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All race reports for Jonathan Glass

Event: Lent Bumps 2001 - Wednesday
Posted as: Jon
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The first eight had been expecting the weather to turn all day, and sure enough we pushed out as a gentle flurry of snow began to fall. After a slightly nervous row down, we found ourselves spinning on the four minute gun and pulled in with a couple of minutes to go. Starting strongly, we moved away from Caius before finding a rhythm down the gut and plough reach that took us out to about 2.5 lengths clear. After pushing into the reach the crew's attention drifted somewhat to the drama behind, as Emma closed on Caius to bump sometime after the railings. With Maggie just visible in the distance, we took it home comfortably to top finish.

Event: Lent Bumps 2001 - Thursday
Posted as: Jon
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With the first day butterflies laid to rest, we had a more comfortable row down and a solid practice start, again spinning on the four minute gun. The start was strong, we pulled away, and a good clean row through the Gut and around Grassy saw us a little outside distance coming past the Plough. Emma's plan from this point was clear; a series of pushes brought them gradually closer and although we responded well to each one, we failed to take back any distance. Their final move proved too much on the day - they achieved the bump at Morley's Halt.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2001 - 1st division
Posted as: Jon
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Another reasonable start saw us take a seat or two early on. Cruising higher than in previous races, we were moving fast but tired limbs had little to give through the railway bridge. We lost composure allowing Emma to take a lead of around two thirds of a length by Morley's Halt, when a misjudgement of the corner in the failing light saw us hit the inside of the final bend. We paddled over the line to complete an exhausting day.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Wednesday
Posted as: Jon
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The form guide was telling us that Caius would be faster than Emma. So it turned out, and we found ourselves in the middle of the sandwich - Caius moving up on us as we closed on Emma. Caius put in some strong pushes, and a momentary upset of balance on the reach cost us the final three feet. It was a good race, and sets up an interesting contest for the remainder of the week.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Thursday
Posted as: Jon
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As Will says, Maggie's rather lacklustre performance yesterday belied an expected turn of speed when given something to chase. It was a shame that we were unable to hold on in front of them, the row felt a little too sustainable and has given us something to think about for tomorrow.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Friday
Posted as: Jon
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Nice one 1st & 3rd. Felt a lot better than yesterday, and was a long enough race to feel some of that aerobic fitness coming into play. Maggie hit Emma as expected - could be all change in the top four tomorrow...

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Saturday
Posted as: Jon
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Finally, a bump, and Christs (along with their rather-too-optimistic boatman) nowhere to be seen. Having rehearsed the race on the previous day, we pretty much did what we set out to do. Putting Emma under pressure early, we closed well through to Ditton. From there it was simply push upon push until we had them, and none too soon as I was getting quite out of breath by the time they finally conceded. A pleasing end to the week, and a good starting point for whoever carries the torch into next year. Row Hard!!

Event: University IVs 2001 - Light IVs
Posted as: Jon
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With the return to form of Mr Peck, the crew upgraded its status from 3+ to 4- and prepared for battle. However, despite best efforts at publicity beforehand the bank party turnout was poor, so much so in fact that the stroke seat from Mary G had deserted us and gone to support the 2nd IV. We rowed down to the railway bridge and decided on a start (best not to arrange these things too early for fear of leaking information to the opposition), retrieved our seat from the victorious 2nd IV and plodded off downwind towards the start.

We were pleased to find we had been drawn to start ahead, not knowing where the bottom finish post was, and as we paddled up into position gave a passable impression of people who might have rowed a bit, sometime, maybe even quite well, maybe not. The start however laid all doubts to rest as we careered our way under the motorway bridge and wallowed through the outflow. The stride was called, and we settled back to a leisurely pace (with Jesus closing fast) knowing that our superior fitness would tell in the end.

The corners were steered with unerring precision by Mr Thorne, with Mr Glass providing quiche (often even without prompting) as and when required to spur on the stroke side oars. Thus refreshed, the crew emerged onto the reach having made up most of the ground lost in the early stages. It was clear now that Jesus were flagging - their lack of race preparation and obvious inattention to the fitness requirements of the modern rower began to show as they wilted in the headwind, while the grim determination of Mr Andrews served to spur the Trinity crew on into the wind. By the railings we were comfortably moving away, and a disasterous Jesuan attempt to cut the corner half way down the reach only served once again to underline the dangers of not spending sufficicient time practicing the necessary line. Their fate was sealed, and as 1st & 3rd kicked for home at the railway bridge Jesus continued to recede. The final verdict, 15s.

