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All race reports for Laurence Carr

Event: Robinson Head 2006 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
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We decided on around rate 28-30 before the race, we wound it up to 33ish... and there it stayed! Rich kindly letting us carry like that.

Better coxing and better technique saw us make a huge improvement after Short Course, with a couple more weeks of coaching and a better boat... We should cause some mayhem come bumps :D

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Tuesday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

As we rowed up we saw Downing looking scruffy in non-matching kit and what looked like an antique of a boat, we were confident and rightly so. We gained half a length after the wind and we were into a push as soon as the stride! WE could've bumped slightly quicker since Rich decided to row along side them!! However the bump was inevitable and after a blade clash we got the bump just after the motorway bridge!

More of the same tomorrow...

Ra Ra First and Third!!

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Wednesday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Wasn't feeling well so wanted a quick bump... and we got it, 25 or so strokes, on the first corner before the motorway bridge... Well done guys! More of the same tomorrow!

As an extra their cox got a fine for not conceeding, mwahaha!!

Event: City Sprints 2006 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Lorry
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Draw 1.. Draw 2.. They crash into us; Hold It Up; We Win...

Not much more to it than that.

Event: City Sprints 2006 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Lorry
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We had seen FaT B lose to these guys... But we weren't put off, a fairly spacky but brutal race and we cross the line victorious! Also elated about having done better than the FaT B boat!

A good row, well done guys!

Event: City Sprints 2006 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

We were never expecting to win this... Rich took probably too agressive a line we clashed and they just took us on the last 50m before that we were keeping fairly level (as far as I could see).

All in all it was a great race and I'm sure we far exceeded anybodies epectations, especially our own!

Brilliant rowing guys! Maybe next time...

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2006 - Men's lower division
Posted as: Lorry
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I do apologise for that, but giving it my all to stop Wolfson pipping us at the post didn't fare too well!

Would have liked to have tried the next round, but was certain I would have blacked out :S:S

Event: Newnham Short Course 2006 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: L. Carr
Event Link

The 4th VIII may have beaten us but we're better than them really!It was a good row for our first race in this crew, couple of points to sort out, but otherwise well done guys!

Chaos on the way back as we tried to pull over onto the far side of the river in order to replace the womens dodgy cox-box. Boats at all angles before we eventually managed to pass it across!

Event: Lent Bumps 2007 - Tuesday
Posted as: Lorry
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Phew, that was close, didn't expect Disney to be quite so slow. But we managed to get Peterhouse before they managed to convert, we rule!

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2007 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
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Sweet rowing, best start of the day and we just didn't really want to stride, going over the course rating at least 36 we just wanted it too much, a pleasing end to a good days racing!

Event: Lent Bumps 2007 - Saturday
Posted as: Lorry
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For me the first day sealed our result, having hit Peterhouse it was just a set of clinical bumps on crews we were simply better than. If we missed them it would've been just an up three, which nobody likes ;).

I would like to thank Seb, David, Neil and Pete for their wonderful coaching, Iain for pushing us out, Graham for subbing on saturday, Emma for some great coxing and the rest of the crew for pulling their weight (except maybe bow pair :P)

Good job guys!

Event: Radegund Mile Head Race 2007 - College VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
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Beaten by Jesus (presumably 1st or 1st/2nd VIII) who got 5:22 after predicting 4:50.

We were 4 seconds quicker than our guess, I guess I shouldn't have tried so hard...

Although it seemed like a few people were going for the predicted time rather than the fastest...

Event: Head of the Cam 2007 - Men's Other Mays
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

With a wide range of previous experience including a couple of new novices this was a real gutsy performance.

They started ahead of a fairly neat looking 99's crew (including our esteemed coach Mr. Ingram). As the crew behind started to catch up with us, the boys put in a realy effort to hold them off, as the boat speed picked up massively from the pink house to Morley's Holt.

Unfortunately the 99's crew finally overtook, with a quick looking fitz II following and this was too much for the guys, their massive push having taken it's toll and the frustration of two crews overtaking them in a short space of time meant that for the last couple of hundred metres the heads dropped and the focus went.

All in all a great effort from the guys, over a long course, for the first race of term, a great effort, if you can get that speed to repel crews behind... bring on mays :D

Event: Head of the Cam 2007 - 1st division
Posted as: Lorry
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Meh, there's potential... But we need more than that, hard works starts now.

Event: LMBC erg champs 2007 - Men's Lower
Posted as: Lorry
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falling off probably didn't help, but we won by a convincing margin :) bring on bumps

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2007 - 1st division
Posted as: Lorry
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ditto

Event: City Sprints 2007 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Lorry
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oh how much better they were than us... we just gunned it and stayed ahead, just :)

Event: City Sprints 2007 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Lorry
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give us a week in a four and we'd have them

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Wednesday
Posted as: Lorry
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This was one of the most unfortunate races I've watched.

