Race Reports by User

Find Rower Enter/edit crews

All race reports for Jon Davies

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Saturday
Posted as: Jon D
Event Link

A slight adjustment in crew order saw us hitting around 42 of the start again, but Jesus II were more powerful and bumped us just before First Post Corner.
Tomorrow: Get pissed again.

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Friday
Posted as: Jon D
Event Link

Having been bumped quickly by Emma II yesterday, we did not expect to bump back, so instead concentrated on holding off Caius II. Jesus II had pushed Caius II hard off the start on the first two days, so the plan was to sprint from the start until Caius were bumped by Jesus. Caius had overlap on us coming out of First Post Corner, and Jesus had overlap on Caius. We held them for maybe 10 strokes down the Gut, but they bumped us just before Grassy. A disgruntled row home didn't help affairs. Come and watch us attempt to rate 50 off the start to hold off Jesus II for as long as possible tomorrow.
Saturday: Chasing Caius II, chased by Jesus II.

P.S. At least we avoided being hit by the scum by being overbumped on Wednesday.

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Thursday
Posted as: Jon D
Event Link

A change of tactics saw us wind to 42 and then hold 40 in an attempt to catch LMBC II. We took about 1/4 length out of them on the start and another 1/4 coming out of First Post Corner, but Emmanuel II behind were too quick, and bumped us after 90 seconds in the Gut. Similar to yesterday - a bit messy with reasonable speed, but simply not quick enough.
Friday: Chasing Emmanuel II, chased by Caius II.

Event: May Bumps 2001 - Wednesday
Posted as: Jon D
Event Link

A powerful if slightly messy start rating 40 saw us hold station with Downing II ahead and LMBC II behind. As we settled into our race rhythm rating 35-36 in the Gut LMBC II moved up on us, but Girton moved up even quicker on LMBC II to bump out at Grassy. Sidney (I) were still a long way behind, but our rating and boat speed never dropped. On the Reach it became clear that Sidney were significantly quicker, and must have been gaining nearly half a canvas on us every stroke. They hit us at the Railway Bridge, unfortunately failing to easy on Chris' acknowledgement of the bump, resulting in a bent rigger.
Despite the disappointing end result, we rowed reasonably well to achieve our highest sustained boat speed of the term, and the determination with which we rowed was inspiring.
Thursday: Chasing LMBC II, chased by Emmanuel II.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Senior4 VIIIs
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

We again had a good row, although not as aggressive as in the first race. We lost to Winchester School.

Event: Lent Bumps 2002 - Friday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We had aimed to hit the scum by Ditton. A fast start was complimented by a powerful stride down to 38, which was quite controlled. We pushed hard through the Gut and up Plough Reach, which saw us close to within a length of Maggie and 3 lengths clear of Christ's. Our fast start began to take it's toll as we came out of Ditton, and we lost ground to Maggie, as they bumped Emma somewhere around the railings. We lowered the rate slightly and pushed on hard, with a solid, chunky row, although we were pretty tired as our 4 minute race had turned into an 8 minute one. Christ's gained back on us, but we pushed hard for the finish with what looked to me like a little over 1/2 length clear water.

An awesome row, let's see what tomorrow brings.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Senior4 VIIIs
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

In our heat we had a strong row to come second to Emma I (the Head Crew) by only 1 second in a time of 3:09 (only 3 seconds off the MS4 8+ course record)! Heat winners went straight into the Final, second place to the repercharge.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2002 - Senior4 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

My opposition gained a few feet off the start. I then hit a buoy and missed a couple of strokes, which my oppo did a few strokes later, after which he had about 1/2 length advantage. He was just a bit quicker than I was, and my pushes didn't seem to make much of a difference.

Will complete when results are available.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2002 - Senior4 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

After some shocking sculling and still level with my oppo at the half way point, I decided it was time to ditch any attempt to scull properly and just push hard for the finish. This worked better than I expected, and quickly opened up a lead of a length, which became 2 by the end.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2002 - Novice 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

My oppo looked to be about 16 years old, but quite technical. He gained a few feet on the start, after which I steadily sculled through and pulled away to obtain senior sculling status.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2002 - Novice 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Hit a buoy on the outside of the course on the 9th stroke, and then went completely outside the course boundary, neccessitating a sharp strokeside and then bowside corner to avoid a launch and get back on course. Fortunately, I was still level with my oppo, and was able to move away in what was probably my best scull of the day.

