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All race reports for Andrew Sugden

Event: Robinson Head 2006 - Lower VIIIs
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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A decent row! Got off to a good start then settled into a nice race rate of about 32. Good coxing round the corners and some hard pushes kept the boat speed high and the coaching is really showing - connection felt much better on the catch. We also beat three of the five crews ahead of us in the bumps (with one no show on Christ's part and a slender 2 second gap behind top third boat LMBC III). It's all starting to come together nicely and maybe if we race with a boat which isn't full of water in the "waterproof hull" we can cut those last 2 seconds off LMBC III (and the 4 behind the gents boat...).

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Kings II were a bit of an unknown. They were on for spoons and our grads had caught them in 30 strokes, but they'd held off a very quick Wolfson II crew the day before. To catch them, we really had to empty the tanks (excuse the cliche!).

We set off fairly strongly, holding them to station coming round first post corner. A well timed crab round Grassy let us move up half a length on them as we weaved through the glut of crews who'd bumped in front of us.

As we turned on to Plough Reach, we came into view of the small army of FaT supporters lining either side of this part of the river. It's amazing how much strong support can lift you when you're hurting and tired. This pushed us up to within a cover of Kings II by the time we reached Ditton, the three whistles hinting that this could almost be over.

Another good line round Ditton left us with overlap on Kings II. On the towpath, their was heated discussion of whether we had grazed their stern with our bow on the corner, but none of us in the crew were aware of this.

By this point, Kings II had firmly ensconced themselves on the meadow side of the reach whilst we had exited the corner tight to the towpath. Rich gently guided us towards them for the bump. Kings had nowhere to go, but the crew was nearly ready to crack. A couple of killer bumps pushes still didn't give us contact, but eventually, after what seemed like forever, we reached their side of the river. With Rich screaming that two's blade was inches away, it was now or never. The final killer bumps push took us that last inch, with Kings II still refusing to concede (although who could blame them when they'd held out so far trying to avoid spoons), but the marshall eventually gave us the bump half way up the reach.

Shattered but happy, we pulled into the bank for our greenery, having earnt our position in division 4 the hard way! A fantastic end to a tough week for our crew. It's been a pleasure rowing with them! Thanks to Erica for her coaching (and subbing!) for our crew throughout the term and to Adam for not lashing out at a stroke who was a 'bit' of a slide rusher and never moved forward when we were spinning.

Rah Rah First and Third!

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Andy S.
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At the start of the week, I'd said to Adam, "We've got to get out of this division. We're better than it." It was a sentiment the whole crew felt. Besides, it would be a bit harsh on next year's FaT V to leave them needing to row over head on their first day of bumps! We knew we were a length and a half faster over the course than Christs III plus we had clear water. We just couldn't afford any cock-ups.

We started off fairly well, although Christs III moved up on us slightly. A small crab on their part let them slip off us slightly towards Christs IV, keen to show up their team mates. From this point on, Christs III never got past station against us. Some strong rowing and tight lines with a few pushes chucked in stretch our lead to over 2 lengths. We took it all the way to top finish, happy with the result, but knowing we needed that one last bump to finish off our bumps journey perfectly.

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Friday
Posted as: Andy S.
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It's fair to say we were all fairly shattered from our efforts against Christs. We went for a little stroll up the river to watch W3 come through and stretch our legs whilst removing half of the race sponsor's supply of bottled water in their stall. Then came a marshall on a bike shepherding us back to our boat and telling us we'd missed our division slot. Jumping back into the boat, we sneaked into the queue in a familiar spot - behind Corpus II who'd double overbumped on Wednesday.

We knew the row would be hard work. Kings II looked odds on for spoons and the Wolfson II boat we were chasing looked ominously strong. Given the reputation of the bottom of division 4 over the last two days, there was the odd muttering of a double overbump on Churchill but it would be a huge ask. Then again, we did have the fact that rowing over meant having to row over as head of division 5, a slightly daunting prospect and not something we wanted to do before trying to secure a place in division 4 again!

Wolfson II did shoot out the blocks very quickly, pushing away from our fairly tired crew and bumping Kings II in the gut. The crews in front bumped out as well, leaving us with the double overbump as the only option to stay in division 4. Over the course, we did make considerable water on them, but it was never really on. After the high of bumping Christs III, this was a frustrating end to our days racing.

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Friday
Posted as: Andy S.
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We knew Christs III were going to be no pushovers. They'd been double overbumped by the Corpus II crew we were chasing on the first day after suffering technical difficulties, so we knew we could catch them, but they were a fairly large bunch of guys and we expected them to perhaps pull away a bit at the start. The practise start went well and we were feeling quietly confident.

The start didn't go quite according to plan after our reliable stroke again managed to pull an air stroke in the draw for the second time (although to his credit, this was the second draw stroke, not the first, and even though he lost his seat whilst doing this, he got himself back together for the third draw stroke!) but the wind somehow worked nicely and luckily Christs III had a pretty bad start as well.

