Race Reports by User

Find Rower Enter/edit crews

All race reports for Amelia Russell

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Wednesday
Posted as: Lardy
Event Link

We had a nice row up to the start, despite having had a slight earlier panic about whether Margot (who the 3rd VIII were using) would be back in time, which she was, and had a couple of minutes after spinning to relax and focus.
We were slightly unprepared for the gun, and as a result did not get quite as good a start as we would have liked, but we soon settled into a nice rhythm and prepared to bump Downing.
For quite a while there were screams from the bank telling us that Downing were fading and kippering and spannering, but despite this there were no hooters, and no stern to be seen!!
It then became apparent that in fact Downing had overbumped in front of us, and we then realised that a row-over was going to be necessary. Jesus took a very good line around the corners and gradually started to come up on us, and at the top of the reach they were only about a canvas away. We gritted our teeth and kept going, but their boat got ever and ever closer, as we both zig-zagged down the reach. They had overlap on us for a lot of the way, but due to Chris' excellent coxing and our determination, along with cries of 'you can do it, you are better than them, you are stronger than them!!' every time a bump seemed almost inevitable, we managed to pull away just enough to avoid it. After what seemed like forever, we were told that we only had 15 strokes to go, and we all gave it everything we had left. I don't think I have ever been more relieved than when I saw Simon Blackburn's arm coming down as our stern passed under the railway bridge, confirming our row-over.
Tomorrow we have the joys of whatever rubbish Downing overbumped down to us; we'll show them just what we're made of!!

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Thursday
Posted as: Lardy
Event Link

We had a pretty good start, but did not wind as high as we perhaps could have done, and therefore did not take much, if anything, off Homerton II at the start. Jesus IV behind us were bumped by Girton II just under the motorway bridge, and from then on all we had to concentrate on was the bump.
As much as we pushed, we never really closed Homerton down to less than a length, except at one point past Grassy when apparently we were within 2/3rds length.
Once we were beyond the railway bridge, there was nothing chasing us at all, and we were still striving to catch Homerton up. However, in the end, the bump eluded us, and again we had an exhausting row-over right up to the line.

Tomorrow we have a fast Girton crew chasing who will be hoping to bump us, but if we start well and push away into Homerton, hopefully we'll be rowing home with greenery. :)

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Friday
Posted as: Lardy
Event Link

Now what did I say yesterday about greenery . . . :)
Well, this is going to be brief. We span at the lock on the 4 minute gun, prepared ourselves and were pushed out, ready to face the opposition.
We got a much better start than on the previous 2 days, winding to 43(!) - thanks Lara - and settled well. Pretty much as soon as we had settled into our race rhythm, our bank party were tooting their hooters. Despite a couple of minor mishaps (airstrokes, falling off seat etc - let's not worry about those), the hooters continued, as we reeled the Homerton boat in. First one hooter, then two, then three, then continuous, all in the space of under a minute, and before we had really started our race it was over with the wonderful sound of 'hold it up!'
Yes, we bumped!! Somewhere between the Motorway Bridge and First Post Corner. Yippee!!
Margot's bow unfortunately took a bit of a beating from the bank (sorry, Iain), but it was for a good cause. We adorned ourselves with greenery and had a nice relaxed row home - a much longer row home than we have been used to, but hey, that's bumping for you (I'm certainly not complaining). :)

Tomorrow, Girton II ahead of us (they overbumped today) will provide some tough opposition, but we CAN get them. If they happen to bump out before we've got them, we'll be going for the overbump on Pembroke II (I think). Bring it on!!!!

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Saturday
Posted as: Lardy
Event Link

We rowed over. I will write more once I have had a shower and a bit of sleep. Ra ra ra!!

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Friday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Unfortunately Catz were a much faster crew, and despite our efforts, they got us just past the motorway bridge. :(

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Thursday
Posted as: Lardy
Event Link

We had a slight 3-way crew change today due to a 1st viii rower being unable to row, and therefore Jenny was moved up for today's races and we had a sub (on the wrong side!) which involved some alterations to crew order.

However, once the t-shirts had also been swapped so that the numbers were in the correct order once more, all seemed generally much happier, and we set off to row up to the start.

Our practice starts were solid and pretty quick, and the row up was generally together and powerful.

Once we'd spun, the time seemed to run out very quickly and before we knew it, we were racing again (hang on - didn't we do this yesterday?!). The start was better than yesterday, and we pushed into Queens' to reduce the distance to a length. However, Jesus behind us were also closing.

Unfortunately, a blade popped out of its gate in First Post Reach which led to a rather major crabbing incident. Soon Jesus' bows were all to close for comfort, and despite a gutsy, if a little desperate, push from the remaining 6 rowers, we were sadly bumped.

Being Jesus meant they weren't allowed greenery however - ha. This slightly sweetened the blow for me at least. ;-)

Tomorrow we have a determined and fast Catz crew chasing us, who are presumably looking to demolish us after we cruelly denied them their overbump yesterday, and an equally quick Jesus crew ahead, who are on for their blades. We shall just have to wait and see what happens...

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2002 -
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

The 3rd VIII, who until last night didn't exist, and only today had their first outing (the race), had a brilliant row, including a nice little scrap with a Christs men's VIII about 100m from the finish line. RTT, complete with CULRC lycra, showed surprising competency in his coxing, and steered a good line around the corners, helping his crew to register a very respectable time.

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2002 -
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

The 2nd VIII, who have been performing to a high level recently, had a very controlled row, despite a slight incident approximately 15 strokes from the end. The race was well together and powerful, and showed good potential for the remainder of this term, and next.

Event: Women's Head of the River Race 2004 - Senior3 VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Remember that Pembroke went off in something like the third division, so they will have had more advantage from the tide.

