LMBC start one place ahead in the Lent Bumps, but entered matched crews so it is not easy to deduce much about their prospects.

Event: Newnham Short Course 2003 - 2nd division
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A good performance from the 2nd VIII. Had they avoided the scrap with a barge they could perhaps have challenged for the M2 win.

Event: Cuppers Karting 2003 -
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First and Third entered a team in the inaugural Cuppers Karting competition last year and were delighted to walk away with an unexpected yet comfortable win. With the competition now entering its second year, however, it was clear from the outset that the stakes had been raised somewhat. A bullish Selwyn team, headed by the race organiser, Keith Collantine, were brandishing such punch lines as 'OBLIGATORY TRINITY BASHING' and 'wipe the floor...' doing little to conceal the determination with which the various University karting stars and others would be denying us the double.

Nevertheless, we approached the event with a quiet optimism. Our tactics, tried and tested last year and now honed to a new level of perfection would surely reward us with at least a chance of the podium. The team welcomed two new members; JPD and Dr Peck were joined by John Earl, whose countless hours of virtual race experience would surely bestow on him the same speed and consistency as Glass last year, and John Rudge, First and Third boatie turned Automobile Club President, claiming to be 'alright'. Conditions were again damp - further raising our hopes that a careful and consistent showing from all four team members would again give us every chance of overpowering the often stunning but occasionally erratic performance of the race favourites.

In the half hour qualifying we soon posted a time worthy of 2nd place, but decided to let rookie John Earl practice for most of the latter part of the session - during which time a series of fast laps from several other teams put us down to 8th on the grid. A hitherto confident John Rudge seemed increasingly nervous and so Dr Peck was promoted from 3rd to 1st leg of the two hour race to attempt a repeat of JMG's fine performance last year. MCP was the model of consistency, driving carefully past the inevitable series of stationary vehicles and increasing in speed as his confidence and mastery of the circuit increased. However, it soon became clear that his efforts were woefully inadequate; despite gradually reducing his lap times from 68 to 65 seconds (within 1 second of the fastest lap of the race so far), he only climbed to third or fourth place and was lapped by Selwyn, the race leaders. With 30 minutes elapsed he was duly called in and rolled into the pits on cue - a marked improvement on his abysmal pit stop strategy of last year. Nevertheless, hopes were high that Mr Earl would improve our placing against the undoubtedly weaker 2nd men (and women) of our opponents.

JWE's performance was soon cause for concern. He did not appear to be travelling all that quickly, instead resembling an elderly lady with a supermarket trolley. Plugging on with determination but little else he did successfully avoid major incident - choosing instead to brake sharply every now and again to allow the next car to pass. A crash 20 minutes into his stint left him looking very shaky and it was not much longer before JPD suggested we should "get him out of there". Despite lapping some 10 to 15 seconds slower than Peck, we had somehow remained in 3rd, leaving our hopes resting on John 'unknown quantity' Rudge instead. Mr Rudge performed well, soon reducing his consistent lap times to around 69 seconds. We were not making up ground on the leading Selwyn team, but neither were they extending their lead - now hovering at just less than one lap.

With 40 minutes remaining, it was time to unleash our secret weapon. Last year its awesome power had not been fully utilised, but this time around we were lying in 3rd with a great deal still to do. In red with bright white stripes, a gleaming white helmet and resembling to some extent JPD, it was deployed, and with devastating effect. Merely 5 minutes later Selwyn and hitherto 2nd placed Churchill emerged from their final pit stops to find themselves demoted and some 20 seconds adrift - and Trinity's kart number 1 heading the leader board.

An occasionally glimpse, a flash of red, and white, powering effortlessly through droves of hapless amateurs as if they weren't even there (no mean feat). A 63 second lap. A chequered flag. A rousing cheer from the pit lane. A comfortable win by one and a half laps.

And Champagne.

Event: Robinson Head 2003 - 1st division
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The Lent VIII won by the narrowest of margins over Caius (1 s), but thereby remain unbeaten on the Cam this term.

Event: May Bumps 2003 - Friday
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Members of LMBC are advised to check the photo gallery.

Event: May Bumps 2003 - Thursday
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from the Cambridge Evening News (Friday 13th)
"Lower down in the men's second division, 1st & 3rd Trinity II looked likely to be toppled by Wolfson when the latter overlapped them by 10ft at the Railway Bridge and steadily came across the river. However, they failed to get close enough for contact and the crew behind, Lady Margaret II who had closed to within half a length, seized their chance. In a dramatic minute, they caught Wolfson at Peter's Post just as 1st & 3rd scrambled clear."

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2004 - 1st division
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From Andy Yu's blog:

"Tonight is one of the greatest nights I have had in Cambridge

I was rowing for the Trinity Boat club Mens' First Crew (The Trinity College boat club is called the First and Third Boat Club due to historical reasons which I do not fully comprehend) in the Queen's Ergs Competition against all the other colleges. We won overall in the heats and we got into the finals.

Before the finals the 8 of us were so nervous as Selwyn(another college) were only 5 seconds behind us in the heats and if we do lose in the finals, we will be so gutted.

So we went in, still feeling slightly deprived of energy from our heats. The atmosphere was static, the supporters cheered, Trinity scarves flew and swayed~ And the race started........Throughout the race we were not overtaken by any other teams, but it was really close, Selwyn and Churchill and Maggie (St. John's boat club called Lady Margarat's Boat Club, aka scum kaka we are customary rivals =P) were hot on our heels.

And the last few seconds, we were like Oy My God, we are gonna win......and we jumped and jumped and hugged, nearly collapsing onto the floor out of exhaustion and joy.......................

Anyway, got a shiny silvery beer mug thing with 'Queen's Ergs 2004 Fastest Crew', so happy ar......cos of all the pain and teamwork paid off and the team spirit was gripping."

Event: University IVs 2007 - Light IVs
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From Travisty:

"How hard is winning? My mantra is that every race is harder than the last, and it's never been more true. So let me begin a tale of sorrow and woe. In the first term we row in fours rather than eights. A boat half as big needs twice as much refinement and subtlety. It's a challenge, and many crews fall apart (or worse). At the start of November, the top colleges race in the coxless four, steered by a rower looking in the wrong direction. Trinity, naturally, has the only person in the university capable of doing this. The trouble was that Dan had spent his summer drinking and surfing rather than training, and had to be relegated to the second boat, a coxed four. So we got the charming and affable Bryn to do it. The preparation was careful, with much time spent distinguishing "left" from "right", andcalculating how to fit his unusually muscular physique into a narrow racing boat. The race itself is pretty simple: 2800 metres head to head with St John's. We'd established a lead of 5 seconds before finding out what Bryn had up his sleeve. Rejecting the usual convention of rowing in the middle of the river, he preferred to take short cuts through a 50 tonne barge and the railway bridge. The latter was more controversial, and resulted in a boat stopping crab, which left us firmly in second place with only 800m to go. The response was devastating, a lung busting sprint to the line at 37 strokes per minute. We won, but only only just. Dan's coxed four was more convincing, winning comfortably and stylishly. Celebration over, we were left to ponder the irony that swapping the two men would have made both boats faster.

- Tom Coker"

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2008 - 1st division
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Total race time has been calculated as 8 x average split - to facilitate approximate comparison with the results archive

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2008 - 2nd division
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Total race time has been calculated as 8 x average split - to facilitate approximate comparison with results archive