The boats behind us quickly dropped off, leaving the pair to slug it out down the course. We heard first whistles coming round Grassy I think, then pushed hard up Plough Reach. Some excellent cornering by Rich meant each corner took a fair chunk off their lead. By the time we came out of Ditton, we'd reached three whistles and felt we could catch them, but it's fair to say we weren't perhaps the fittest crew on the river and our longest practise bumps pieces had been to Ditton corner.

What followed was a classic push counter-push the entire way up the Reach. We rowed them down to about a foot but a double semi crab took the speed out of the boat and they started to pull away, but we built it up again. We didn't quite have a killer push inside us, much to the agony of ourselves and the bank party, but neither did Christs. Thankfully, we kept it together to the railway bridge, forcing them wide to avoid being clipped round the corner. From that point on, there was only one way this was going to end, and we bumped about 15 strokes after the bridge.

Although I ached a fair bit, this bump felt fantastic. To make a bump so far down the course for the first time was something special and I felt we'd really earnt that one and a half lengths and position as head of division 5. Little did I know we'd make a habit of these long, hard rows...

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Thursday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Our first real chance to make a move up our division. Robinson III didn't put up much of a fight and we simply rowed up and into them without too much difficulty! Still, it felt good to bump, especially for those of us who hadn't ever bumped before (and subsequently now had a level bumps average!).

Event: May Bumps 2006 - Wednesday
Posted as: Andy S.
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It was not the ideal position to start from in retrospect behind a pretty strong Corpus II crew which later went on to win blades and go up eight who were sitting behind a very wobbly Robinson III. We set out to go for Corpus quickly, but had no chance in catching them as 'binson quickly cracked and were bumped. At that point, everything behind us for about half a mile had disappeared to, so we were left to row over in what should have been a leisurely affair had we not stopped at the P&E thinking it was the finish after some wayward instructions from a marshal and being informed via loudhailer that we could still 'technically' be bumped there. Red faced, we wound up for the last 20 strokes as we provided a healthy dose of comedy for the Women's division who we're mashalling at the time and all burst out laughing! Still, at least we finished a row over with good natured humour, despite the frustrating position!

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Saturday
Posted as: Andy S.
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A controlled race with a stride! We moved up on them fairly quickly, securing overlap by the motorway bridge and bumping shortly after (about where we bumped Downing III). Blades!

The row of honour back with the flag was something pretty special (until we swapped positions outside the Cantab house and half of the men's division 2 wondered how on earth this crew had got blades). What a fantastic first Lent Bumps. Having got a taste, I'm without doubt back for the Mays.

Thanks for everyone who's helped the crew, from bank partys and Iain to coaches and LBCs who made this possible. It's been a true pleasure to work with the crew.

P.S. Good on Rich for letting us throw him in the Cam at the end (video to come...).

P.P.S. How much is a blade?

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Wednesday
Posted as: Andy S.
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What more can we say? Bumped in under 30 strokes! An awful start by Queens meant we again caught up to a length very quickly. A faulty cox box struck again in the bows but we felt the push from stern four and joined in and before we knew it we'd rammed into 'em good 'n' proper! It would have been a bit more of a bump instead of a ram if the Queens cox had conceeded when Sam hit their boat five times, but no matter. Half way to the fabled blades then. Peterhouse II lie in our way next...

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Tuesday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Down Down(ing), deeper and down!

A good start with Queen's III in our sights for tomorrow with a weeker Peterhouse II in front of QIII, leaving an interesting day's racing tomorrow!

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2006 - Lower division
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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What can I say, a good row but unfortunately Jesus III were a class above over the short distance. For the first time we were on the towpath station, much to our dismay at losing our lucky path! A strong start by Jesus saw them take half a length on us which they extended round the bend on the outside from which point they never looked back. To our credit, we didn't let our heads drop and put in a gutsy performance, using the same pushes and trying to keep the boat together, but unfortnately it wasn't enough. Maybe not the best way to end the day, but it was our first final and we held our own in two close races, perhaps suggesting we've got the mental toughness to go that extra yard for those elusive bumps in just over a week's time!

However, comedy moment of the day must be the banter between Lorry and the Jesus cox when we were lining up:
Lorry: "Hope you don't catch crabs!"
Jesus cox: "You'll be seeing our arses all the way through the race!"
Lorry: "So you're going to be behind us...."

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2006 - Lower division
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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A completely bizarre row. When we arrived to marshal we were told that, as the cox of the 99s had cut his face on barbed wire so they couldn't row in the semis. Then we were told we had to row the course even though we had no competition, so grudgingly we set off down the reach to do our pre-final "lap of honour". However, when we span past Ditton corner, we were promptly told we would be racing against a crew, this crew being Eddie's (who FaT 5 were very unfortnate not to have beaten earlier in the day by all accounts). We drew up to the start and looked up to see a horse bolting down the towpath and causing all sorts of mayhem to bank parties and spectators (one person had to be treated by the on site medical staff). With the horse well down the reach, the race began. We started off very strongly and it was quickly apparent that Eddie's weren't going to offer too much resistance - we had taken two lengths on them on the outside of the reach when we were suddenly told to hold it up. Not having a clue what was going on, we paddled to the end of the course and were told, not only the horse, but two barges had held up race proceedings and several races were to be re-rowed, including ours despite the distance we had opened up on Eddie's. The second row was much like the first with a strong start taking a length on them on the outside with a controlled row down the reach and another push under the railway bridge to take us comfortably into the final...