I personally thought we had a pretty solid row today, especially for a crew whose only outing was half the length of the race itself (the row up to the start!). Hopefully we can build on this result next year, when we'll have a better starting number, and make it into the top 100. :)

Good result everyone.

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2005 - Women's 2-
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

This was truly unbelievable - we couldn't have hoped for a better result! There had been lots of banter between the two pairs over the past few weeks, discussing 'our' final, but neither pair were sure of winning our semis as the other crews looked pretty classy. Once we both had actually booked our slots in the final, the tension mounted and further banter was exchanged along the lines of 'wouldn't it be great if we 'decided' that we'd dead-heated and didn't have to race, and got the medals anyway'. Hmmm, good plan.

Well we both arrived at the start line, and it seemed that in fact a technical dead-heat "wouldn't do" for CUCBC, and we were actually going to have to fight it out. Arse. I for one certainly wasn't relishing the thought of the post-race changing rooms atmosphere.

A lot of faff at the start further heightened tension and my nerves were at breaking point when eventually we were allowed to go. The race was shoddy and we didn't row well, and the howling headwind didn't help matters when we practically came to a standstill on the reach. We crashed. We were told several times to 'go now', 'more pressure', 'lift it now', 'it's very close, more pressure' etc etc etc. Eventually, as my lungs were about to explode/implode (not sure which, medicine has never been my strong point), we finally hauled our boat to the finish. And waited for the results. And waited. And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

When a dead heat was announced, it seemed for a few minutes that we might have to re-row. Uh-uh. In my mind, re-rowing was not an option. So we had a brief congratulatory-we-are-great hug and discussion, and decided that probably sharing the points, going home, all getting medals/blades/names on boards and Pimms were really the thing to do. So we went home. Enough said.

Bring on the Magdalene Silver Pairs next year...!

Thanks to our team of banksteerers and coaches, without which none of this would have been possible *sniff*; Guy, Martin, Andy, Dan (also thanks for loan of the boat) and Jacob, plus Melissa from City for the loan of our superb craft, Clara T.

Event: Bedford Star Regatta 2005 - WS3 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

During our long break between races we occupied ourselves with eating cakes, eating jaffa cakes, eating biscuits, eating bacon rolls and sausages, watching people almost crashing and almost falling in, gaining entrance to the Bedford High changing rooms and promptly being chucked out again, ogling the pretty blue pots and best of all, buying rigger jiggers from Tim Foster's mum!

We also had time to reflect on our shocking semi final performance and to decide that perhaps rowing better in the final might be a good plan; Bedford Star looked a bit more invincible than Maidstone had, and seemed to actually put their blades in.

Luckily we managed a much much better row and stormed into the finish with a win by fifteen seconds. Pots!

******************************************
Looking at the official results, it seems that we were only three seconds off the winning pace for both the men's S4 and S3 4+ events!!

Event: Head of the Cam 2005 - Women's Other Mays
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Pretty solid row, pleasingly tidy and powerful for a first outing of term in an viii. We caught up lots on the red scum and Girton, and rapidly dropped the chasing Nines crew. It'll be interesting to see the results; fingers crossed for a repeat of last year's WOM win! :)

...

Whooo pennants! We came 3rd of the college viiis, behind Jesus and Caius, and beat Darwin (ahead of us in bumps) by a whopping 56 seconds!

Event: City Sprints 2005 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Our one practice outing the day before City Sprints had set us up nicely for some good racing today; the aim was fast rowing with finesse. In this race, we just went fast. :)

Event: City Sprints 2005 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Great start, a much better row, and another convincing victory.

Event: City Sprints 2005 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Power and finesse, a winning combination once again.

Event: City Sprints 2005 - CRA Nv 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Lots of power, less finesse, but a clear victory nonetheless, and a great start to the regatta season. Light and Dark Trinity come together, victorious once more.

Event: Bedford Star Regatta 2005 - WS3 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

After having changed our race time at the last minute due to rubbish Sunday bus services and 'planned engineering works' on the trains, we arrived in Bedford, and after a bit of searching found Charlie and our trailer. Getting the boat off the top rack of the trailer proved to be a bit of a challenge, but we eventually managed, and got ourselves to the start line with a boat, a cox and four rowers, which was really quite an achievement. All we had to do now was row.

Unfortunately rowing seemed a little beyond our capabilities, and we spacked, muppeted and spannered ourselves shamefully along the course. Fortunately, Maidstone Invicta proved even slower than we were, so we made it through to the final.

Event: May Bumps 2005 - Thursday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Very very frustrating. We went out hard, we closed to half a length, we did our best and unfortunately it wasn't quite good enough.

My (less good) haiku offering:

Mighty Cat and Buns;
So fast! Alas Wheel were slow
Selwyn Bump first. Arse.

Event: May Bumps 2005 - Friday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Just fifty five strokes
Revenge for yesterday sweet
Bump bumpety bump

Event: National Championships 2005 - Women's 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Light Trinity in Molesey + Dark Trinity in Nottingham = a bit of a logistical problem. Oh well, maybe next year.

Event: Oxford City Royal Regatta 2005 - WS1 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

They say pride comes before a fall. Well we certainly fell hard on Saturday, with our first defeat as a crew. Our race was committed and powerful but lacked technical finesse and togetherness, and we allowed our opposition to come past us at the Cherwell corner having gained around a quarter of a length off the start. Very disappointing, but ultimately a good learning experience for us all. Hopefully we'll fare better at IBR next weekend.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2005 - Victrix Ludorum
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Go to the Bristol Avon Regatta homepage to see the magnificence of our thirty six inch pink phallic prize.

