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All race reports for Sarah Taylor

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Open 1x
Posted as: Sarah
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Martin did worry me when he got in and pushed off. He was looking very confident, while I was still on the bank struggling to move my footplate and not fall in.

I was very surprised therefore to pull away from him off the start and maintain my lead. This was in no way a reflection of my sculling technique though. By halfway through the 400m sprint the lactate had built up, though unfortunately this was in my arms and not my legs.

Note to self (in JPD stylee) - Learn to scull properly.

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Open 1x
Posted as: Sarah
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This one was definitely a foregone conclusion.

Event: May Bumps Getting-on Race 2003 -
Posted as: Sarah
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Recipe for getting on to Bumps - no outings, no training, no early mornings, no weights, no matching kit, no cox box, one race.

On the row down we found a relaxed rhythm at 26. In the race of course we could not settle for relaxation, so went over at 29. Two crabs and a seat failure later, we are on to the bumps. Rah Rah First and Third!

Event: Head of the Cam 2004 - Women's Other Mays
Posted as: Sarah
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A fantastic start to the term and not a bad race either! A bit frantic at the start, but pushing through the corners saw us gain on Disney and pull away from Caius B. A well timed ratio shift on the Reach refocused our power and the push for the finish was solid and together. Pennants!!!

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2004 - 2nd division
Posted as: Sarah
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9:39 down; 12:14 up

Event: Drumps 2005 - Monday
Posted as: Sarah
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Yes, i remember 2001 too. I think JW was the marshall in JPD's room on the disgusting creamy Bailey's substitute. Also, I think Rosie might have ended up marshalling too as she was ill. Starting to go round the rooms for the second time was very, very painful. And the last drink was gin - yuk.

Event: RTT Regatta 2005 - Couples Doubles
Posted as: Sarah
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Unlike our oppositon, John and I had actually been out in a double a couple of times in the past, but seeing as the outings usually ended in arguments, I'm not sure if they can be counted as effective training and thus cheating for this regatta.

Our burst at 'race pace' on the way to the start soon made it apparent that we were likely to go faster rating 16 with me actually doing something, rather than rating 22 with me spacking for Britain (and possibly the States too) and John doing all the boat moving. He wasn't convinced, so we settled at a semi-highish rate off the start and soon pulled away, though the rowing was far better when we had settled back to a lower one.

On the way back to the boathouse I actually figured out how to scull (not over-reaching works wonders) and we finally had it going pretty nicely. John has even suggested we try going for a few more outings, but minus the arguments this time. Hopefully.

Event: RTT Regatta 2005 - Open 1x
Posted as: Sarah
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An awful start and near swimming incident saw me at least a length down after about 2 strokes. Once I'd got it back together, I managed to slowly row through Mike, clash blades on the way and then sit behind him so he was rowing in my wash. This was in no way a tactical manouevere on my part - inability to steer meant I didn't really do the bend in the Reach, hence ended up his side!

Event: RTT Regatta 2005 - Open 1x
Posted as: Sarah
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This is the first time I've had a proper race in a single and I really enjoyed it. I had to work very hard off the start to take the lead and then maintain it and was just managing to hold on as Erica was coming back at me towards the end, when there was loads of yelling from the bank. I thought they were just cheering us on and telling me to steer (I had again failed to take the bend on the Reach) until I realised I was about to plough straight into a double who had kindly waited for our race to finish. Managed to miss them and apologised.

Event: RTT Regatta 2005 - Open 1x
Posted as: Sarah
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There was no way I was going to win this one, but crabbing and hitting the bank on stroke one didn't help. I was determined to go on the 'At' of 'Attention', but John said 'AttentionGo' so fast I got all flustered and messed up. Eton Boy graciously stopped for a re-row, which I did from a rolling start and he joined in when it was sporting. He also sportingly rowed alongside me for a while, before disappearing off into the distance.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2005 - Women's Lower Division
Posted as: Sarah
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And thanks to Emily for swapping the two seat for the coxes one and trying her hardest to cox in English for the afternoon!

Event: Head of the Charles 2005 - Club VIIIs
Posted as: Sarah
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We finally managed to have an outing as the racing crew on the Friday afternoon in glorious sunshine under a cloudless sky. Unfortunately this was not to hold and the weather for the two days of racing was distinctly more grey, wet and windy, but luckily blowing with us rather than against us.

We had a good solid row which, as bow number 46, included being overtaken by 48 (47 had scratched) who then cut in front of us. Bron had nowhere to go (cue lots of shouting) as we were simultaneously in the process of overtaking 45. Who were themselves overtaking 44. We managed to overtake them both through the middle and get to Weeks Bridge first so Bron could have the line she wanted around the sharp bowside corner immediately after the bridge. 49 then closed in the final stage of the race, but emptying the tank ensured we didn't get overtaken.

All in all a very enjoyable race, except the overpowering fried dough smell half way down the course. Many thanks to everyone who has subbed during the training (especially Rich for trying to row like a girl ;-), everyone who lent us kit, Lizzie for her cox box, MIT for the equipment, Amy for agreeing to row at the last minute, everyone who let us stay on their floors and the boys for cheering very loudly.