Event: Molesey Amateur Regatta 2002 - Senior2 IV+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

A reasonable but short row to the start set up a reasonably relaxed feeling in the boat. We took a lead of a few seats on our start, and settled into a fairly chunky, smooth rhythm. However, our race pace just wasn't as fast as theirs, and they rowed back through us. We didn't cope very well with some wash about 200m in, and then had a bit of a shipwreck with about 250m to go. Chris reckoned this was his "most satisfying loss" ever.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Senior4 IV+
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

This was not a great race - we had jumped straight from the VIII to the IV, with Will and I having done the MN 4+ just before that. The boat felt very heavy, and at 600m it was obvious we were out of contention, so we took the rate down to save ourselves.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Senior4 IV+
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

I didn't see the heat, but from what I could gather the crew had a technical row to claim second, and a place in the repercharge.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Novice IV+
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

As in our heats, we lost ground off the start. At 500m Sam told us we were rowing through them, and despite two near-boatstopping incidents between then and the line we pushed all the way to take the win with the course record for MN 4+.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Novice IV+
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

With two crews going through to the final, and with Will and I trebling up, we had decided that if we were a comfortable second after 500m we would just aim to hold that. In the race, despite being second at 500m we pushed through our opposition to take the lead. At 750m, they had obviously taken the rate down to save themselves for the final. We followed their change to remain about a length in front.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2002 - Novice IV+
Posted as: jpd
Event Link

This, the Men's Novice coxed IVs, was the largest event of the day with 20 entries.
Our heat was our first race of the day. We had a very good start and surged to a very smooth 38. After 300m we were 2 lengths up on our opposition, at which point the rate dropped and we held our lead to win the heat.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2002 - Novice 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Much better steering, but the sculling left a lot to be desired. My start, which I have been working on quite a bit recently, allowed me to gain an advantage of maybe 1/2 length, but my oppo only dropped back further after about 300m.

Event: Bedford Quarts Regatta 2003 - S3 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Some dodgy steering from both crews resulted in the Simons scraping the bank after the other pair had moved into their lane.

Event: Molesey Amateur Regatta 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Our start was not great, and Staines moved up maybe 1/2 length in the first 10 strokes. As we settled in to our race, we rowed through them quite easily, and were a length up by 300m. Unfortunately, Tom was unaware of the corner in the middle of the course (believing it to be entirely straight), and so we had to stop. We set off 3 lengths down, and reduced the damage to 1 length by the finish. Staines won by default in their semi (after their opponents capsized), and were then beaten quite comprehensively by Dan and Oli in the final.

Event: St Neots Regatta 2003 - Senior 3 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Having listened to Eton Boy's and RTT's ideas about sculling and rowing, I decided to have a go at emulating their success. I was on the inside station, so my oppo had about 1/2 length headstart. I quickly dropped down to 1 1/2 lengths behind, but managed to settle onto a smooth, relaxed rhythm. Coming out of the corner I was 3/4 length down, at which point I really started moving and in the next 5-or-so strokes (the best race-pace sculling I've done) got back to almost level, by which point I knew I was going to win.

However, at hands away on the next stroke there was a bang - I had clipped a buoy. At first I didn't notice anything wrong, but as I approached the catch, something didn't feel right. I looked down. My bow side scull had bounced completely out of my hand without me noticing, and was trailing along the water parallel to the boat. At this point, I should have stopped sculling and taken time to sort it out. Unfortunately I instinctively chose to reach out past frontstops to grab the handle, putting most of my weight above the unsupported rigger. The predictable result occured.

The Boston sculler went on to win the final by one foot. At least I know I should be competitive tomorrow, although winning seems unlikely with Boy, E. competing in the opposite side of the draw.

Event: St Neots Sprint 2003 - Senior 3 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Nothing much to say here - his start was about 1 length quicker than mine (have been experimenting with a different one, will revert back for next race), and gradually closed back half a length by the end.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2003 - Elite 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Having only done 3 outings in the previous two weeks, we were quite surprised to take half a length off the opposition in the first ten strokes. The rowing was pretty good, and we moved out to a length in the lead by about 400m. Tom clipped a buoy, and I spent the rest of the course rowing below firm pressure to keep us on the course. We were gutted to discover that ours was the fastest heat.

Event: Peterborough Summer Regatta 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We lost a little to our opposition and were in fourth (last) place after the first 10 strokes. Our cruising speed was faster and by 500m we had worked our way back to second, just a quarter length behind the leaders. I clipped a buoy, which was followed by a slight overcorrection and Tom hitting a buoy. We lost our rhythm and again I found myself rowing below firm to keep us in a straight line. There was some consolation in the knowledge that we were on the pace.

Event: Peterborough Summer Sprint 2003 - Elite 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

With an entry of five, three of four semi-finalists went through to join Reading in the final. We had a good row in an awkward, gusting cross-head wind. Steering was not easy, but we avoided too much overlap with the buoys. With 100m to go, the first two boats were out of our reach, but we were about level with Peterborough. With 3 strokes to go Tom reckoned we were just ahead, but over the line it must have been within a couple of inches. After a long delay, third place was given to Peterborough. The winners put up a time of 1:49 - 9 seconds slower than Cantabs' S2 time in good conditions earlier in the day.

Event: Peterborough Summer Sprint 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

A terrible start, with boat stoppers on strokes 3 and 4, was followed by what was probably the worst rowing we've done. As one of our oppo had scratched we went through to the repechage anyway.

