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All race reports for Daniel Walker

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2000 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Dan
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This race sticks in my mind for the following reasons:
a) I was p*ssed off at being moved down from the 2nd VIII
b) It took ages
c) The enormous boat-stopper that John Rudge caught at the Motorway Bridge. I never thought it could take so long to get from there to the finish line...

Event: Lent Bumps 2000 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Before we set out, we'd discussed with Crawford what our tactics should be for the race. It was clear we had a quick start but weren't very fit, and so, on the basis that our stroke was a "gambling man" we decided to blast it off the start and see what happened. A tactic neatly summarised by Mark: "There is no plan B".

So we had a stonking start, hitting some ridiculous rating and starting gaining on Downing. It got to the Gut (I think) and while it had been a struggle, we had just about heard the three hooters from Crawford. It wasn't certain we'd get them, but we were damn close.

However, it was not to be - the drama unfolded right before my very eyes (I was at 2) as Skorov landed oddly on his seat and derailed it. With 7 of us rowing and Peter finding he simply couldn't get his seat back on, we fell back. Unfortunately for Guy (the stern was still oblivious), Mark's intermittent "call off the attempt" hooter blasts was misinterpreted as "overlap". Some pretty stormy moods and cold looks were in evidence in the boathouse afterwards...

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Wednesday
Posted as: Dan
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The low point of my college rowing career. We pulled our guts out and watched Sidney gain on us all the way down the Reach, finally overbumping us at Morley's Holt.

We sat there, totally quiet, pulled into the bank for what seemed like an age. On the way home Crawford passed us on his bike - Harding broke the bad news...

Event: Cambridge 99's Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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The rhythm was perhaps a little bit better, but whilst Girton weren't as quick as Emmanuel they still got away as the rating sagged for the second part of the course. Not the best of days for the 2nd VIII.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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Again on the meadow side, we had a decent start but still lost about a length and a half to them. We maintained distance from there all the way home, taking the rating up to something ridiculous by the end for one last push, but it was all in vain.

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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True to his word, John wound to 42 today but despite some last minute huddling behind a car, Emma were just too good for us.
So, is it 44 tomorrow then John?

Event: Lent Bumps 2001 - Tuesday
Posted as: Dan
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Despite closing to within 3/4 of a length of Downing III by First Post Corner they bumped a shockingly bad Peterhouse II. We rowed over reasonably comfortably, closing down to within 3 lengths of Darwin I who started 6 1/2 lengths ahead of us before they bumped Girton. We finished at least 8 lengths ahead of Corpus II - the boat directly behind us. Roll on Wednesday!!!

Event: Lent Bumps 2001 - Wednesday
Posted as: Dan
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We set off again from station 13, winding it up to about 36 and no sooner had we reached our 'surge' than we got the first horn. As a result the rate change didn't really happen and we kept it going at a pretty high rating that felt powerful and pretty controlled. Two horns, three and then continuous followed in very quick succession and we had to hold it hard under the Motorway Bridge after bow's bladed ended up between Peterhouse's cox and stroke man! It could have been quite nasty but everything was OK (except Andy's rigger).
We were very chuffed on the way home with just one question in our minds: why did it take Downing III till first post to catch them yesterday? Friday will be an interesting day...

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Wednesday
Posted as: Dan
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Considering this was the crew's first...ahem...tenth outing together this was a really good row. The start was nice and powerful and we moved up on a rather weedy looking King's II ahead.

The stride, however, led to a bit of a drop in power and boatspeed and soon Clare III were gaining with remarkable pace from the stern. Although I tried to concede early, apparently it was quite late - in my defence, I was holding on to the rudder strings at that point.

Tomorrow we'll try and get them back and make more improvements to go harder, faster and for longer!

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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After two good wins against Tit Hall and Maggie, it was pretty clear that Christs would be a bigger challenge in the semi-final. With Rebecca North in the cox's seat we pushed off as usual and embarked on a similar style warm-up to what we'd been doing on previous days. We were heartened by a late night post on the CUCBC message board by Christs II, asking if they could borrow a plastic racing shell for the days racing...unfortunately, it looked like they'd found one!

