All race reports for Gonzalo Garcia
Event: University IVs 2009 - 1st division
Posted as: Gonzo
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Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2009 - 1st division
Posted as: Gonzo
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Definitely won the award for prettiest rowing :-).
Garrod (below), how inappropriate.
Event: Head of the Nene 2010 - IM2 VIIIs
Posted as: Gonzo
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Event: Lent Bumps 2010 - Thursday
Posted as: Gonzalo 'Blade' Garcia
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Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2010 - Men's 1st Mays
Posted as: Gonzo
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Before boating, we had agreed upon a seriously aggressive first leg without holding back on the rate - something that I at first thought was a little risky given our lack of practice, but it turned out to work just fine.
The first leg we agreed was "satisfactory" - we went out there and got down the course with plenty of aggression and not too much spacking. However, it still fell short of what we wanted to achieve - although everyone's attitude and approach was spot on, we let ourselves down round the corners by letting the boat roll around too much under us and not responding quickly enough.
The second leg was much better. Although we had less in the tank and had the stream to deal with, we made good use of the tailwind and kept it reasonably neat. This, together with spectacular lines from Emma (particularly round first post) ensured we kept the crew behind at bay until we got to the long reach, where a big wind for the line saw us pull away.
A promising start to the term, beating both Robinson and Churchill M1s. However, still lots of work to be done, with which we will hopefully find plenty more speed, and with any luck provide stronger competition for Emma and Fitz come Week 8.
Event: May Bumps 2010 - Wednesday
Posted as: Gonzo
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Hopefully tomorrow we can throw Churchill into the mix for some variety!
Event: Henley Royal Regatta 2010 - Temple Cup
Posted as: Blazing Queens' was fun
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We'll make up those 2 seconds next year!
Event: Fairbairn Cup 2010 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: Gonzo
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Event: Lent Bumps 2011 - Wednesday
Posted as: Gonzo
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Let's have another 10 successes tomorrow.
Event: Head of the Cam 2011 - 1st division
Posted as: Gonzo
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Event: May Bumps 2011 - Wednesday
Posted as: Gonzo
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There was some excitement post-bump, as we managed to swing Churchill round so that they were blocking the river, but despite Homerton's best efforts no-one was injured.
Hopefully tomorrow will go similarly. Up and up we go (hopefully!)!
Event: May Bumps 2011 - Wednesday
Posted as: Gonzo
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Credit to Christ's for a clinical performance. Some evasive steering on our part bought us an extra 10 strokes or so, but unfortunately we just didn't have the power to get away.
Plan for tomorrow: row over ahead of Churchill. Having sparred with them earlier in term, we know that our speeds are similar - it should be an interesting race to watch!
Event: Pembroke Regatta 2013 - 3rd division
Posted as: Gonzo
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On the row up to the marshalling position, we played around with crew order and sides, to accommodate our lack of natural bowsiders. It became quickly clear that putting me on the wrong side was potentially an error, as I nearly crabbed on the first practice start. How embarrassing.
Anyway, the start during the race itself was a bit smoother (I didn't dare attempt to feather until stroke 5 or so, which probably helped). Once we went into our wind, it became clear that we were all over Caius, taking a seat every two or three strokes. Some great calls from Tony saw that we pushed right through them seat by seat, and then finished them off by putting in a big ten for clear water.
At this point I blew up pretty hard. My lungs were deeply unhappy with the whole affair, in particular the cold air, and decided they had had enough. I think Adam had a similar experience - I don't know who's idea it was to put us in stern pair! Fortunately though, by then the race was largely over, and we just sat about a length clear of Caius all the way through to the finish line.
Textbook race really. Great coxing, and great determination from the crew, putting in the big pushes when they were needed. Still a bit more sharpness to come too, particularly around the front end, so hopefully FaT M3 will only be getting faster in the run-up to Bumps.
Event: Pembroke Regatta 2013 - 3rd division
Posted as: Gonzo
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This was incorrect. Clare had a pretty solid start, and although we moved up a few seats off the first 10 strokes or so, we didn't quite finish them off like we had done with Caius. However, some more nicely-timed calls from Tony saw that by the time we reached the Railway Bridge, we had opened up some clear water. The row to the line was very nice, with good length and a good push off the bridge. And having been a bit warmer at the start than I had been for the previous race, I didn't blow up this time, which was a nice bonus.
A very well-deserved victory for the crew, despite having to carry me down the course. I look forward to seeing lots of yellow smilies from M3 next week.
Event: May Bumps 2013 - Thursday
Posted as: Gonzo
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Event: Lent Bumps 2014 - Thursday
Posted as: Gonzo
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