Apparently 'Victor Ludorum' is for men, and 'Victrix Ludorum' the female equivalent. A really wonderful surprise to win this at the end of a good day's racing.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2005 - W Elite 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

A really cohesive and controlled row which saw us begin to pull away from Molesey during the stride, and then increase our lead coming around the outside of the bend. This left us around a quarter of a length up going into the final straight, and Lewis' "this is for your elite pot" push, along with the stagger at the finish saw us cross the line half a length ahead.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2005 - WS2 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Fresh from the elation of our elite win, we re-focussed, and concentrated on not embarrassing ourselves by losing the S2 final. We needn't have worried. We rapidly established clear water and continued to increase our lead over the course. I think they lost heart a bit, and crossed the line a good ten seconds after we did. :)

Event: 50k pre-Boston Marathon erg 2005 - Elite IV-
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Perhaps one of the longest four hour periods of my life. Deeply unpleasant. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Except maybe Dan and Rich, for whom this would probably constitute an average training piece. :)

Event: Cardinal's Regatta 2005 - Fancy Dress
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We set off very very late for the start, having had to search for a last minute sub, but eventually Fat Duck was launched and we were off.

The race itself was mercifully short and incredibly spacky, but miraculously we won. Unfortunately we had to scratch the next round as various parts of the duck had to run off to various non-ducky activities.

RIP Fat Duck: short lived, but much loved and sorely missed by all of the Cam community.

Event: Head of the Nene 2005 - Senior3 VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We went over the course at a fairly powerful but untidy 32. We overtook. We pushed off the bridge. It lasted a long time and was painful. In summary, it was Peterboroughish. :)

On a more positive note, we beat Queens' (chasing us in bumps) and Christs' (being chased by us) by miles, as well as Tit Hall, and would have won Novice VIIIs if Pia hadn't had points! Pembroke and LMBC both narrowly beat us, and Clare were the fastest college VIII by about 20secs.

Oh, and we also beat a Magdalene men's VIII!

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

After beating us by a considerable margin in the Robinson head last week, Robinson probably expected to get the better of us, especially given their tidy paddling up to the start and poncy matching kit.

However, we had other ideas. Our start was spacky but determined and very powerful, and as we strode into our race rhythm Jenners was calling to increase our two seat advantage. We continued to pull away down (sic) the reach and I think they started to give up at this point. Coming under the Railway Bridge our rate came down a couple of pips from 36 and we cruised in style to the finish. Job done.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2005 - Women's Lents 3
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Not a bad result considering this was the first race of term, and we were racing in scratch crews.

The first leg was ok, a bit spacky and not wonderfully together, but we made it well enough around the corners and with some encouragement from Pia eventually cruised through the finish at a reasonable pace. In the second leg, we were hoping to overtake City, who we'd caught up on a lot during our first piece. However, we hadn't accounted for Homerton being quite so slow, and City fairly quickly overtook them. Rounding Ditton, a quick men's IV behind us threatened to overtake, but we managed to hold them off with some good powerful rowing until just before the railway bridge. Our increase in speed brought us within a length of Homerton, and with some rather spackier but nevertheless determined pushes we finally got past them at about Morley's Holt (I'm never really quite sure where that is). With the end in sight, Pia spurred us on one last time, and we upped the rate to come home in style (ish). A convincing Lents 3 victory was ours.

Thanks to Pia for not crashing, to Charlie for his first rate coaching and support on the bank, to Iain, and especially well done to those in the crew who won pennants in their senior racing debut - ra ra First and Third B!

Event: Robinson Head 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

A neater and tidier row than last week at Peterborough, but the power lacked throughout, which is reflected in our disappointing result (last week we were clocking similar times to Pembroke and LMBC W1, this week Pembroke and LMBC W2 beat us).

Hopefully we can combine the power and aggression from Peterborough with today's neatness over the next two weeks.

Event: Robinson Head 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Wow - we had an awesome row! :) The whole race was well controlled with good rhythm and loads of power going down. We ground the Clare boat down over the course, finally overtaking them just before the finish, and beating their time by nearly a minute. It was a great race. :)

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

After seeing the smug Binson crew taken down a peg or two, I didn't want to be too complacent about our chances over Peterhouse. However, once we started racing it quickly became evident that we were much the faster crew. We took almost a length in the first minute or so and continued to increase our lead throughout. Operation Desert Hump was definitely a great success.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I was just getting optimistic about the slim possibility that we might actually beat Emma, when I heard that Zoe and Jane had to leave. Hmmm, this was going to be difficult. However, super-subs Jo and Mika slotted in well on our row up to Chesterton, where we proceeded to marshal for a very long time, waiting for Pia to get back from her W3 coxing effort. The Pembroke marshals seemed very keen for us to push off, despite our lack of stroke. Eventually Pia materialised and we rowed up to the start, very very late and had less than two minutes to spin, de-kit, line-up and start racing, which was all observed smugly and disapprovingly by Emma in matching kit. Their smugness lasted even less than our dekitting, spinning and lining up did, and we disposed of them with an efficient and powerful row. Whooooo! 3 down, 2 to go...

Apparently at the P&E, a shocked and surprised Pembroke marshal walkie-talkie-ing results to whoever was starting crews was heard to say "FaT have just *trashed* Emma!?" *smug*

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Wow. We are *great*. Maggie definitely didn't see this one coming, and I must admit neither did I! Everyone had written us off, having lost to LMBC 2 last week (ahem), and it was an amazing feeling to beat them, and to beat them fair and square. To put the icing on the cake, the boys also put out Maggie in the semis - ra ra first and third!

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2005 -
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I didn't arrive in time for the start, but from Ditton onwards this looked like a great row; really powerful, tidy and together. They looked considerably better and faster than any of the other crews I saw whilst cycling up to meet them, which bodes well for both getting-on and for next week!