Marshalling and going off in the 3rd race as head boat, we had Andrew, Martin and Ian around to bank party us. The start positioning was once again quite tricky due to the blustery wind, but Guy's umpiring expertise soon had both crews ready to go. So we did. First time! Our start wasn't as powerful as the day before's, neither was our stride, so it wasn't really until Grassy that we started to hit any decent race rhythm. Once again our push into the Reach was nice, picking up quite a bit of boat speed, but all the time we could see Christs were gaining. A determined final push and wind saw us home just after Christs - a deficit that was confirmed later as 6s. We'd run it close, but weren't quite good enough on the day.

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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After a brief chat to decide how we would improve on yesterday's row, we pushed off with plenty of time and rowed down to Chesterton, where our bank party of JPD, Henry and Andrew helped us marshall. With plenty of time to spare, we had time to contemplate the pros and cons of a variety of women's boats racing past and Boat Race cox calls (deciding "Panther" was a good call) - but, most importantly that we'd rather shit in our pants than lose to Lady Margaret. We paddled down to top station, and as the first race off, quickly got ourselves ready to race. LMBc - coached by Blues rower Tom Edwards-Moss - looked alright, it was going to be a close race.

After much realignment, Guy got us underway. Our start wasn't as good as yesterday, but the power was still there - once again I was knackered by the end of First Post Reach. We kept it up to the Reach, with a series of pushes. Much to our surprise the anticipated massive headwind in the Reach failed to materialise so we made the most of it and did a push, taking the rating up and putting even more power in the water. All this time Maggie appeared just about on station, but as we beasted the reach it became apparent they were starting to lag behind. A final shout to wind it up came just after the railings, and when we saw LMBC's finish marshall drop his hand after ours, we knew we'd won. Just. Three cheers and much stretching later we were back in the boat and paddling home. It'd been hard, but we'd beaten the Maggie scum! Christ's tomorrow.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Saturday
Posted as: Dan
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Yay! My 2nd ever bump was almost as quick as my first against Peterhouse II last year. We had a pretty bad start, decided not to bother with the stride and had them within 25 strokes!

Overall, we achieved our crew goals for the term with a bit of luck, some guts and a little skill - just what Bumps is all about. Best wishes to next year's crew, taking the 2nd boat onwards and upwards.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Pretty much as Matt described - the way Bumps works, I'm afraid. I have to say I'm most disappointed by Christ's reaction to the whole thing - their Captain Danny Lanyi appealed to CUCBC for a re-row claiming it was Iain Law who told us to stop. Utter bollocks.

Tomorrow will be fun. :)

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Saturday
Posted as: Dan
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And so it came to the last day with our blades in sight. Despite knowing that we were quicker than Peterhouse, we tried not to count our chickens too much before the race - good crews go up 3, only lucky ones go up 4 - or so the saying goes.

As it happened, I don't remember much about the row down, but our start was pretty phenomenal and when it became apparent we were gaining on Peterhouse we binned the stride and kept going hard and fast down First Post Reach. Soon enough we were inside a length, and there wasn't a chance in Hell we were going to let Peterhouse get away!

Our final push gave us the Bump in the gut, at which point I got absolutely drenched by someone in the Peterhouse boat (Tim Wooge?) catching a colossal crab. We pulled in and cheered Jesus and Girton on behind us before heading to the Reach for the start of the champagne and beer fuelled celebrations.

On our return to the boathouse we discovered a rather large hole in the hull from hitting Peterhouse - we were really flying. It was smiles all around and especially pleasing for me as I achieved my first blades at my last ever Bumps for First and Third.

Now placed as the 4th 2nd VIII on the river, let's hope we can continue going up and regain our ultimate goal of a place in the 1st division. Good luck to next year's crew!!

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Friday
Posted as: Dan
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More cox-box problems for the 2nd VIII today as we were forced to do our warm-up down to Chesterton with nothing more than Sam shouting commands at us. Despite this minor impediment we took the opportunity to demonstrate our feet out square blades stroke build to Girton as they warmed up ahead of us.

The rest of the row down was incredibly shoddy with, what has been largely agreed as, our worst practice start of the week outside the Plough barely reaching 40. Small matter, however, as in the race itself we set off reasonably and could see LMBC were making no impression on us from behind.

Unfortunately our impression on Girton was decidedly un-impressive...half a length by the end of Grassy was all we'd managed. However, at this point the crew decided it was time to row together and put in good pushes down Plough Reach and most spectacularly round Ditton into the headwind. This brought us to within 10 feet or so of Girton - a gap which was whittled away slowly but surely over the next strokes.