Event: Cuppers Karting 2002 -
Posted as: Jon
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The man occupying the 5th seat in JPD's car, as we drove over to the inaugural cuppers karting competition, could have been forgiven for thinking we were taking the event a little too seriously when, ten minutes out of Cambridge, and already in the full throes of a tactical debate that would last most of the journey, we started cursing ourselves for leaving the cox-coach radio set behind in the boathouse. Putting four boaties together in such a situation is surely a recipe for competitive overload, and this was no exception. We discovered though, as JPD cruised across the finish line of a gruelling 2 1/2 hour endurance relay race over two laps clear of our nearest rival, that this is all fine as long as you win.

It had been raining all afternoon, and having put up with a rather damp outing I was hoping the rain would continue into the evening - the chance of racing on a glorified skid pan in machines with a top speed quoted as 70mph was too good to miss, and we were all glad to see a steady drizzle continuing to fall as we threaded our way through a maze of roundabouts towards the centre of Milton Keynes, to finally find the race track. After signing the required disclaimers and vouching that none of us were pregnant or carrying back injuries (!) we were issued with some rather fetching overalls and introduced to kart number 13, which was to be our steed for the evening. Twenty minutes' practice allowed us only time for two or three laps each to get acquainted with the circuit, but one of those laps put us into second position for the start.

Safely across the line and up to race speed, yours truly was involved in an early coming-together at turn four, as the field bunched a little eagerly under braking for the hairpin. Emerging from this in third place, I had three or four clear laps to get settled before encountering the first of the (tragically slow) backmarkers. Weaving round these provided interesting sport for the next fifteen laps, and the regular appearance of yellow flags all around the circuit gave me confidence that others were finding the traffic as much, if not more, of a frustration than I. Coming off the gas every time I passed a marshal under a yellow flag saved me from the black flags suffered by many teams for driving recklessly, and I continued to pass cars, without being passed myself. It was then that I noticed, through my rain-soaked visor, that the pit crew appeared to be giving me the finger. This could mean one of two things, the second being that I was in the lead. I refused to believe this until I was called in for a driver change, but so it turned out, and even after refuelling the kart and sending Neil out on his merry way, we were still comfortably ahead.

On paper Neil should have been the weak link in the team, without the hundreds of hours of either real (JPD) or virtual (JMG, MCP) race experience of the other team members, but although lapping a couple of seconds slower than some on the circuit, he drove consistently and, as viewed from the pit-wall, improved tremendously over the course of his 35 minutes on the track. He drove a clean leg and showed a cool head in traffic, though a tendency to make use of the pedals in tandem did nothing for the temperature of his brakes, maintaining our lead sufficient to put Martin out onto the track in 1st place after the next change.

Those hoping for a calmly focussed, consistent drive from Mr Peck were a little disappointed to see a black flag appear for car 13 only a couple of laps after he had gone out onto the track. What had happened? Had Martin overtaken under a yellow, or perhaps punted some innocent backmarker off into the gravel rather than taking the trouble to brake for the hairpin. Either way he'd been spotted - his number was up (literally) - no more Mr Nice Peck... or so we thought. Turns out, the muppet had only gone and run a red light on the way out of the pit lane. A brief admonishment from one of the stewards and he was on his way, in SECOND PLACE. Luckily, with a consistent drive and the odd pit-stop from our near rivals, Martin climbed back into the lead and extended it. With the general standard of driving improving, both in terms of car speeds and number of yellow flag incidents on the track, Martin had the chance to set a string of good lap times until he inexplicably pulled into the pits on lap 59. Our complicated system of frantic waving had been imitated, it seems, by another team trying to get their own driver to come in. Luckily, JPD spotted the hapless Peck drifting into the pits and waved him on. He completed a further four laps, remaining just ahead of a rapidly closing 2nd place car, before pulling in for the third and final time to allow our secret weapon, Mr Jonathon of Davies, some track time.