You guys were eating up Disney much faster than King's were gaining on you. A seat failure just before the motorway-bridge stopped you gaining and allowed Kings to get withing a canvas. Once back on the seat a push of gargantuan proportions held off kings and brought you closer to Disney, but the damage had already been done and the bump was conceded. Great rowing, more of the same tomorrow.

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Wednesday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Congrats, Christs had some very optimistic whistles, but only really came up to 3/4s of a length before you held them off at a length for the rest of the race, gradually wearing down Tit Hall the bumps was clinical. Well done!

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Thursday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

2nd VIII headship
3rd VIII headship
4th VIII headship
5th VIII headship

One more to go...

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Saturday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Training for the 5th VIII consisted of the "10" outings required before bumps, with four guys who didn't have the time (or effort :P) to commit to the 3rd VIII joining some of our lower boat squad (including one novice) to form an VIII.

The outings before bumps looked promising, with the guys holding things together nicely, and as the highest 5th VIII on the river they had some hard work to do.

On the first day, chasing Disney II, being chased by a very fast Kings II. This day was the deciding day, closing to withing half a length off Disney before disaster struck and getting bumped.

From then on they just got in the way of various fast crews all going for their blades. Had they had slightly better fortune on the first day then they may have been able to go up 2 or 3. But that's how bumps goes and they just got really unlucky. Lesson learnt. I hope you all at least had fun and that you will all continue rowing next year.

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Saturday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Coming from a very successful lents campaign we knew we had a lot to live up too. This time competing in the 1st division as opposed to the middle of the 2nd division. As the training this term went on, we never really found the togetherness and our rowing was continually scrappy, as JPD cast a new pair of eyes on us things started to change, but many of us feared it was too little too late.

During exams we had some outing's in IV's which frankly ended up being a waste of time, and with only 3/4 outings left before bumps the was doubt if we were going to be fast enough to be a worthy competitor. However the monday of bumps week, something happened, finishes were together, catches quick and we were actually rowing! Things might not be so bad after all.

First day of bumps, the big race, Caius II ahead. We knew that there were big names in that boat, a fair few uni medals, but they'd not had many outings together. However, on the start line we are informed W1 have to re-row and that Lillie is not going to be able to cox, and luckily Jenners was given permission to cox our race.

Jenny happily coxed her 50th race, a race which went nicely to plan, slowly grinding down Caius II before getting the bump coming onto the reach, we were ecstatic :) we had done it. All the hard work payed off, but we still had 3 more days to go, and Fitz men were quick and on the way up.

Day 2 saw some of our worst rowing as a crew, pushes weren't together and we didn't cope at all well with the shoddy weather, barely making any distance on Magdalene we were all miserable and pissed off as we came back to the boat house, a new plan was to be thought of. So on day 3 we decided that the best plan would be for us to go off hard, and race to grassy, hoping that we could hit Magdalene before Fitz got us... What can I say, we simply flew, hitting them on first post corner, and pushing Fitz back to over 2 lengths down, it was a great feeling to have bumped to 15th in the 1st division, words cannot describe how pleased we were with this result...

With one last day to go, chasing Christs II (with that horrible lycra) we wanted it bad. With the same plan as yesterday we absolutely went for it, and Christs were hit in the gut. Cue enourmous celebrations... The highest FaT 2nd VIII since 1959, we are legends.

None of this would've been possible without JPD and seb coaching us, they have been amazing, especially seb's contiuing support of the club, he is one of our best asset's. I want to also that CUCBC for letting Lillie cox and row without any fuss (and for letting Jenner's cox, despite them not letting Lillie cox that race :( ) And everybody else in the crew for giving it everything and putting up with my silly front lean :) To next year guys!

Event: Robinson Head 2007 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

sweet, beat caius m1

we officially rule

Event: University IVs 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

At the boat house, we could all think of millions of places we'd all rather be. We were armed with two outing as our crew and a lack of optimism.

Knowing Christ's had decided to send out their IV's ten times a day meant we had little hope of staying in front of them much past the motorway bridge. When as we were marshalling the heaven's open and we just got wet and cold and even more miserable. Our race plan of settling into 28-30 seemed like a big ask.

Onto the race, the draw stroke were simply shit.. no other way to describe it, however we wound it up to about 38 before surging to 34... which we maintained! At the Plough I felt like death, but coming round the reach where there was a lack of a huge headwind I felt my second wind. A push of epic proportions pushed us away from Christ's however they simply were a faster boat, the two boat stopping incidents just before the line meant the margin is bigger than it should of been, but otherwise the race was great! Simply exceeding all of our expectations.

Well done guys, we should all be proud of this today.