Event: Peterborough Summer Sprint 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

With conditions still good, and with only the winner going through, there was nothing to lose. We had a good row, with a reasonably straight course, and won fairly comfortably.

Event: Peterborough Summer Sprint 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Conditions had started to deteriorate, and although the we rowed OK, we were never challenging the top two boats, whilst fourth was a long way back. My steering went off line, and Tom's blade got completed caught on the 90m buoy, and was dragged and attached to the 80m buoy, spinning us into the safety lane in the process. It took some time to become unattached, and we rowed over the line in 2:18.

We informed the umpire that the buoys were out of position, although he wasn't impressed as he thaught we were protesting.

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2003 - Senior1 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Bewdley started with about 1/3 length advantage, although crews should be started level. They moved out to almost a length by about 300m, but we moved back steadily and pushed through with about 200m to go. With about 20m to go, Tom's blade hit the blade of a Cambridge 99's pair who weren't properly in the navigation lane, but we had enough speed and advantage to drift across the line in front. Amusingly, the umpires ordered a rerow claiming we were impeded, but we managed to convince them that if a crew is impeded by an external event and still goes on to win the result stands.

This has probably been our most satisfying result yet - the Bewdley pair were powerful, we had a solid row and even my line wasn't bad considering we were in the middle lane of an unmarked course (with racing and navigation lanes on either side).

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2003 - Senior1 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We were again in the middle of the canal, and most of the race followed a similar pattern to that against Bewdley - they moved off the start to about 1/2 lenght, but we clawed back and pushed to just a couple of feet down with about 25 strokes to go. They then pushed back to gain 1/2 length advantage. Unfortunately we had drifted across into the navigation lane and got tangled with an eight with about 15 strokes to go. Although we would probably have lost the race without the collision, it was disappointing not to have such a close margin in the final of such a quality field - Bewdley were the quickest pair we have beaten, Southampton Uni (who were beaten by Northwich) went on to win several events through the weekend (including beating us and the quick Cantabs pair), and Northwich had won J2- at Nat Champs.

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2003 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We had a reasonable start, and held level through the first 100m. The rowing then quickly deteriorated, with first Tom, and a few strokes later me getting stuck in at the finish. A lot of the faults which we had worked on over the last two weeks resurfaced. Very disappointing.

Event: May Bumps 2003 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Over the last week and a half we have improved beyond measure; this showed in our paddle down to the start (despite a dodgy moment in our practice start).

The start of the race was quite tense, with some ripping which we had virtually eliminated in practice. However, St. Catharines had been pushed out angled toward the opposite bank, and this allowed us to close to 1/3 of a length by First Post Corner. Although there was no audible indication of this from the bank, the rocking and swaying sensation of being close to another boat was quite noticable at the kink in First Post Reach. St. Catharines then put their experience to work and began to open up the gap.

Meanwhile, Clare made very little impression behind (we had moved perhaps 1/4 length away off the start, they got it back by Grassy, and then they disappeared behind us increasingly rapidly). When it became obvious that we weren't going to bump Catz or be hit by Clare, Mark Hall (our finishing coach) called for us to save ourselves for the next day.

In front of Catz, Robinson hit Jesus a little before the Railway Bridge. Catz also decided to save themselves, but as we started our "practice" wind for the finish, Steph realised that they were well within distance, and seemingly hadn't noticed us moving up. Eventually they moved as well, and we were about 3/4 length off at the finish.

Let's see what drama day 2 can bring.

Event: Kingston Amateur Regatta 2003 - Senior2 IV+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

This was a more comfortable row than our senior 3 effort, as we settled onto a lower rating (32-34) with something which might optimistically be called "rhythm". We moved up a length by the end of the corner (we were on the inside station), and then held a little clear water until the finish.

Event: University IVs 2002 - Light IVs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

A smooth but hard row saw us pull away from Maggie, despite our close encounter with a barge and the bank on Grassy. Devastatingly, there was no finish marshal for LMBC, and so the race had to be rerun. We lost the rerow by 8 seconds, having struggled to turn strokeside corners. I know I'm not the only member of the crew who is completely gutted by this result. LMBC went on to win the final (quite easily, I believe).

Event: 2nd Trinity Challenge Sculls 2003 - Shell
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Not a bad scull considering how little I've been doing recently. First Post was taken a bit wide, but managed to keep in the nice rhythm I'd found from about head station. The first 3/4 of Grassy was brilliant, however I decided that I had completed the corner too early (I had noted on the way down to the start that I would be straight when parallel to the green barge, but forgot the colour and went straight on the red one), which then caused a very sharp bowside corner to avoid the bank on the outside. I think the wind was better on that side of Plough Reach, so probably not too bad. It did mean that I had a very tight line into Ditton, and with the shallows on the inside and my digging problem I hit the bottom on three consecutive strokes. When I hit the wind a few strokes later my rhythm was all but destroyed. Fore-arms burning (oops) I made my way up the reach, crossing early to the meadow side for the wind shadow (which wasn't in it's normal position). I crossed too early at Morley's Holt and clipped the bank, but picked up for a Henry-style high-rate-no-length finish.