A couple of laps in and Emmanuel's (2nd) top driver pulled off for a driver change, putting a much more erratic driver back on the track. Jon pulled away by at least 10s a lap and soon we were a lap in front. Some outrageously fast, and consistent lap times put all our previous efforts to shame and when he caught car 14 for the second time to put us two laps in the lead, more than a small cheer went up from those of us watching his progress from the pits. Sadly, the race was cut short due to the late arrival of the coach that brought most of the competitors from Cambridge, and hence late start of the race itself, so Jon's run was shorter than it might have been, but no less sweet for it. Those extra ten minutes, and perhaps a little less faffing by Mr Peck, might have seen us finish three laps in front but we were happy enough with two, and with bringing the title back to (1st & 3rd) Trinity. Long may it continue...

Event: May Bumps 2002 - Wednesday
Posted as: Jon
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Relaxed and confident row down, and a good hard start and first few minutes. Christs were too slow though, and Robinson hit them as we sat within a length.
Rowed the course looking for the cheeky overbump, and a bit of firm pressure practice, and established a good rhythm to take into tomorrow's race

Event: FaT vs BPBC Cricket Challenge 2004 -
Posted as: Jon
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I can report that the bruise on my thigh is progressing nicely, blue centre is changing to yellow with the blue spreading outwards. I'm expecting a full rainbow before it finally disappears

Event: RTT Regatta 2004 - Open 1x
Posted as: Jon
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Lost to Gaypers, by less than a fair reflection of our difference in speed

Event: RTT Regatta 2004 - Open 1x
Posted as: Jon
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Feeling quite good with the strokeside blade, but very strange things happening on bowside, my quarter-slide feathered start didn't give me the best first couple, and just as I got up to speed the bank started coming rapidly towards me. Perhaps little more practice next time...?

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2003 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: Jon
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One of the more powerful crews to have been fielded by Black Prince, we found quite a sedate rhythm into a mild headwind, with which we managed to sustain our boat speed throughout the length of the course. A good enough time to win the Invitational VIIIs, though just pipped by Downing on the official timings and trailing in the wake of CUBC. Along with the other Black Prince results, an excellent weekend for the club.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2004 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: Jon
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Our paddling was pretty solid from the outset, with plenty of opportunity to lay down what power the we could muster, limited by rusty technique / lost fitness / sleep deprivation as appropriate. After a disasterous start and a couple of minutes to settle, we found a good rhythm which carried us through to the railway bridge and then a half-decent lift down the reach. It felt like we lost speed in the latter stages, certainly not managing much of a lift into the finish, but nonetheless posted a strong time in amongst the college 1st VIIIs and well ahead of any other second boats. Some great work from last-minute addition Russ in the cox's seat ensured we kept Benchers at bay on the row home as we enjoyed a bit of 'non-competitive steady state' in front of them

Event: Welsh 3000's 2005 - Elite IV-
Posted as: Jon
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This was a lot tougher than I expected. After a gentle climb up Crib Goch and a while spent balancing on the ridge waiting for everyone to reach the summit, six of us set off as a 'fast group'.
The descent of Snowdon was rapid, a combination of walking, jogging and sliding over wet grass. Briefly getting lost at the bottom of Elidir Fawr, we settled into the longest climb of the day. Neil (having been on a survival exercise the previous week) was suffering badly by this point, so we reluctantly left Jess to look after him and set off ahead.
The visibility gradually improved until as we descended Glyder Fach the cloud lifted above the top of Tryfan and it suddenly became a glorious day. Unhelpfully though, we'd all run out of water after so long trekking on the ridge-top so the sunshine wasn't as welcome as it should have been.
After a steady descent from Tryfan and a break at the bottom, we started the last big climb of the day, up onto the third and final ridge. We weren't climbing particularly fast by this stage, but having reached the top we made good progess along the (much flatter) ridge and ticked off the last few in good time, to finish well inside 12h.
A couple of navigational errors and a few more stops than we maybe needed suggest that we could have been inside eleven hours without too much more effort - cracking ten looks pretty hard to me though!

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2005 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: Jon
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Feeling the absence of a ratemeter pretty badly here, we hit a solid but slightly pedestrian rhythm off the start before nudging it up a gear out of Chesterton and onto the Reach.

A good result for FaT, and a slightly below-par time for us. Still, we won our division by a minute, which is more than Caius managed! Where were Lady Somerset?