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2006 - 1st division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Firstly a thank you two our super subs from the rugby team who pulled some amazing times although slighly dubious technique.

The rest of you were amazing, with some real commitment and great times. A great start to the term, and hopefully a good base on which to build before Clare's and Fairbairn's.

On another note, you beat LMBC (St John's) 1st's but not their seconds, methinks they had the wrong crews, but basically you're better than the scum!

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

These guys are neither the biggest or the strongest guys, however as I told them before the race, they were racing for themselves, to do the best they could do and with most of them pulling personal bests I think they took these words to heart and really gave it everything they could!

Well done guys.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2006 - Student Novice VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Caius II were 30 seconds faster than us...
But we were rowing in a bathtub.
They've been in that crew for 5 weeks, we have for 5 minutes.
The wind picked up a fair amount by the afternoon.

Ah well, can always make excuses, but it was a good row apart from the wind and a crab 5 strokes from the line, committed power and consistent rhythm.

Event: Emma Sprints 2006 -
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

The less said about the start the better, basically stroke side pull a lot harder the bow side, and being in Richard Church this is never a good thing. We plowed straight into them off the start, yet they continued rowing, despite everybody yelling to hold it up from the bank.

After this carnage clare went on for an easy win, however once we sorted ourselves out and started rowing in a straight line we at least stayed level with them, could have been a close race!

Event: Emma Sprints 2006 -
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

My little gift of cookies got us half a length, but due to the wind this was more like a canvas, well, the wind and the curse of Richard Church meant we both plowed into each other at the start, so we had a restart which we managed to go straight on! We were about 3/4 a length up when they started pushing back, however calls of push from Oli and the bank meant that we started to pull away, looking almost a length ahead it seemed we had cracked Homerton... Then a crab, sorted out after 3 or 4 strokes but we never found that power or rhythm again, homerton took advantage and rowed on for a length victory, we rowed though guys, we'll be a force to be reckoned with in fairbairns!

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2006 - Plate
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Clare B didn't look like much, we thought we could take them.

Their start was good, ours was rubbish, but from then on we just rowed much quicker than them. However a crab at 4 which lasted approximately 400m meant that they gained a good 7-8 lengths on us. We pushed back, gained a couple of lengths, but general spackiness and too great a deficit meant we didn't have a chance. Crabs do happen, just learn to sort them out!!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
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you beat LMBC 1, Downing 1 and Caius 1...

Bwahahaha!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Well, the lack of outings had by these guys meant that I was slightly skeptical about how they might do. But when push came to shove they all tried there hardest, gave some of the best rowing I've seen from these guys all term. A mini disaster around chesterton aside, a really good race and I hope to see you all rowing bumps next year! Now go out and get really really drunk!

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2006 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

The wind picked up in the afternoon, but not enough to give us 40 seconds.

With me ill and a last minute sub for magnus we probably weren't in the best position to race, nevertheless we tried our hardest and were happy with the result.

In response to emma, yes it was some of our best rowing, but if I was well i could've given 10-20% more.

And I would've given anything to have beaten Caius :P

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2007 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Good solid race only hampered slightly by the wind. Beat everybody in our division comfortably, and also Peterhouse who we're chasing in bumps.

Woo pots! Me and Martin have them if you want them.

Event: Head of the Nene 2007 - Novice VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

All I'm going to say is that it was technically a rather poor race, but the power and rate stayed high so we moved fairly quickly. Peterhouse and Jesus II were faster than us, but we had a few subs in our boat. So this friday let's show Peterhouse what to expect come bumps with a good performance in Robinson!

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2007 - 2nd division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Well, we beat the scum, but our hearts weren't really in it all the way, effectively stopping putting power down once a length up. Much to learn, but hey, we beat them!

Event: Head of the Nene 2008 - Senior3 VIIIs
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

We were entered in nov 8+'s... so why our result was s3 i guess we shall never know (would've come 2nd, so it doesn't really matter)

PS Good row, luckily bumps is only 2k

PPS I apologise to the Clare 4 man, you need to work the guns.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2008 - 1st division
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Surely the sparring will come on day 3/4 of bumps... Bring it on!

Event: Lent Bumps 2008 - Thursday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

Can somebody take photos of us please!

Event: Lent Bumps 2008 - Friday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

One of my best bumps ever... I'd almost convinced myself that Maggie were about as fast as us, and we'd need more than a short sprint to get them, turns out we're better/they're worse than I thought, so a very pleasing bump :)

Event: Lent Bumps 2008 - Saturday
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-NAzghBU4&feature=user

courtesy of selwyn bc :)

Event: Champion of the Thames Eights Head 2009 - Men's 3rd Div. Mays
Posted as: Lorry
Event Link

If the race was only to Ditto corner, we may have won... Lots of room for improvement!