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Open 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Raced in Muddy Waters for this as Dan Holland had taken Magpie. Unfortunetly couldn't get to backstops, but otherwise felt a lot nicer to scull in.

Note to self: single strokes in tail wind need more work.

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Open 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

On the outside station got about 3/4 length on the start, but Mark closed to about 1/2 on the corner. The tail wind had picked up and was whipping up some reasonable waves against the stream approaching the railway bridge. The sculling was not of a particularly high standard (meaning: terrible), but it got me through to the finish.

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Blade Swapping
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Got both blades over the bow side rigger, managed to hold both blades out of the swivel for a few seconds but failed to drop the stroke side one in and fell in, ripping open both sides of my right foot on the rigger. Oops.

Event: RTT Regatta 2003 - Open 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

As I was on the inside station, Alex had a 1/2 length head start. My start was good (or at least agressive), and after a few strokes we were clashing blades. Alex moved quickly away, and was able to cruise to the finish in front whilst I spannered at a high (but rapidly dropping) rate.

Event: Peterborough Sprint Regatta 2003 - Senior3 VIII
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Despite a weak first three or four strokes, the start became strong and we moved from a couple of seats down to a couple up on Fitz. Bradford rapidly dropped back, and we moved a little on Fitz with a surprisingly solid first third. We didn't capitalise on the dropping rate with a more relaxed rhythm (although many would argue that over 500m it's overrated anyway), and the pushes which Steph called for were not translated into anything cohesive. Fitz did a couple of good pushes, but we crossed the line a few seats in front.

Event: Peterborough Sprint Regatta 2003 - Senior3 VIII
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Henry was too ill to row. We were not allowed a non-Trinity sub, or to row with 7 oarsmen (with a burger in Henry's place!), so we were left with no choice.

Event: Peterborough Sprint Regatta 2003 - Senior2 VIII
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We found we had only 7 oarsmen present as we boated - Henry was nowhere to be seen. Just as we were about to push off (with Joe moved to 7 and the 3 seat empty), Henry was seen running towards us. He had fallen asleep and did not look in great shape. The standard of the row down to the start was low - we were pushed for time and tense due to the boating drama. We had to spin straight on to our stakeboat with only 500m warm up.

The start was better than the one from our S3 heat, and built up to an encouragingly strong peak. We again failed to capitalise on this, and the rowing deteriorated somewhat allowing both opposing crews to move ahead. Downing won with a time of 1:25.

Event: May Bumps 2003 - Thursday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Rowing pretty much the same as yesterday, but without any real drama; paddle down good, not a bad start (apart from an air-stroke from Ed) and then slowly moving away from Clare (who were just short of 3 lengths down when bumped by Queens') with Catz moving away slightly (who hit Jesus). We again wound it down in the reach, but apart from watching Churchill on a mission to nothing behind us, little else interesting happened.

Event: May Bumps 2003 - Friday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Another good paddle down, with very comfortable bursts at 37, and a lift to a smooth 39 in one. The practice start wasn't our best, but was by no means terrible. The real start was very strong, and we moved about 1/3 length in the right direction on the crews in front (Jesus) and behind (Queens'). Coming out of First Post corner, it got very rocky, causing the boat to crash over to stroke side for one or two strokes. We recovered quickly, and within a few strokes we had our single hooter for 1/2 length. As planned, initially we didn't change much, but a few strokes later Steph called "Go Now", and we went. We hit them on the entrance to Grassy. With Queens' only a couple of lengths behind we had to move quickly to the outside of the corner, removing the bowball of our boat on the bank in the process. Oops - sorry Iain.

Event: Kingston Amateur Regatta 2003 - Senior3 IV+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

The start saw us lose about 1/2 length to Granta, but we dropped Thames pretty quickly. The race was fairly uncomfortable - we were rowing at what I would call a sluggish 38. We drew back level with Granta with about 300m to go, but then hit some nasty wash from a cruiser and completely fell apart from there to the finish.

Event: Bedford Quarts Regatta 2003 - Senior3 IV+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We stayed in contact for the first 400m where we were maybe 1/2l down, but then died towards the end. It felt very heavy, and we didn't move very well. Lost to Hogley again...

Event: RTT Regatta 2004 - Open 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Rosie had a bad start which saw me take about a length. Despite some dubious sculling (at least in part caused by the exotic but generally unpopular practice of negative bow side pitch), I absorbed his push and then moved to about 2/3 length ahead. At this point Rosie had moved significantly into my lane, but I was warned. I shouted in protest, at which point the large-buttocked one stopped sculling thinking he was about to crash. Soon after, I realised that I was going to win, which would have meant swapping the blades. As the race slowed to a snail's pace, the Pembroke-enchanted idiot sculled past me and, after a 6-stroke dash for the line, beat me by a Boatrace worthy 8 inches.