Thanks to the crew for putting up with my spacky bow-side-and-wearing-jeans row back to the boathouse, it was very entertaining for me, perhaps not so much for them! :)

Event: Foster Fairbairn Pairs 2005 - Women's 2-
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Our basic plan for the race was to not crash, not fall in, and make it round the corners; anything on top of this would just be a bonus.

We'd heard that the Pembroke pair were pretty quick, so were looking forward to a good race. Having made it up to the start without crashing once (for the first time ever) we were already doing well. :) Catherine lined us up superbly on the start line, and after quite a bit of waiting round we were finally off.

Our first stroke was pretty shocking but the rest of the start was reasonable, although probably ought to have been a bit sharper. Just as we were striding down to race rhythm, the Pembroke pair (un)fortunately crashed into the reeds just downstream of the motorway bridge so we opened out a lead which we maintained and increased throughout the race, despite our spacking around the corners and dying on the reach. A slightly hollow victory given Pembroke's crash, I'm sure they would have given us a great race.

Event: Lent Bumps 2005 - Wednesday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Well this was fun. We knew that from previous race form, we were much quicker than Christs, but didn't want to get too complacent. In the end, it was very quick and very easy and the race was over before we'd even really got going, I don't think anyone was really even tired when we stopped. :)

Tomorrow we're hoping to hunt down Churchill; brilliantly, Pembroke hit them today which we hadn't expected. I'm excited already!

Event: Lent Bumps 2005 - Friday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Wow. This was a truly amazing row, definitely our best ever piece, and such a fantastic result. We all knew we had it in us, and as soon as we heard we were on station the boat lifted and went into a whole new gear. I can't honestly remember most of the race - it's all a bit of a hazy blur - but I certainly do remember the sensation of us hitting them! :)

Jenny, you were brilliant today, we couldn't have done half as well without your encouragement (and downright bloodymindedness!).

If we stay switched on and row as we rowed today and have done all week, we can definitely get Newnham, which would put the icing on our enormous, very extravagant, multi-tiered, blue and gold cake. :) :) :)

xxxxxxxx (for the rest of the crew)
xxxxxxxx (to share amongst the bank party)
xxxxxxxx (for Iain!)
xxxxxxxx (for all the totally unbiased FaT SUs, DUs etc)
xxxxxxxxxxxxx (for everyone else!)

PS I also _love_ the fact that we bumped Girton whilst wearing their colours!! Ho ho ho!

Event: Lent Bumps 2005 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Despite a spacky first minute which saw Pembroke come slightly inside station, we settled into our race rhythm nicely and were in the process of grinding them down when, as far as I can make out, they clipped the corner, someone came off her seat and we ploughed into them coming out of Grassy.

Rowing home with the flag was just so fantastic, thanks to all of those making up the wall of blue and gold sound at the Plough and down the rest of the course.

I just wanted to reiterate thanks to Pia, Iain and Jenny who have all done their jobs brilliantly this term. :)

Event: Drumps 2005 - Monday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I remember the E3- retaining the headship, that was very impressive. Our crew consisted of Rosie, who refused to drink tequila (fair enough), Sarah, who couldn't drink Baileys because of her lactose intolerance, Cath, who can't drink beer because of a yeast allergy, and me. There were only 4 stations (beer, tequila, baileys and something else disgusting), each of which you visited twice, which meant lots of doubling up at the stations (plus we were already doubling up as there were only 4 of us). That was a fun year. We went to the wrong finish though. Doing drumps in small boats is very very stupid.

Do you also remember having to run up _all_ the stairs in the Wolfson building _twice_ to E floor where that married couple whose names I never remember were the marshals?

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

In the end, the better crew won this race. A win in the final would have been a bonus, but for me personally, the semi final was the highlight of today's racing. We had a brilliant day, which couldn't possibly have been nearly as successful without our army of subs (Mika, Tera and Jo during the races, and Sarah and Amna rowing to Chesterton with us), without Dan for coaching and without Jenners for her amazing coxing. :) Thanks everyone!

Event: City Sprints 2006 - CRA S3 4+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Despite just having got off the water from our previous final and having raced a total of over 12000m today, our start was strong and together and we started to eat into their lead (from the stagger) from the first stroke. We settled into a long loose rhythm and soon opened up a comfortable lead. About 5 strokes from the finish, with in excess of a hundred people watching, we made things a little bit more interesting by having a quick visit into the bank. Fortunately though we were miles ahead and even with our detour we still won comfortably. They told us that they were pleased to have been beaten by less than five lengths.

Note to self and anyone else reading: H2H2H2H2sprint2sprint2sprint makes for VERY tired legs. Lots of fun though. :)

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2006 - Women's Lents 1
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Very average.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2006 - WS3 IV+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Good solid rowing with some quality overtaking manoeuvres at the end of each leg. We beat several women's 2nd viiis and at least one women's first viii. :)

Event: City of Oxford Rowing Club Bumps Races 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Hmmm not sure what happened here. They were fast off the start. We weren't. We got bumped and then remembered that it was quite useful and a bit quicker if we actually put our blades in and rowed together which made quite a difference. This was enough to avoid being bumped again. I was quite glad when we were allowed to get out, go to the pub and get some food. We'll be back next year!

Event: City of Oxford Rowing Club Bumps Races 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

The duration of this race felt a lot like doing max weights on the leg press. Very heavy. However the momentum we got on such a heavy boat enabled us to plough pretty convincingly into City of Oxford III so we were allowed to stop, hurray! Unfortunately you're not allowed to actually bump anyone in Oxford and there's no greenery but nevertheless it felt good.