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2006 - Lower division
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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Another close run affair! A strong start from the Selwyn crew gave them half a length advantage when lengthened to a length by the railway bridge, but a bit of a crafty line by Richard saw us clashing blades with the Selwyn crew before again a huge push off the railway bridge propelled us towards them and we even survived a half crab to stretch the lead to half a length by the end of the race.

Event: Pembroke Regatta 2006 - Lower division
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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A real nip and tuck race! A strong start put us up half a length on the common side before Caius came back due to the bend on the reach and ended up half a length up on us. We blitzed round underneath the railway bridge and a strong burst brought us back to half a length in front. Caius pushed hard on the inside of the corner and were catching on us towards the finish but we were too stong and held them off.

Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2005 - Cup
Posted as: A.J. Sugden
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Fitzwilliam A has the slightly better start, taking two seats on us, but we pulled back well to end up about half a length in front halfway down the reach. Fitz then caught up a little on the inside of us and then took us on the outside of the corner underneath the railway bridge. Sadly we panicked again towards the finish and it cost us dearly - our heads dropped and the rhythm of the boat was serverely disrupted. Our composure towards the end of races is certainly something to work on over the next week before Fairbairns. However, there were several positives to take from the race. For the most part we were technically superior to the strong Fitz A crew and if we hadn't panicked I'm pretty sure we'd have won, but again the loss of intensity cost us. Not the best of days for First and Third generally, but Fitz A start right behind us in Fairbairns, so we have a chance to reclaim our glory in the important race!

Event: Lent Bumps 2006 - Friday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Not the sexiest of our rows as our bank party would say, but it got the job done! A bit of an untidy start meant we slipped down about half a length on Peterhouse II and the Queens boat that we bumped yesterday closed the gap, but we stuck to our game plan, wound up to about 38 then actually had a stride (although it was only to 36...). With the high rate, we were a bit scrappy, but we started closing the gap on Peterhouse and got to a length just past the motorway bridge. We heard Fitz bump the spooning St Catz boat (we hope!) and ploughed through the middle with about quarter of a length between us when we reached the start of first post corner where we thoroughly smashed into them, making a bit of a mess of our bow section. Strangely tired (we haven't had to take a stroke side corner in bumps before!) and having rowed pretty spackily, I was still fairly ecstatic. Just one more bump...

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Saturday
Posted as: Andy S.
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My final bumps race ever. *sniff* Being right next to the cannons wasn't the best place to start - we set off deafened by the reverberations. The stride didn't really happen and the killer bumps push was a bit limp, but we got them pretty quickly and a bump is a bump!

All the best to crews next year - I'll be back to watch!

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Friday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Quick and easy. Same again tomorrow please!

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Thursday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Unfortunate result. A crab off the start let Christs IV up on us and from there they never let up. Let's draw a line under it and get them back tomorrow.

Event: May Bumps 2007 - Wednesday
Posted as: Andy S.
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Good start to bumps. Christs maybe gained half a length initially but fell off round grassy and we took Tit Hall II out of Ditton with a neat bow to stern bump from Emma, although hopefully we can make shorter work of it against Girton II tomorrow.

*Edit* And I'll be keeping my eyes firmly in the back of Matt's head today after seeing those photos.

Event: Lent Bumps Getting-on Race 2007 -
Posted as: Andy S.
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Good work today guys. A very strong start and a committed row in difficult conditions. Bring on bumps!

Event: Novice Fairbairn Cup 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Andy S.
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Great race guys. You really pulled it together today. Fantastic line round Chesterton and some real grunt at the finish! A focused row too - whenever it slipped out of time you brought it back together. A good culmination of all the work you've put in this term!

Event: Emma Sprints 2006 -
Posted as: Andy S.
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A difficult draw against a strong Emma II boat (albeit all dressed as Brokeback Mountain lookalikes) left us trailing, but we kept our heads and rowed a firm race on the way back without any hiccups in starting!

Event: Emma Sprints 2006 -
Posted as: Andy S.
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A little bit of inexperience (and hurried marhsalling!) left us still straightening up when go was called, meaning some of us didn't start to row and sending us into the bank - disaster start!

However, the guys got back straight again and really pushed back on Clare before succumbing to some untidy rowing towards the finish.

Nevertheless, an enthusiastic first race.

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2006 - 2nd division
Posted as: Andy S.
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A difficult draw saw our third boat against some strong B boats from some of the smaller colleges. Fantastic enthusiasm was shown from all of our rowers though and we'll build from this on the water! An enjoyable first event for the team.

Event: Queens' Novice Ergo Competition 2006 - 1st division
Posted as: Andy S.
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A solid row which unfortunately didn't quite push us into the final. The highlight was a fantastic 1.27 pulled by Jan on the final leg to pull us right back into contention for the final. Don't fear though guys, as this is a solid platform from which to build on. Ergs don't float...