Event: May Bumps 2004 - Saturday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We* had been cruising along nicely; we* knew we would catch Maggie somewhere in the reach, and we* planned on doing another killer push as we had done on Queens' yesterday. This was all fine except that Maggie bumped Robinson at the White House just as we got overlap.

Unfortunately we* weren't aware of the proximity of Maggie's bow to 'Binson's stern, and would have started our push 10 strokes earlier if we had - which I'm pretty confident would have nailed Maggie before they hit Binson. Never mind, at least we* went up one for the week.

* or was that just me?

Event: Cambridge Autumn Regatta 2004 - Senior1 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

They had a pretty good start, but after the first 15 strokes we moved away ever more rapidly as they appeared to get slower and slower.

Event: Cambridge Autumn Regatta 2004 - Elite 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We had a pretty scrappy race, but used the bend to our advantage and by half way had moved through (there's a stagger of about a canvas at the start) to be a canvas up, which we held until the finish.

This was our first close race of the summer; we had been hoping to race the Cantabs pair of Ian Craig and James Price, but unfortunately they didn't enter.

Event: Cambridge Autumn Regatta 2004 - Senior1 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Having been pushed pretty hard in the Elite final we knew we had to pull out a good race. We moved out to about half a length clear by 400m at which point they had a boat stopping incident. We were a little disappointed not to have to race to the line but were pleased to have been given some closer racing.

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2004 - Senior 2 4+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

You've obviously forgotten that adding the other rounds will increase the "number of races" stat in our profiles.

Oops ;-)

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2004 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

These guys had beaten Christian and Dan earlier, so we knew that power over technique wasn't going to work. Fortunately for us the very idea of technical rowing was born at BPBC, so we floated effortlessly over the water to another comfortable victory.

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2004 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We had decided that Imperial would be tough opponents to beat; we responded by practicing our firm pressure in the warm up area. Unfortunately I accidentally snapped the handle off my blade in a particularly well connected start. We managed to not fall in, so we retrieved the spare blade and waited for the start.

It quickly became apparent that Imperial weren't going anywhere quickly - we took a length every 100m for the first half of the course, at which point they stopped rowing. Where's a well meaning chap to get any decent racing these days?

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2004 - Senior2 4+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

If you can't join 'em, beat 'em ;-)

This race was a bit messy, with Christian almost catching a crab at one point, just for fun. Cantabs had held us off the start, but we got some long strokes in coming up to a minute which moved us ahead. We didn't have the time(ing) or inclination to move ahead any more, so we didn't.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2004 - Senior2 4+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Tough conditions made this race messy, although we soon had clear water and our half-blue cox was able to clip buoys without any fear of losing.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2004 - Senior3 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Compared to my earlier race, conditions had improved although they were still pretty awful. I decided to try to scull with a little elegance, but after my first five strokes found myself 1/4 length down. So I abandoned any form of finesse in favour of massive length and power. 20 strokes later I was 4 lengths ahead, at which point he gave up and I paddled through the line for another pot.

Event: Bristol Avon Regatta 2004 - Senior3 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Strong headwind conditions on the waters of Bristol Historic Docks meant that not falling in was my top priority. This worked well - as I sculled away from my opposition he decided to take an early bath. Next...

Event: May Bumps 2004 - Friday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

This was probably my most enjoyable and certainly most memorable race for First and Third. The boat felt good on the way to the start, displaying plenty of confidence which was pleasing as they'd been bumped the previous day.

It was obvious that bow six were going to lay down plenty of power, so I told Chris that stern pair were going to work at 90% and concentrate on setting a good rhythm until we needed a boost. This point came on the exit of Ditton, and the extra power from the stern combined with the response from the rest of the crew resulted in by far the most effective push I've ever experienced, taking us from half a length down to alongside the (admittedly ailing) Queens' in about 15 strokes. An awesome bump - thanks guys!

Event: RTT Regatta 2004 - Open 1x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

As there was no start umpire we made a gentlemen's agreement to paddle up the course until we found one. The salad eating gayboy appeared after about 300m, so we decided to start. After 3 strokes I had taken a length and so I took it down to light. There was some confusion as to the location of the finish line, which ended with both scullers drifting the last 20m of the course, during which my opposition pulled back a length.

Event: Gloucester Regatta 2004 - Senior2 2-
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

I'd left Cambridge at midnight, and arrived at 5.00a.m. - the only thing I remember is cruising in the mid-twenties a long way ahead of our oppo. Tom's "loosening burst" towards the end of the course was countered five strokes later by an "I can't be arsed" from the stroke seat.

Event: University IVs 2003 - 2nd division
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Excellent result here - 28 seconds faster than the 1st four's best time and only 2 seconds off Trinity Hall, who won Division 1!

Dan: maybe time for a change in crew selection policy?