Event: Head of the Cam 2006 - S3 IV+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We had a nice row up to Chesterton followed by a lot of sitting around, and a nice row up to the start and then even more sitting around. In total we must have been sitting around for at least an hour.

Eventually we went off, right at the foot of the division chasing a J15 women's quad. Our start was great and we hit our target rating with a nice rhythm very quickly and stormed through the first half of the race. At Ditton we spacked a bit before getting it back together and hauling in the quad, who'd started the reach about 4 lengths ahead. By the P&E we'd almost caught up another quad, this one full of schoolboys rather than schoolgirls, and instead of overtaking we did the nice thing and spacked a bit more to ensure we stayed behind and in their wash. They congratulated us afterwards and said that it'd been the first 'real head-on-head' race they'd ever had. Awwww.

Good racing generally, and surprisingly enjoyable for the first head piece of term.

Event: City of Oxford Rowing Club Bumps Races 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

The boat we obtained was named 'Well Oiled'. Well oiled it certainly was not. The underside of the shell had evidently suffered much damage and had been repaired with a substance that looked suspiciously like chewing gum. It looked a lot like a school playground/the underside of the desks/tables at school with gooey blobs everywhere. Plus it weighed about a ton. And we had very girthful and very heavy blades with clams that didn't fit and approx size 12 shoes.

We rowed, we didn't bump and so we hauled our bulky craft to the end of the course, turned round and came back again. It was anything but spectacular.

Event: BUSA Regatta 2006 - Women's Junior VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

By this point in the day we were getting pretty tired out, not having anticipated doing 3 2k pieces! Lining up in the final with two Oxford crews, the CUW lightweights, Nottingham and Durham, we expected the race to be divided into two separate contests; one for the medals between Oxford, Oxford and Cambridge, with the remaining three of us fighting it out for 4th, 5th and 6th. This was exactly as it turned out - the university crews shot off into the sunset leaving us trailing in their wake as we struggled with the wind which was picking up and swirling all over the place. We were fairly level with Durham for much of the race but they gradually opened up a small lead which we couldn't match, eventually crossing the line about a length ahead. Slightly disappointing given that we'd beaten them in the two previous rounds, but 5th in the final is still a lot better than the embarrassment of being knocked out in the heats which we'd expected given our lack of experience both rowing as a crew and racing in a 2k multilane regatta. Hopefully we'll do one (well, two) better next time!

Event: BUSA Regatta 2006 - Women's Junior VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Between races we obtained a copy of the results (20p well spent) and found that of the crews in the repechage (2nd and 3rd place from each of three heats) we'd got the fastest time by quite way. Given that conditions had remained steadily awful and therefore times could be compared, this should mean that we were well placed to take one of the final slots by coming in the top 3 in the repechage.

The wind had died down a bit by the time we came to race but it was still pretty unpleasant. We rowed a little better and rather more consistently. Unfortunately the crews directly on either side of us were very slow, although Durham and Nottingham had a bit of a tussle and remained fairly level with us. We crossed the line a very close 2nd, less than a second behind the Nottingham crew. Next stop, the final!

Event: BUSA Regatta 2006 - Women's Junior VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We weren't expecting a great deal from our trip to BUSA given that we'd had approximately one and a half outings together as a crew, never done more than a burst and certainly nothing as ambitious as a 2k piece rating 34ish. Ho hum.

Once we'd been told, as we were boating, that Honey needed to have a weigh in certificate (the officials were most amused) and rowed up to the start all that remained was to not embarrass ourselves either by a) failing to attach to the stakeboat or b) finishing the race after everyone else had already deboated. We accomplished a) pretty quickly and efficiently and with 3 and 5 manfully sculling 2 and 4's blades at firm pressure to keep us straight we waited for the other crews to attach. Pleasingly, the Oxford lightweights were the slowest of the lot. Finally, with the green light (and apparently a klaxon too - that didn't make it to the bows in the roaring headwind) we were off.

Somehow, our start was better than everyone elses, but lack of crew togetherness/fitness/having trained told slightly in the first minute and Oxford stormed off into the distance to win the heat by a convincing 20 seconds. However, of the remaining 4 crews we were comfortably the fastest and coped well with the incredibly windy conditions to open out a lead of around a length and a half, which we kept until the finish, earning us a place in the repechage. A great result, which rather unfortunately meant we had to do it all again... :)

Event: City Sprints 2006 - Mens Lents Division 3
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We had them right from the start. There was loads of power and little finesse but we got to the line first and that's all that matters in the end. :)

Event: City Sprints 2006 - Mens Lents Division 3
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I'm sure the course favours the crew on the common side, and we were unlucky to be drawn on the boathouse station. Jesus M4 took it hard off the start while we took a little while to get going and they opened out a lead of over a length. Over the course we steadily came back at them, but their superior start and the fact that they steered right over onto our side meant that they just pipped us to the finishing post. Another 50m of course and I'm confident we'd have been in the final.

Once the crew has had some more outings together and some practice at starts we'll be flying!

Event: Champion of the Thames Eights Head 2006 - Women's 1st Div. Mays
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Our stealth start from under the willows near the Plough didn't win us any prizes and Jane and my efforts at getting us around Ditton didn't either but fortunately we got going and up to rating pretty quickly, settling to a powerful 33. We had a nice lift to take us over (under) the line in style.

Sadly not quite enough to win today but 5s off the winners (Caius) and joint second with Jesus isn't a bad result. We should be aiming to increase our speed by being a bit more together and confident in the way the boat is moving as a result; once we've done that I hope we can close the gap on the crews at the top of the division.

