Race Reports by User

Find Rower Enter/edit crews

All race reports for Florian Gruessing

Event: University IVs 2005 - 1st division
Posted as: Floto
Event Link

The race result was a little disappointing, but also unfortunate in terms of the close defeat. I do not think, though, that we lost the race in the re-row, we actually lost it in the first regular race where we should have beaten Jesus.
The start was feeling very good, the rate was coming up and the hands were going out quickly. It is hard to estimate, but I would definitely say that we took some time out of Jesus. After 20 or 30 burst strokes we settled down and tried to find our own rhythm. Around Ditton it was feeling a little heavy, not as fluid as before.
Coming onto the reach we did our second start and went off really well despite the headwind which was kicking in. I cannot say much about the last part of the race on the reach.
From my point of view we have to really work more on our catches (felt a little indecisive from time to time).
Every now and then there have been strokes where the whole pace of the boat completely died because we tripped over to one side after heaving squared up our blades again. We maybe need to keep our bodies even calmer.

Event: Head of the River IVs 2008 - S2 4+
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Conditions were good on the first half of the course, then into headwind and lumpy water round Hammersmith. Overall result satisfying although nothing extraordinary. We need to up the pace for the rest of the term if we want to win Fairbairn's, Downing's 1st IV for example beat us by 12s.

Event: Fairbairn Cup - IVs 2008 - College IVs
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Gutsy row some two hours after the eights race. We had an 'interesting' start with tremendous balance issues, consequently nearly crashing into the Jesus four that was parked outside their boathouse. Managed to get our act together though and put in a very good performance. Especially given we only had one outing in this crew.

Event: Fairbairn Cup 2008 - Senior VIIIs
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Very enjoyable row, very good performance. The aims of this term were to put down the solid ground work to build on in Lents and Mays. We focussed on developing long, powerful strokes after lots of bungee work. Just wait and see how fast we go once we start doing some speedwork...

Great thanks to Tom Rose and JPD who have done an awesome job coaching the men this term!

Event: Head of the Trent 2009 - S3 8+
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Solid performance. We hadn't rowed for a week due to the Cam being flooded, yet found into a good rhythm in the warm-up. Settled onto a comfortable 34 during the race, awesome rhythm from the stern pair two stroke engine Fletch and Phil.
We are still a way off the pace looking at our aims for HoRR, and we will need to find more speed, consistency and rhythm if we really want to do well this year.
Pleasing result overall, although it is important to keep the perspective. Agecroft dicked all over us by being 40s faster over the course. CUBC in turn would have dicked on Agecroft.

Event: Lent Bumps 2009 - Wednesday
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Mediocre row. Frantic start, suboptimal settle coming round Grassy. Really found it on Plough Reach, chunky rhythm, big boys' rowing. Fell apart a little on the reach as we got hit by the headwind, rate was forced to stay high. Need to relax a little more tomorrow.
I'm keen for the coming days!

Event: Lent Bumps 2009 - Thursday
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

Much better row than yesterday. Less tense, more confident, more trusting in each other and ourselves. This is what First and Third rowing is about. Cleaner, sharper start, nice settle, good dealing with the headwind on the reach.
There is still lots of room for improvement, but seeing that we have not prepared for these races we can be reasonably happy with today's performances.
To be repeated Friday and Saturday. Job done for today.

Event: Head of the River Race 2009 - Senior3 VIIIs
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

A fantastic result which we can be hugely proud of! This is the highest an Oxbridge College has ranked in a while, and it is based upon hard work and excellent coaching! Thanks in particular to Jon Davies, Tom Rose and Iain Law who have contributed a great deal to teaching us to row, and to keep on pushing us to our limits!
Personally I enjoyed every single stroke of this race, because there had been such a build-up to it. This was it, this was what we had been training for all year. We had ups and downs in our preparation, but to go out on the day it really counts, and to just do it feels incredible. Stern pair set a crystal clear rhythm which perpetuated through the boat like an epic rowing rave, awesome. Thanks for this guys, it has made every single minute on the erg, in the gym and on the water worthwhile.

This is only the start of the FaT epic domination, May term here we come!

Event: May Bumps 2009 - Saturday
Posted as: Flo
Event Link

The row didn't feel as pretty as Friday's, but it certainly had the guts. A little rough around the edges, everyone could feel the exhaustion from the previous three days.

We won the headship on Friday, we won it by breaking Caius at the Railway Bridge. Today we knew we could do it, but we also knew it'd be hard, and it was a question of going out there, having the guts to execute our plan and prove ourselves worthy of the first Mays headship retention since 1967, 42 years ago. Job done!

Everyone in this crew owes great thanks to everyone who contributed to making this boat go fast, in particular coaches. Tom Rose and Jon Davies have devoted endless hours on their bikes coaching and we are tremendously priviledged to have these guys. We also owe great thanks to Iain who contributed a lot of advice, some coaching and was a very calming influence on the towpath during bumps week - when he pushes you off you know you have one less thing to worry about!

I am excited for next Mays - Ra Ra First and Third!