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

Emma took the race to us from the start and got four or five seats up the reach. At the Pink House we got some momentum going and got a couple back, at which point I thought we were going to win. However, despite the fact that we were going well we tensed up which caused us to lose that speed and they moved back to five or six seats up. We relaxed again and started moving. The same thing happened again - as we started moving we tensed up and changed how we were rowing, and it got pretty scrappy from that point. I don't think Emma quite had clear water by the finish. However, this was a useful learning day of close racing - there's still loads more to come out of the crew and they'd probably go a lot faster without a couple of fat passengers weighing down the bows who have hardly rowed for the last three months...

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

Actually Matt we shared the honours - I distinctly remember (although admittedly it is the last thing I remember) forcing down a third tequila on that evil station.

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

We took the second row and added some controlled agression. Unfortunately Ed and Chris are significantly stronger than Matt and I and pulled us round about 10 degrees at the start. We crashed into Maggie (sorry guys), rather rudely causing a minor injury in the process.

However, this was our best race - we took control from the restart and laid down some good strokes which saw us take 3/4 length up the reach. They pulled back to 1/2 length on their corner, but we pushed them back up to Morley's Holt. They may have come back a bit at the end; the crew will need to make sure they have learned to finish things off in 10 days time.

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

After the turd which was the first race we aimed for a long, loose row. We moved maybe a couple of seats on Wolfson and then sat there, feeling quite comfortable. Personally I really enjoy being in control in a race like this - knowing that the oppo are on 110%, you just have to choose the opportune moment to make that killer push. We waited until just after the Railway Bridge, at which point they cut into us and we pushed out to about 3/4 length. It got a bit scrappier after that, but at least we made a good attempt at rowing properly for most of this race.

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

This row was just a massive pile of steaming shite. It went wrong from the end of the first stroke which nobody finished off properly (although we were a third length up due to a complete shocker from Selwyn). We then slammed into the front-stops, hanging for about 4 minutes and then rowing the blades in. This continued to Morley's Holt, during which time we would take a couple of seats from Selwyn and then they would take a couple back. At Morleys Holt we relaxed (probably realising that we were going to win) and had about 10 good strokes which saw us take the extra quarter length.

Event: Head of the River IVs 2004 - Senior3 IV+
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

It looked pretty good shooting Hammersmith bridge. Fastest Cambridge college crew is a good result, although we will need to work hard through the second half of term if we are to get good results later in the year; Clare were only a second behind us in the Head, who were beaten by Downing by three seconds in Uni fours who were then beaten by Jesus by 15 seconds in the final.

Event: FaT vs. BPBC Golf Challenge (Womens' and Adaptive) 2007 -
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

As Lilie and I are both suffering injuries to the left shoulder, we played a one-handed round of golf in the inaugural adaptive form of this competition. We both played well off the tee, but I found an advantage in the short game. The surprisingly reasonable standard of my golf today may hint that my left arm contributes negatively to my two-handed game.

Event: Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, Glen Lochay 2007 - C Course (45km, 2350m climbed over 2 days)
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Saturday

We set out hard (too hard, and also neglected to eat food) and overtook lots of teams in the first two hours. After the first control we ascended 100m to take a "short-cut", only to be cut off by crags so we had to descend again.

After the third control we had a 400m pull up to the flatter moorland in the north area on the map, but John especially was running low on energy; one Mars Bar later and normal service was resumed.

Our route to control five was probably not ideal, although we were pretty close to the fastest split. We wasted a few minutes finding controls five and six, but overall a pretty solid day - second place, four minutes behind the leaders and ten seconds in front of third.

Sunday

A chasing start, so the leaders (C1) were out of sight when we (C2) started but third place (C3) right on our heals. They took a poor route up to the Loch Lyon dam but ours was worse, and they stole a couple of minutes before shooting off into the distance after the leaders.

We were happy with our pace to the second control (a marathon not a sprint) although we found the description "Knoll" quite unhelpful for locating the control as there were about 50 knolls there. We split up, and after about ten minutes John located the control. I made a beeline for the control, and encountered a 5m wide muddy bog. I'd successfully crossed several already, sinking at most 30 centimetres, so I yelled "I'm going in" before leaping off the grassy edge both feet first into the middle. Needless to say, I sunk up to my waist in thick, black, stagnant mud. My legs wouldn't move, but at least I wasn't sinking any more. A few seconds later, C4, C5 and C6 passed through the control, telling John that he would have to get me out. I had unintentionally landed near a solitary tussock of grass, so was fortunately able to extract myself and leap back to the bank just before the tussock sank.

We ascended to the ridge in a column with the three teams that passed us at control two, and as I recovered my energy we were able to push to the front and force the pace a little. We stole some ground on the descent to the next shoulder, before relaxing on the climb to control three, allowing the others to catch us up.

Feeling fresh, we felt good on the next traverse while the others were starting to look tired, so we put in a big spurt on the climb to control four and located the control before the others could see where we'd gone, which gave us a two minute gap.