Event: FaT vs. BPBC Golf Challenge 2006 -
Posted as: Jon
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Tom and Andrew were looking a little rusty at the start of this one, and we moved into an early lead. Two up, teeing off at the 6th, we were getting quite confident, before Andrew putted from off the green for 2, with Darcy unrewarded for a good par.
At the seventh, FaT continued to build momentum, and I was very pleased to sink a tricky putt to at least halve the hole, before Tom missed one to give us the point. Two up with two to play and we were assured at least not to lose, but a couple of disasterous tee shots saw us lose the 8th.
At the ninth, Darcy's tee shot went sailing over to the lake, while I thinned mine about 15yds through the long grass. Darcy found his ball in the mud and played a great shot out of the lake, while I hacked my way onto the green in three. We were both 20ft away in three, with our opponents 6ft away in two - not looking good. Fortunately, I came up with the putt of my life for 4, then could hardly bear to watch as Andrew and Tom both came tantalisingly close with their efforts.
End result a win, but by the narrowest of margins!

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2006 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: Jon
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Cantabs were quite quick, and there was I assuming the invitational category was only for crews that didn't train!

We were 48.2s down at half way and 1:32 off at the end, so fitness obviously not a problem.

Good to beat Pig's Ear at least...

Event: FaT vs. BPBC Golf Challenge 2007 -
Posted as: Jon
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Off the first tee I thinned it into the lake, setting a trend of poor tee shots which luckily only let up whenever Mike got into difficulties. This fortuitous coincidence, rather than the consistency that the result might suggest, saw us take the first five holes and a comfortable win. Luckily, the match was over before my subsequent 8 on the 6th.

Event: City Sprints 2007 - CRA S4 4+
Posted as: Jon
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Surprised not to see you racing NV 1x, Martin...

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2007 - Invitation IV's
Posted as: Jon
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The picture is probably a kind reflection on the quality of rowing for the first couple of minutes, though with four bowsiders in the boat it's not a surprise which riggers are in the water.

Given time to settle in and some pressure from behind, things improved dramatically though, and it was very satisfying to see Caius (1st IV) fail to gain more than a length between Chesterton and the finish.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2007 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: Jon
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Helped out this year by a little bit of practice, we managed a much more comfortable row than last time around. A relaxed 32ish most of the way felt maybe a little too relaxed, but who knows what pushing harder might have done for the quality of the rowing in the latter stages. Our major opposition came from a reasonably stacked Emma boat, whom we beat by 15s to regain the Invitational title.
A lot seems to have changed since I left, and I'm not just talking about table football in the bar... we beat Caius and were beaten by Homerton. What's going on there?

Event: BPBC Karting 2009 - Twin-engined Honda pro-karts
Posted as: Jon
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As unmitigated disasters go, this was surprisingly enjoyable. Martin has already explained the circumstances of the black flagging, so I won't add to that. I got the longest stop of anyone, having not understood the waving and pointing efforts of the marshals to indicate that all of the leading cars were to stop, meaning I came in two laps later. The second half of the race was great fun as I struggled to make up lost time, however I then got bogged down behind a rather 'determined' backmarker and my lap times suffered accordingly.

Certainly I was beaten for pace by the three cars ahead of me on the starting grid. On a different day, I'd have hoped to remain 4th. JPD's fastest lap is particularly impressive for the fact that he's not a great deal lighter than me, so I can't have any excuses there.

Event: BPBC Karting 2009 - Twin-engined Honda pro-karts
Posted as: Jon
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I started near the back of this race, but some determined efforts to warm my tyres on the formation lap seemed to pay dividends and I passed perhaps half the field skirting a pile-up on the first corner.

I passed a few more people and may briefly have led, before I was passed by Keith on the uphill drag from turn #8, from where I struggled to hold onto him. I had a good tussle with Clive for 2nd place in the closing laps until, lying 2nd with a lap to go, I was the victim of a bit of metal braking into turn #10 and Clive passed me for 2nd.

Event: May Bumps 2015 - Wednesday
Posted as: Jon
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A slightly nervy first half of the race today, despite a strong start gaining on Jesus and very solid corners, Jesus were a fraction outside distance at the Plough and Newnham were pushing hard and closed to within a quarter of length entering Ditton. Another good corner and a superb push out onto the reach and it was clear that Newnham's race plan didn't extend any further down the course. Everyone relaxed at this point and the rowing consequently improved, which bodes well for the entire course tomorrow!

Event: May Bumps 2015 - Saturday
Posted as: Jon
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What an amazing result! A crew that has risen to the challenge and thrived under pressure over four seriously hard days of racing. So much potential for next year, but for now just bask in the glow of your richly deserved bump and highest ever position for a FaT 1st Women's VIII!