Finally as the "Overlap" and "KILL KILL KILL..." calls came we put in a monster push to pull up alongside Girton. Some hard steering by Sam brought us onto them and their gorgeous cox somehow ended up just where Martin wanted her - sandwiched between his blade and Maris'. Errr. A fine for dangerous coxing for Sam and some scratches for Rebecca, for which we apologise.

No splashing of water today, or general foolhardiness by the bowman - I must get my sense of humour back by tomorrow. Peterhouse...and our coach from earlier this term, Tim Wooge.

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Today's race was a far more pleasant affair than yesterday's overall. After a mediocre row down to the start with concerns over JPD's fitness on everyone's mind, we pulled in with plenty of time to spare before the gun. Once again lots of buftie support was on hand and much appreciated.

The start was a good one - better than yesterday - but once again it was nearly impossible to hear any of Sam's calls thanks to the huge amount of noise emanating from the bank. We decided to surge to a higher rating to counter any attempt to burn us up by Jesus, but as it transpired they made little impression and we were soon within a length of Maggie.

As we responded to each of their pushes we slowly gained on LMBC but were left with a tantalising 4-feet-one-minute, 3-feet-the-next gap coming past the Plough. Finally we got overlap coming onto the Reach and the 2nd "Kill" call of the race led to a beefy surge and my blade hitting their stern.

This time I resisted the temptation to stick my hand in the air and, credit to the LMBC cox, he acknowledge promptly. As we pulled over the elation of claiming my first bump on Maggie went to my head and I ended up soaking Maris with a "We've won the Boat Race" style splash in the water. Meanwhile Henry celebrated by catching a crab. Girton tomorrow...it's going to be a tough one.

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Yes...don't really have much to add to Sally's account other than to admit responsibility. It was a really stonking row by the 3rd VIII that deserved at least a row-over and was by far the best I've seen them row.

It was my incredibly bad cornering that was responsible for getting bumped - all credit to the crew and lots of scowling glances at Dan tomorrow...

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Wednesday
Posted as: Dan
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We had a pretty good warm-up and paddle down to the start, hitting our ratings of 30 and 34 with ease. Spinning with plenty of time to spare we were heartened to see a good bank-party presence in the form of ex-2nd May boaties Mike Goodson and Graham Fisher.

Our start went pretty much according to plan, the annoying wash from other boats messing us up a bit but not too badly. What was unexpected, however, was that in the bowseat it is virtually impossible to hear anything the cox is saying. Hmmm...as a result I just guessed that I was meant to row hard, especially as Queen's II closed dramatically down First Post Reach.

Coming round the First Post corner it was evident that Queen's were about a metre off bumping us...hmmm...time to pull hard again! After some damn good steering by Sam we shrugged them off and they faded away to ultimately be bumped by Wolfson. Very good row by them though.

After ditching Queen's it was done to catching Jesus II. We seem to have them 1/2 a length for ages, until at least on the Reach the gap closed. Overlap, several kill calls (apparently) and desperate one-man pushes from the bowman followed with no visible effect.

Finally, we got them just after the Railway Bridge before Morley's Holt, yours truly being so elated that he stuck his hand in the air - clearly forgetting that he wasn't coxing this race. :) LMBC II tomorrow (I think)...

Event: University IVs 2001 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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As the 2nd IV pushed off at the start, at just past 2pm, we thought it was our day - Tit Hall II had failed to show up and we prepared to do a grind and easy row over in preparation for our race tomorrow. Unfortunately CUCBC had other ideas and pulled us back in to inform us we'd have to hang around for 40 minutes as Tit Hall had turned up but not rowed down because of a marshalling error. Humph. Still, we stuck about, and after seeing the state Tit Hall were in when they finally arrived we were confident of putting in a good performance.