We saw a photographer, who told us that C1 and C3 had gone through but had missed a control - we were in the lead! The traverse to control five seemed to take an age but we maintained our gap then again navigated well, stealing another minute or two, before almost going the wrong way down the hill to the last control.

With nobody visible behind us, we jogged steadily along the track to the finish. Back at the event centre, the officials confirmed that we had won, and checked that we had all the right equipment. We could finally relax, eat, wash and watch the other teams finish. Hugely enjoyable - would recommend it to anybody who likes walking, running and mountains.

Event: Champion of the Thames Eights Head 2008 - Men's 1st Div. Mays
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Pants. We regained the course record for 71 seconds. Kudos to Downing and Ian Watson for raising the game.

Apparently the wasters on the forums reckon I'm an "awesome townie" (they obviously weren't watching) and a "pikey". How flattering :-)

Event: FaT vs. BPBC Golf Challenge 2008 -
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

My initial unfounded confidence was soon undone by a low, and declining, level of skill.

Maybe I'd have done better playing one handed...?

Event: Henley Royal Regatta 2008 - Prince Albert Cup
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Moved really well in the first half of the race, fast and smooth, and closed in a little on Edinburgh. The wind which picked up at Fawley disrupted the timing in the second half, but overall we were pretty pleased with the row and qualified comfortably.

Event: Henley Royal Regatta 2008 - Prince Albert Cup
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Glasgow were a selected crew, but their pre-Henley form was varied so we thought we might have a chance if we put in our best performance. The boys red-lined it down the course but Glasgow were pretty slick and more powerful and drew out to a length and a half. They didn't drop below 32 but looked to have a length or two in reserve.

Glasgow beat Edinburgh easily in the next round, then went out to event winners Newcastle by 3 1/4 lengths on Saturday.

Event: Boston Marathon 2008 - MxE4x
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

The forecast had been for a reasonable cross-headwind, so our spirits were high when the wind was light on the day. We were using the Rob Roy Empacher quad, which is an old but fairly stiff boat. The missing rudder was a cause for concern, but the boat corners reasonably well, and Emily's superb steering calls meant that we took the racing line whenever possible and we never had to stop. We'd probably have caught a lot more weed with the rudder as well.

The scull to the lock was uneventful, setting solid splits. The portage at the lock was reasonably quick, and we set off strongly, spurred on by the men's quads which had closed up in the first 13km. The rate held up pretty well around 24-5, and strategy of breaks every half hour seemed to be working well as the men's quads (which were making fewer stops) dropped back.

At the half way point we were on for 3:30. Unfortunately we had a few minor incidents in the second half - weed on the rudder (twice) and crabs (three) - although these probably only cost us a minute between them. Tom was unable to eat during the last couple of stops, and with 10km to go was starting to run out of fuel. We pressed on anyway, a little slower than before, but still certain of taking the record. Eventually we reached the last straight, then the last kilometre and then the finish, in 3 hours 33 minutes, beating all course records for mixed quads.

Tom was in a pretty bad way, so we took him to the St. John ambulance paramedics, who described him as "presenting very limply"!?! Jelly Babies were the miracle cure, and 15 minutes later he was doing much better.

We raced as Rob Roy/Imperial College/Wallingford, so unfortunately Black Prince don't get credited with the record.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2008 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We could have gone 23 seconds slower.

Event: Peck's Poker Party 2009 - Texas hold'em
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

I found my starting table played conservatively and a little unpredictably which, combined with below average cards and very below average play for the first hour or so, left me briefly well down on chips. However, some good play and good luck put me back on track and by the time we were down to the last eight, I was in the middle of the pack.

At the final table I started with a poor set of cards, so sat out most hands as Neil and Simon accounted for everyone else. This left me dangerously short-stacked, but I then had two reasonable hands which allowed me to get roughly back on terms.

A third above average hand prompted me to go all-in pre-flop, which Neil called for a showdown. I was marginal favourite at that stage, but Neil hit a pair to knock me out for third place.

Many thanks to Dubya and Martin for organising a great day out, hopefully we can make it a regular occurrence (I mean karting and poker, not Martin getting married...)

Event: BPBC Karting 2009 - Twin-engined Honda pro-karts
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

A good start from eighth saw me about five seconds clear by the end of the third lap. Then disaster - my glasses steamed up (this was the first time I've raced with them) and I could barely see.

I backed off in order to stay on the track and negotiated the back markers with care, but had misjudged how slowly I could go as Martin overtook me on the penultimate lap. Fortunately I was able to repass out of the same corner, but then another misjudgement overtaking a back marker at the end of the last lap allowed Martin to retake the lead.

Event: BPBC Karting 2009 - Twin-engined Honda pro-karts
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Racing without glasses this time, I had a steady first two laps but then got into the groove on the third. Then disaster - black flag! Keith (2nd), Ingram (5th) and I (3rd) all went into the pits, to be told that we hadn't stopped racing under a yellow flag. This took ages, and we lost about 80 seconds.

