All race reports for Alex Strange
Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2014 - 2nd division
Posted as: Strange
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Off the start line we kept with Magdalene, losing at most one seat in the starting sequence. However once we moved on to the stride they started moving away from us, and although we couldn't keep with them it was valuable racing experience against a formidable crew. Overall it was an enjoyable and hard-fought race on our part, and one that (hopefully!) bodes well for bumps!
Event: Lent Bumps 2014 - Wednesday
Posted as: Strange
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With an inexperienced crew, we weren't expecting great things against Jesus - we knew they were strong so our aim was to go off hard and last as long as possible. After unexpectedly watching 7 back it down (after the 10 second call had already passed), we were away and moving. The boat speed of Jesus became evident immediately and it wasn't long before they were ominously bearing down at us.
We continued pushing, and when we heard a whistle came from the bank it was a pleasant surprise to later learn that it was for us gaining on Queens. Shortly after, Jesus caught us and that was that. Nonetheless, the rowing showed promise and we look forward to having an attack on Queen's later in the week.
Event: Lent Bumps 2015 - Thursday
Posted as: A. Strange
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We approached the race slightly differently to the previous day's, instead relying on going off unsustainably hard to get the bump as opposed to grinding Queens' down over the course. The start was solid and we moved to just over a length at first post corner, holding our rhythm from the previous day but with greater power application.
Queens' held us at this distance more or less until the end of Plough Reach and possibly into the entrance to Ditton. We lost the send we had slightly through the corners and never really managed to recover it, with Pembroke, Maggie, Queens' and us all churning up the river significantly past the Plough. Out of Ditton we blew as expected, and then rowed over without crews behind.
Event: Head of the River Race 2015 - In3
Posted as: A. Strange
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Since John has given a pretty good summary of the race prep during the several days of training on the tideway I will just talk about the race itself.
After a quick early morning outing with the full crew for the first time since Tuesday (trying to get Sam and Rob up to speed with our technical changes and adjusting the crew order yet again) and then having to pull in to replace our cox box midway through the paddle to marshalling we finally made it to the start line. We set off at a solid 34, finding our rhythm and moving through Eton Excelsior ahead of us. We managed to maintain this through the first 4 or 5 km as the chasing boat of Fitz began to fall away.
Another overtake happened slightly later and we began to creep slowly up on Emma without ever moving to within a few lengths. Unfortunately, the good rhythm that we had set-up in the first 5k fell apart coming through Hammersmith Bridge and round the mile post we were not moving anywhere near as effectively. It was a disappointing last stretch of the race, but no doubt something that the crew can learn from. As Matt is so fond of saying, there's plenty more speed to find!
Event: Lent Bumps 2015 - Saturday
Posted as: A. Strange
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It has been quite a turnaround since my last bumps - having experienced the lows of spoons 12 months ago to have gone out and rowed with this crew was pretty special. Even at the boathouse the aggression and intent was clear, and we channeled that well in the warm-up. The only previous race I had against Maggie was losing in the final of Clare Novices, so the incentive to hit back was there.
The race itself was all a bit of a blur. With conditions being poor on the start line we began our start fairly well and moved on Maggie slightly. Peterhouse behind us really attacked us off the start, getting an early whistle but only closing to a length at most before dropping back. Meanwhile, our chase began in earnest.
We settled on to our rate well, taking the corners as they came until conditions again deteriorated coming round Ditton. It was here we strode into our headwind rhythm and again made inroads into Maggie getting our first whistle I think. With Queens' bumping Pembroke ahead of us Maggie took a wider line whilst Tom brought us close (despite our bank party's calls) in a perfectly judged line. Thanks to this we gained about half a length in 200m, moving to within quarter of a length.
On hearing two whistles the crew lifted again, and again on three. We stayed at three for what felt like a long time; Maggie here pushed and held off the charge coming through the railway bridge. Then we went again. Tom's call of "They're going to fail" led the surge and we went through them eventually holding it up 10 strokes before the line, although we later learned the bump had been awarded earlier. The reaction from the crew and bankparty was terrific - certainly this was the most exciting and rewarding race I've ever been a part of. It has been a pleasure to row with these guys, and I cannot wait for what May Term holds.
Event: Lent Bumps 2015 - Friday
Posted as: A. Strange
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After the tail-end of the W1 division saw a re-row, the race got under way. Moving off the start in a similar fashion to the previous day we again gained on Queens' to slightly more than a length before being held round the corners. This time we held our rhythm through first post and the Gut before losing it on the entrance to Grassy (I assume due to the amount of wash) and then getting it back on the exit.