Event: Champion of the Thames Eights Head 2006 - Men's Lower Div. Mays
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Just not quite together at any point - I think the standard of the singing set the tone for the entirety of the race! :) Due to various crew commitments we were pretty sub heavy, and the rowing gods had conspired against us not only with the weather but also in the fact that we had to row in Richard Church. Fortunately the only significant corner was a stroke side one (we wouldn't have had a hope at getting around Grassy).

A very mediocre row, the crew is capable of an awful lot better than this result. At least we beat the fifth men though... ;-)

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2006 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Embarrassing. Simply put, we rowed badly and let them have the better of us.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2006 - Mixed VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Wound to 43, nice. We did the majority of the race at about 26 though, not wanting to tire ourselves out too much, and took it up to 36ish to cross the line. Barrel of beer, pots and comedy flavoured beer from Karthik too - result! :D

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2006 - Mixed VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Having four men in a boat makes a big difference I've realised - we started this race off at 40-41ish, nice and powerful (well, middle four at least) and took a length in the first three strokes. After this Ellen called a series of down-2's and we paddled over the line at about 22.

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2006 - Mixed VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

They were scared of our power and might and didn't turn up so we sat around at Ditton and bantered with the boys.

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Thursday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I definitely had the best seat for this one - amazing stuff!

The paddle up was really good today, nice and focussed with a pretty good, if a little overenthusiastic, practice start at the Plough. We knew Corpus were likely to go hard off the start so the plan was to try and catch anything that was still rowing ahead of us...

At the start, we weren't ideally positioned with the bungline going taut and the bows swinging around slightly. The first stroke wasn't great and it took a little while to properly get going.

Corpus bumped out early as expected, and fortunately we had enough time to get around them on the outside (not sure Pete Convey would have been best pleased if we'd tried to wangle a technical double-overbump...). Around first post I checked and saw that King's behind us definitely wouldn't be a threat, and so we gritted our teeth and settled in for a long hard slog. Passing yet more bumped out crews down the gut I thought there might not be anything left to chase, but as we came around/into Grassy (oops, the less said about it, the better!) I saw the speck of a crew ahead just going around Ditton. That's a whole lotta lengths but there's always a chance, so we stepped it up a gear and went into our grind push down Plough Reach, bringing the boat speed up nicely.

A tight line around Ditton (thanks Pete and Charles) and a great lift out of the corner saw a further increase in boat speed and at this point I began to wonder whether we might actually be able to get them. They were maybe 8 lengths off at the bottom of the reach, meaning we'd closed 3.5 so far, not bad considering our trip into the bank.

We had a series of power calls and lifts which saw us simply reel them in, we were gaining visibly on every stroke, such that by the time we were half way down the reach we'd closed to around four lengths and I finally could see who we were chasing (Sidney 2). By now we were really motoring and I told the guys the bump was on if they kept their heads and kept at it. The increase in power and sheer determination was superb, we went up another gear and soon closed to about 2 lengths. As the railway bride cast its shadow ahead I knew we had less than three minutes to finish them, but also knew for definite that we could actually get them. We pushed hard off the bridge to within station and kept inching further towards them. By now the golden grads had given it absolutely everything and more, but under the lycra they found just a little extra and the whistles came in quick succession. I saw Mark's blade tantalisingly close to their stern as Morley's Holt, apparently at warp-speed, loomed ever nearer. Finally we made physical contact and held it up, with less than five strokes of the course left. What an amazing feeling, I still can't really believe it happened! Cue wild celebrations in the boat, and some very gentlemanly applause from Sidney (thanks guys!); the only sensible thing to do seemed to be to pull in and grab a quick pint at the P&E before swapping boats with M3 and paddling home in sixes.

WOW!

************************
Also I forgot to say particular congratulations to Andy Wong on his 50th bumps race today - a double-overbump seems a very fitting way to bring up his half-century!

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Pleasingly quick.

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2005 - Student Beginner VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

This was a good committed piece. We went over at about 28, didn't crab or crash and everyone was tired at the end; a good start.

Through the first half we managed to keep the work on, and had some nice pushes out of the corners to prevent a drop in speed. We were unfortunately slightly impeded by a drunkard in a motor cruiser on Ditton and had to go horribly wide, but once on the reach had an excellent ratio shift and lift in boat speed. Our "Obliterate" push into the railway bridge set us up excellently for the last chunk of racing, and depsite some spacking just shy of the finish line, the power and technique were consistent throughout.

A really impressive first row, well done to everyone and thanks to the mlbcs for coming along and supporting. Bodes well for next week and the Fairbairns. Ra ra!

Event: 2nd Trinity Challenge Sculls 2006 - Ladies doubles - shell
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

A couple of weeks ago Catherine and I vaguely thought about entering STCS and did nothing about it until the entry deadline on Friday; we entered ourselves but didn't manage to get any outings in. Hmmm. Yesterday it seemed like a good idea to have a quick practise at the whole sculling lark, it couldn't be that hard, right? Iain kindly agreed to banksteer and coach us, not really realising what he was letting himself in for. Once we'd got the blades and the gates the right way round and pushed off we made rapid improvement but it definitely wasn't quite up to Henley standard. Another outing this morning soon sorted that out and by this afternoon we were getting a bit more confident, even managing to do a square blades slide build which yesterday would have resulted in almost certain capsize.