We lined up as lead boat and waited while Hall tried to point their boat down the river rather than across it. Lauren shouts "Attention. Go!" - we go, they don't. We return. The explanation is that they didn't hear the start. We wait a bit longer. More straightening frolics ensue. "Attention. Go!" - we go, they don't. We return. Tit Hall are confirmed as officially deaf. Lauren stands next to us and points the megaphone at Tit Hall. "Attention. Go!" - this time we're off! Winding to some unfeasibly high rating and scrapping all vestiges of the start we'd worked on beforehand we pelt off down First Post Reach. I feel knackered (Bumps styleee) by First Post Corner, but no matter, Tit Hall aren't gaining! We keep it up, the rating that is, all the way to the Reach where we hit the wind hard, slowing up quite a bit and spacking wildly. No matter: we take the rating up. Halfway down the Reach we see Tit Hall come around Ditton and perform the same boat-stopping manoeuvre. With a final push we take it home, and all see that Tit Hall are far from the line. Breathing, shouting, swapping rowers and celebrating all take place under the Railway Bridge. Bring on LMBC!!

Event: Newnham Short Course 2004 - 1st division
Posted as: Dan
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Pretty pleased with this - a definite improvement on the Head2Head. I felt pretty knackered by the end, but looking forward to the next race where I might be able to use more than just my left leg! :)

Event: May Bumps 2004 - Saturday
Posted as: Dan
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It means no worries for the rest of your days...

Event: May Bumps 2004 - Wednesday
Posted as: Dan
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A powerful and gutsy but rather scrappy race resulted in us rowing over ahead of Sidney with Peterhouse somewhere in the distance ahead after Pembroke hit Downing II incredibly early.

Having only got BP2 back from Janousek this morning the patches of bad balance were understandable and hopefully we can extend some of the rather good bits of rowing we had today to cover the course.

Downing II are ahead tomorrow, no doubt desperate not to get hit by us, and Sidney will be looking for that killer edge behind.

Event: Lent Bumps 2004 - Saturday
Posted as: Dan
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I was a bit disappointed with Downing today. Despite a good dose of Le Spack from myself they didn't get anywhere near us. Looks like we were 2nd quickest on the river, which is a bloody good result. Great to see the ex-novices pull hard in M2 as well. Training for Mays starts on Monday - let's go and kick some ass.

Event: Lent Bumps 2004 - Friday
Posted as: Dan
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Phew - quite a fun race! We geared up today and decided to go for it off the start, maintaining 40 for the first 1.5 mins. We closed to a length off Caius but couldn't get any closer, having dropped Downing by about 3-4 lengths. Having planned to race to Ditton it was then a case of hanging on and, true to form, Downing closed to overlap at Morley's Holt. We held them off to the finish.

Event: Lent Bumps 2004 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Another decent row, with generally better bladework and good responses to the pushes down the Reach and out of the corners. Unfortunately we let it slip a bit towards the finish, allowing Downing to close, something we'll work on for tomorrow.

Event: Cambridge Head-2-Head 2004 - 1st division
Posted as: Dan
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The race down was rather shabby and never really hit top gear. The race back up was significantly better for 1/2 of it, weakening a bit in the Reach and then suffering from a last minute with only 7 rowing. The rest of the 1st VIIIs appear within fairly easy reach, except Downing for whom we are going to have to take things to a whole new level. Which we will I hope.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2003 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: Dan
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Not a bad row, but not great either. It never felt that powerful and we failed to achieve the rhythm and length we would have liked to.

Still...as 'Mac' once said: "Job done"

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2003 - 2nd division
Posted as: Dan
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I didn't see the race, but can I just say congratulations to the 3rd women for being the 2nd fastest 3rd boat on the river (behind those Maggie beasts). Well done girls - stonking result!

Event: Head of the River Race 2005 - Senior2 VIIIs
Posted as: Dan
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Take a look at the pictures of us racing here

I know Simon may be reaching further than others, but looking at the loom angle relative to 3 and 7, and where the spoon is, doesn't it look like his blade is about 1ft shorter than everyone else's?

Event: May Bumps 2005 - Thursday
Posted as: Dan
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Fantastic guys, absolutely fantastic! Am very jealous you've achieved what no other Trinity 2nd boat has achieved since 1999 and could do even better tomorrow...

Event: FaT v BPBC Football Challenge 2007 - Football XI
Posted as: Dan
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Friendly match??

Event: FaT v BPBC Football Challenge 2008 - Football XI
Posted as: Dan
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A stunning hat-trick by Talbott won the day, ably supported by a solid defensive backline (Glass, Ingram, Holland, JPD), fantastic goalkeeping from Goodson, and lots of mincing midfielders.

Event: Head of the River Race 2009 - Senior3 VIIIs
Posted as: Dan
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Well done guys - fantastic result. Great to see First and Third doing so well at a national event!