They moved to outside station on us coming out of Ditton, and down the Reach we didn't quite get the same rhythm back. Queens' then bumped Maggie somewhere near the kink leaving us to deal with Peterhouse whom we'd held comfortably so far. In the last 200m of the Reach they began to lift closing to a (somewhat suspect) whistle's distance away which spurred them on further to an equally dubious two whistle's distance.
Although they were making up ground past the railway bridge we got our long, confident strokes back at this point and sat in our sustainable rhythm until the finish. Credit to Peterhouse as they clearly threw the kitchen sink at us until the end. Overall a good row, and we're now looking forward to chasing Maggie tomorrow!
Event: Lent Bumps 2015 - Wednesday
Posted as: A. Strange
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Although not rowing particularly cleanly due to wash and adrenaline, we stuck with our race plan and rowed our confident 34 throughout. No massive gains were ever made, but we brought down the distance consistently from the start. Upon hearing the Christ's cox coming out of Ditton we again pushed forward and finished off the race. The eventual concession saw Christ's cox hit hard by bow's blade, after their stroke's blade had been sucked somewhere underneath our bows. A good race, and a thoroughly enjoyable first bump for me!
Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2015 -
Posted as: A. Strange
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A great row by the guys, we were unlucky to have been as starved of outings as we were - however from this race I saw the foundations of better things to come. The warm-up was scrappy, but we were able to make some good changes coming into marshalling.
Off the race start itself though, we saw probably our best rowing of the day. Bolstered by adrenaline and the knowledge that only pushing f***ing hard would see us get-on the quality of rowing, and indeed boat speed, came on massively from anything I have seen from them this term.
This was not to last unfortunately. 4s blade mysteriously exitting his gate and coming to rest on his lap was an impressive feat, but not necessarily effective at adding boat speed. Nonetheless, with the oar restored to its proper place before first-post corner, we again began to move the boat on.
Unfortunately, the intensity we had did begin to drop off as the crew got tired and coming through the Plough we were noticeably slowing. It is to the crew's credit that they then hauled themselves back into the race coming around Ditton. Whatever was said coming round the corner had an effect as they attacked the Reach with real aggression and again showed great character. While the quality of the rowing was lost with fatigue, the amount of power going down was a huge positive.
Despite the overall result, we're now looking forward to getting some great rowing done in the next week and building towards a great performance in the Talbott Cup.
Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2015 -
Posted as: A. Strange
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An excellent race to watch, especially after having already had a tremendously successful term of rowing. The importance of the occasion was clear but so too was their sense of humour (no trips to admire horses this time though) although I was mildly surpirsed by the absence of the M3 mankini at marshalling.
Off the start the crew built well into a solid rhythm, with patches of very good rowing tempered by moments where adrenaline caused us to be a bit more rushed than normal. Up to about head station we made good ground up on Emma in front of us overall.Sitting up tall into the corners paid dividends as we were able to consolidate by gradually advancing, although through the straights we were held. The tanks were thoroughly emptied down the Reach and I think rows like this will hopefully bring some good days of racing come Bumps next week!
Event: Pembroke Regatta 2015 - 3rd division
Posted as: A. Strange
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Watching from the bank, it was a pleasure to see M5 finally racing this term. As a scratch crew, it was the effort and commitment which they showed that was most pleasing to see. Neil called watching them the highlight of his day too (admittedly we were also the first race of the day, but who's counting).
The row itself was scrappy but with lots of effort going down. Churchill moved away off the start and despite our push continued to do so. The crew didn't let their heads drop however, and continued to lift on Nancy's calls - overall a very pleasing row from my perspective, and one which bodes well for the races later in term.
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2014 - Plate
Posted as: A. Strange
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Rowed well but unfortunately caught a crab during the start sequence. Although we held Clare for the rest of the race, they were too fast to catch. We managed to get some excellent rowing in however, and there is a huge amount of positivity to take away. I hope the crew enjoyed being able to row their first regatta of term - I know they'll be looking forward to showing the Cam what they can do in Fairbairns!
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2014 - Plate
Posted as: A. Strange
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A thoroughly encouraging win over good opposition. We moved well off the start with some of the best rowing that I have seen from this crew all term - they have come on leaps and bounds since Winter Head! Maggie held us firm off the start and, despite their best attempts to crash into us (Izzie was only hit twice by an oar for her troubles), once we settled onto race pace we rowed long and hard and pushed them away. A fantastic result!
Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2014 - Student Beginner VIIIs
Posted as: A. Strange
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Proud MLBC right here - rowed well with great intensity, and had a remark from a novice boat bank party that we were a senior crew. Still things to work on, but looking good in preparation for Clare Novices and Fairbairns!
Event: Cambridge Winter Head 2014 - Student Senior VIIIs
Posted as: A. Strange
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This was a highly enjoyable race with a slightly unfortunate end. Having moved well of the start and through the corners we gained on the crew in front, starting to pass them as we approached the railway bridge. With neither boat willing to cede the racing line and the other crew without space to maneuver, several blades clashed before Barney caught the slowest crab imaginable as his oar was slowly swallowed up under the other crew's bow. Our restart lacked the same intensity as the previous 2k, but shouldn't overshadow what a good race and warm-up we had.
Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2015 - 2nd division
Posted as: A. Strange
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Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2015 - 2nd division
Posted as: A. Strange
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Our best row of term. We had an awesome first half of the race - the blade work and boat set was excellent and the crew committed to each push. Coming through Chesterton (great line by Emily) we managed to hold the rhythm we had up to the railway bridge despite fatigue taking its toll and then pushed on again as we made it through the line.
The commitment to our race plan was always there and the entire crew raised their performance for the race. The rowing was unrecognisable from that at Emma Sprints 11 days ago, but the biggest impression left on me was the mental toughness to come back from losing to Fitz (twice) and Downing and beat them both by 15s over the course!
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Wednesday
Posted as: A. Strange
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Going into the day there were nerves, but also plenty of reasons to be confident. The crew was quick, well-drilled and ready to execute the race plan. A scrappy-ish start saw us move slightly inside station on Pembroke, but soon there were whistles for them and sure enough Queens were hit somewhere coming out of First Post or in the Gut: some evasive steering and a clash of Jake's blade on Pembroke's stern didn't dampen our rhythm and having gotten through the worst of the wash we managed a good lift out of Grassy.
Pushing hard out of Ditton we were holding Maggie on about station, settling onto a strong, pressed-out 36-37. At this point Maggie started to move up on us; we responded in kind and did our best to close them out, but moving out of the railway bridge we threw everything at them as they sat at half a length. Sadly they found another gear and ground us down, their bow ball hitting Emily's arm just past Peter's posts and a couple hundred metres short of the finish. It hurt bitterly, but with a calmer head I can say there's nothing we would have changed in our execution - while not the result we wanted we can be proud of the performance and are looking forward to a positive few days to come.
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Thursday
Posted as: A. Strange
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Putting the previous day's trials behind us, we went out and executed what we needed to. It wasn't particularly pretty, and we didn't kill off the chasing Peterhouse's race as effectively as we should have - we moved away when pushes were called for and allowed them to come back into it slightly whilst in our steady rhythm. Despite this they never troubled, staying somewhere between 2-4 lengths away down the course. The coming few days should have good prospects and will hopefully give an exciting end to the week.
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Saturday
Posted as: A. Strange
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Today was a bit like Thursday, where we did the job but could have done it better. The row down was clean and clinical; sadly we didn't carry that well into the race. We had a good start and got our first whistle 20 strokes or so in. Round First Post and into the Gut we allowed the boat to roll around but continued to eat them up slowly. Coming out of Grassy we moved again on them to 3 whistles and had overlap nearing Ditton and hit them somewhere near the entrance to the corner. Once their stern had disappeared underneath my rigger I was able to lean over and hit their stern rather loudly, much as Ed did with Maggie last Lents, but sadly there was no GoPro to dislodge this time to avenge the unsuccessful 'Operation Tripod' of last year. Overall a good result, but a performance with room for improvement.
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2016 - 1st division
Posted as: A. Strange
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Having last met Jesus in the final of Emma Sprints were we moved through them and took the win, this was a race worthy of being the final but sadly came too soon.
Off the start we moved up to them to take a lead of 3 seats, and they held us there for the next 100 metres or so. Gradually Jesus began to push back and the otherwise good rhythm started to come apart under such concerted pressure. At about the halfway mark the crews were back level when Jesus took a lift we couldn't match, surging to a length lead and pushing on to 1 1/2 lengths coming through the railway bridge.
We had a strong lift at that point to end the race, reducing the gap to a length but it wasn't enough to overhaul the deficit. Not our best row, but a good performance under pressure against a very strong crew and it was a great race to watch, with plenty of positives to take away for Fairbairns.