At the lock we were set off a good few minutes ahead of Ed Richardson, previous winner on STCS, CUBC and GB triallist; he overtook us by the end. Apart from that slight disappointment, the race was ok. We didn't crash, Catherine took some nice accurate lines (and some very nice scenic ones too), we got to the end, didn't fall in and most importantly did it all in very matching kit. I'm pleased we got out and did this race; it was an interesting sculling debut and certainly a platform to build on in the future - Henley next year?! :)

Event: University IVs 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

At the beginning of term we decided that winning Uni IVs would be quite nice, and planned to have lots of outings and train hard in order to achieve this goal. All was going well until about two weeks ago when the entire crew succumbed one by one (from cox to bow - I blame Magnus) to freshers' flu. And then Catherine injured her wrist and wasn't allowed to row for a few weeks. And then Erica tore her quad. And then I managed to get glass in my foot which required minor surgery. And two days later I jetted off over the pond, only arriving back on the morning of our first race. Race preparation was certainly not ideal, with no outings for over two weeks. Arse. To top it all off, we drew LMBC in the first round.

Still optimistic, we merrily rowed down to the start, intimidating the red scum by repeatedly catching them up during paddling. Our firm pressure was somewhat less effective, but we took ground off the start and opened up a length of clear water before the bridge and finished around two lengths clear. Definitely not one of our better rows, but enough to seal a comfortable victory. Hopefully tomorrow we'll get our act together a bit better; I can certainly work on my pre-race preparation of Hersheys, Liquorice Allsorts, Crunchie mini bites and no sleep. :)

Event: University IVs 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Disappointing not to get a race, but it at least gives us the chance to get in an outing or two before our next race on Thursday.

Event: University IVs 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Wicked! A very pleasing row and an even better result. My crew pasta victory-inspired pudding of banana split with marshmallows and chocolate sauce tasted extra sweet.

Event: University IVs 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

We knew Newnham would be tough, and were prepared for them to go hard off the start; this had been their very effective tactic in earlier rounds. However, I hadn't quite expected them to take a whole half length off the start, and increase this to three quarters of a length by about a third of the way down the reach, as we spacked, spannered and shipwrecked in the gusting wind. Fortunately we remembered how to row, and also remembered that we quite wanted to win this race, and digging deep, began to come back at them. By the end of the push we were back on terms, perhaps even slightly up, and this gave us the incentive to start rowing properly again. Magnus' brilliantly timed Two (wo)Man Push asserted our dominance as we settled into a powerful rhythm and continued to pull away, such that we were three-quarters of a length up at the Railway Bridge. Our 'Locomotive' push out of the bridge sealed their fate as Runners Up, and after this point, despite their valiant attempts to come back at us, we maintained our lead and stormed to Top Finish with a six second margin of victory. Looking back at the website results archives, we haven't won this event since 1994 (when most of the crew were still at junior school - scary)! This was also the last time we had a girl as overall captain. :)

A very satisfying row and pleasing result; even better to see the Light IV dominate in their final shortly afterwards. Rah rah First and Third!

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2005 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Disappointing. :(

Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2005 - Senior IVs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Just didn't come together. Rowing in the previous division didn't help, but we can't really excuse this poor performance. At least we beat the novices.

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

After two disappointing racing experiences in the Winter Head and Clare Novices, the first novice men showed their true colours today with a fanastic row. It was committed, techincally proficient and powerful throughout, going over the course at a consistently rhythmic 32.

We had an excellent start, surged well through the first two bridges and kept the work on nicely in the stretch between Elizabeth Way and Chesterton with lots of focus on technique and timing. A good line through Chesterton saw us gain on the Christs crew ahead, and coming past the P&E the boat lifted noticeably. Our pairs pushes out of the Railway Bridge set us up nicely for the last 20 strokes before the finish, and we beasted it home in true style.

Hopefully this commitment and power will be rewarded with a good time. No matter what the result though, these guys deserve applause; they've made a great deal of progress this term and really rowed their (gold) socks off today. I'm so proud! :) Love you all guys, mwah mwah xxxxxxxx

Thanks to the bank party, I hope we provided some amusement in our row home. Oh and thanks to Michal for some inspired coxing...

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2006 - Women's Lents 1
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

I looked at the full results - we beat crews from men's Lents 4, men's Lents 3, men's Lents 2 (!) and men's Lents 1 (!!!). :)

I was very impressed with the way Caius got it back together after their incident, and agree that they were probably the faster crew. However, as we all know, Bumps shows no mercy to those who crab. So as Erica said, we're looking forward to some decent racing later in term, free of crustacean company!

Event: Head of the Nene 2006 - Senior2 VIIIs
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

A pretty solid row. We coped reasonably well with the rocky conditions in the middle third and finished strongly with several enthusiastic 'last 10's. It was a bit miserable rowing over the course in almost complete isolation, with enormous gaps between crews at either end, thus nothing really to push off/into. Hopefully we can take the better bits from today and build on them in the coming weeks.

Event: Robinson Head 2006 - 1st division, 2nd run
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Following Iain's advice, we lowered the rate a little on this piece and concentrated more on the rhythm. I thought it felt a little quichey which was disappointing given the aggression of the first race, but unsurprising given that we were knackered! It was still enough to seal our second first place of the day however, which was pleasing.

Event: City of Oxford Rowing Club Bumps Races 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

This was a very fun and very entertaining day. Getting up at 5.30am wasn't particularly entertaining but by the time I'd arrived at Great Gate and seen that Lilie's car had apparently been used as a toilet by an entire flock of birds my sense of humour had returned. We tried various things to get the crap off the windscreen including water (didn't touch it) and Lilie's buttery card (slightly effective). In the end, Coke, the substance that can dissolve the hardest component of the human body (tooth enamel) came through for us and we set off Oxfordwards.