Apparently Martin (1st) stopped on the next lap, but lost significantly less time and was about 30 seconds ahead, whilst Glass (4th) was pulled in later and was well back.

Having dealt with Keith and Chris (who for some reason was told to overtake us whilst stopped), I got in some quick laps but had no idea how I was doing.

It was disappointing to miss out on what would have surely been a great race with Martin at the front, but otherwise it was nice to be back in a reasonable kart on a good track, and at least I was able to get the fastest lap :-)

Event: Lent Bumps 2010 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Amazing, well done! Wish I'd been there to see it.

Event: May Bumps 2010 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Smoothly done - more of the same please.

Event: May Bumps 2010 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Well done! We all love a FaT/Maggie battle, raise your game again for tomorrow.

Event: Lent Bumps 2010 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Hmm - I honestly thought it would be a lot closer than that. Good work. Be careful though, it could be a trap...

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2010 - 1st division
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Destroyed. We were tired, but to be honest our best rowing would have made up at most 20% of the deficit.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2010 - 1st division
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Another good row, this time with Helena (from the defeated Pembroke Alumni crew) coxing. Clare pushed effectively off the bridge.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2010 - 1st division
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Much better. Jesus visibly slowed after the Railway Bridge.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2010 - 1st division
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We'd had a surprisingly pleasant practice start on the row down, but failed to replicate this in the race. We slowly ground out a lead but we'd need to do better next time.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2009 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

I dispute that, but very well done anyway :-)

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2009 - Invitation IV's
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

In canonical style our first stroke as a four was the first draw stroke. It was during this stroke that it became obvious that the rig was a bit high. Over the next five strokes it became obvious that this was an understatement.

After about a minute we'd just about adapted, and Steve led a solid rhythm over the rest of the course.

As in the eight, we were close but didn't win. The Cantabs crew that won was a selection from their first eight which dominated the Winter Head, so we shouldn't be disappointed to be so close behind them. By all accounts the CULRC alumni crew looked pretty rapid as well.

Thanks to Jesus for the boat and Sonya for coxing.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2009 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

We didn't win, for only the second time, but it was our best performance for a while (ignoring the first two minutes).

It's good to have some competition in Invitational, although somewhat strange that it came from an Oxford college - I suspect that Cantabs would have been well clear had they raced. We should probably do a bit more training for next year.

Thanks to Iain and FaT for the use of the Empacher (and Pedro and Bryn), Rebecca for coxing us and Jon for organising everything.

Anyone keen for the HoRR?

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2010 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

A great row, spoilt by the multiple time penalties we received for various infringements.

I was given a 15 second penalty for doing an outrageous seven training outings.

Darley was awarded a whole minute for bringing the cold weather back from the North Pole.

Similarly, Holland was awarded a 15 second penalty for not bringing the antipodean weather back with him.

Mr. Glass had a big argument with the start marshal, losing us a further 10 seconds.

Lizzie steered us past Champs W3 before Chesterton, despite the five minute gap, causing another 10 seconds to be added on.

Steve was accused of rating too high, which we dispute - 44 is perfectly acceptable for a 4.3km race - but yet another five seconds were added on.

Neil - nobody understands why he did a 2k test for fun last weekend. Ten seconds.

Will - a five second penalty for wearing a Vesta all-in-one.

We had already accepted a 1 second penalty for Ingram being late to the start.

So we actually rowed the course in 12:13, and we didn't even require the services of the wormhole generator.

Event: Lent Bumps 2011 - Wednesday
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

YES, COME ON!!! Awesome result.

Event: Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon 2011 - 'A' class
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

JPD's legs don't work any more.

It appears that Neil has developed the ability to fly without the use of an aircraft.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2011 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

This was, by a distance, the messiest Fairbairn eight I've rowed in since my novice eight. There was plenty of power going down, but a complete lack of cohesion meant that this didn't translate into boat speed. 2/10.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2012 - Invitation VIIIs
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Despite a deluge of late substitutions, this crew stepped up to the plate and delivered a stereotypical Black Prince row - really quite good out of the blocks, but with the length, power, rate and consequently speed steadily deteriorating over the course. However, the crew bought into the rhythm set by Neil which held us together to the end.

The result is hard to interpret, due to the dramatic difference in stream between the first and second divisions. Jon's claim that he bribed the lock-keepers to open the sluices for our race appeared to work against us - perhaps Boar's Head made a better offer? However despite them having the advantage of rowing in the first division we still thrashed the hapless hogs by 16 seconds.

Had we raced in equal conditions I have no doubt that Cantabs would still have soundly beaten us. As it stands, history will record that we landed the dubious honour of being the first Black Prince first eight to be beaten by the college seconds.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2012 - Invitation IV's
Posted as: JPD
Event Link

Hideous.