After driving around Oxford for quite a while with a slightly bemused ChCh men's captain on the phone we made it to City of Oxford boathouse more or less in one piece to discover that we were starting 7th in division 1. Hmmm, I personally wasn't convinced that one outing plus cripple on crutches (me) plus a high starting position would necessarily = a storming success. At least we had been promised a decent women's racing shell - upon inspection it was very similar to our own beloved Sirens and was in fact stroke rigged - result! Unfortunately around an hour later after ChCh men's second four had raced, the inspection results weren't quite so glowing - yes it was still a nice stroke-rigged women's racing shell but it now had three functional riggers and one crippled one at 2. I suggested that this fitted in quite nicely with our three functional rowers and one crippled one at 2, but was shouted down, so off we tootled to find another boat (there apparently not being a single spare Janousek strokeside rigger in the whole of Oxford).

After all the drama, finding ourselves another boat, the quick re-jig of crew order, boating and racing all passed quite quickly. Probably my favourite bit was hobbling past the St Hugh's girls just after our race and them realising that indeed they had been bumped by someone on crutches. Mwahhhhahaha.

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Today we had a much better start and reeled Downing in pretty much as we had intended. Towards the end when we were at a canvas/overlap it was incredibly rocky and as Jo says, we spacked around a bit, but fortunately it didn't matter too much. They eventually followed Jenny's eloquent instructions to concede as we exited Grassy, and became the fourth Downing crew of the week to succumb to a FaT crew.

Up 3 for the week, well done everyone! Training for Lents 2007 begins now.... :)

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Fantastic result, well done! I'm so pleased for you. Next year you'll be the top placed crew in the GoR and can continue storming up the charts to finally earn a permanent place. See you at the dinner. :D

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Friday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Today we rowed as we had intended to (and ultimately failed to) row all week, rather than battering up and down the slide and getting nowhere fast. Unfortunately even our best efforts, strong rhythm, desire to bump (and no doubt Downing's attempts to avoid spoons) were not enough to get a bump on Emma. We had a good start and pushed Jesus away, but even before First Post Emma had whistles on Downing and bumped them shortly after exiting the corner. Jenny managed to steer us through the bumped out crews and we refocussed on trying to make up ground on Caius, but unfortunately today it was just not meant to be.

It's gutting to be denied our blades, but it's happened to many crews before us and will happen to many again in the future. I guess that's just Bumps. We'll be fired up for chasing Downing tomorrow and hopefully can find the same easy rhythm we got today. From 14th to 5th in seven days of racing is certainly not a bad result! :D

PS Well done to Emma for a very quick bump. Yes, you were outside distance on us. I'll look forward to some good racing at the top of W1 next Lents! :)

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Friday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

Fantastic, well done!! :) Wish I could have been there to see you get them.

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Thursday
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

From station 6 in the outflow our first few strokes were in dirty water but nevertheless our start was reasonably controlled and powerful and we settled into a strong rhythm after a couple of strides and some gentle encouragement from Jenny. Around first post Jesus, who had caned it off the start to go slightly outside distance, got to within half a length on Emma, but Iain loudly assured us from the bank that they'd gone off too hard and would be dying soon.

Anyway Jesus didn't die quite as soon as I'd hoped and although we closed to a length in Plough reach they pushed away again. Coming around Ditton we encountered a small headwind, and Jenny's instructions to sit up enabled us to finally find the crew rhythm we'd been trying to get. Before too long we were closing on Jesus fairly rapidly, and the confidence of bumping I'd had before Ditton became a feeling of certainty. We soon pushed to half a length and then quickly to a canvas and Jenny told me this one was for me. One killer push from the crew and three smashes of my blade into their stern later saw us eventually get the much desired bump, just before the railway bridge.

In summary, a good hard row against some determined and strong opposition. Tomorrow we're hoping to catch Emma before they get Downing, who are currently on for spoons. I can't wait!

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

This wasn't our best ever row but we did what we needed to do and did it reasonably quickly. I think first-day-of-bumps nerves got to us a little bit and so the start and subsequent stride(s) were slightly rushed and not as well together as we have been in training. Fortunately Maggie took a rather erratic line both off the start and around Grassy, making for a relatively quick bump. Tomorrow we know far more what to expect from the crews around us and should hopefully be able to find the rhythm we will need to take us through the rest of the week.

All in all, a satisfactory race, and the result we were hoping for. Job done.

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

On our row up to race we saw Newnham III coming back looking extremely dejected and minus greenery and we guessed you must have bumped, and sure enough it didn't take long for you to come along bedecked in leaves - whooo! Congratulations! I knew you could do it. :) Fingers crossed for more bumpage and greenery tomorrow.

Event: Robinson Head 2006 - 1st division, 1st run
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

This was a committed piece with plenty of aggression and power going down, but it lacked some finesse and felt a bit rushed.

Event: Head of the Nene 2007 - S3 8+
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

According to the results below we beat Tit Hall M1 (9th in M1) and Clare M2 - very pleasing.

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2007 -
Posted as: Amelia
Event Link

First time the third women have got on since...well I don't know when but it's a long time ago, if ever. Fantastic result. :)

Event: Lent Bumps 2007 - Wednesday
Posted as: AmeLia
Event Link

Good stuff. Still lots of work to do this week though...

Event: Lent Bumps 2007 - Saturday
Posted as: AmeLia
Event Link

Congratulations!!!

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

Looks like you got pretty damn close to the bump on Clare, I'll be rooting for you all the way today! Best of luck.

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Friday
Posted as: AmeLia
Event Link

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Well done! I'm so pleased for you. Congratulations!! Enjoy tomorrow (and maybe try holding out until the Plough for a change). :)

Event: Lent Bumps 2009 - Friday
Posted as: AmeLia
Event Link

Well done, fantastic! A really great result to bump a crew back. Good luck for tomorrow.

Event: Lent Bumps 2014 - Thursday
Posted as: AmeLia
Event Link

Congratulations! A fantastic achievement. All good wishes for glorious row overs tomorrow and Saturday