The Club's Results
Cambridge 99's Regatta, May Term 2023
A side by side knock out regatta along the reach over 1000m
Sun 21st May
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1st men's VIII, 2nd division
1st round
Lost to Trinity Hall M1
Lost to Trinity Hall M1
Once again, I find myself writing a report long after the action is over, and this was a race with a slow start where we never really recovered. Marshalling was rather long, and we maintain that the starting umpire spoke way too quickly, but that’s how regattas go.
Plate semi finals
Beat Hughes Hall M1
Beat Hughes Hall M1
A strong start, and a cruise to victory. We didn’t win by as much as we possibly could have, letting off the pressure a bit, but it was pleasant.
The race was about an hour behind schedule at this point, and the sun was rather warm.
Plate final
Beat Robinson M1
Beat Robinson M1
We really needed a wee. After the previous race, some of us had a quick run out along Stourbridge Common until we were far enough from the path that it seemed reasonable. Some nuts (from the wonderful Jonny Lee) and some water later, and we were all good. Apart from Iwo, who was somehow cold despite the boiling sun (being in bow, and therefore in the shade may have had something to do with this). We once more paddle down to First Post Reach and spin there, before coming back up to race. A banging start leads to a victory by a length, though we gained that off the start really, and didn’t really gain distance over the course.
Afterwards, Oli and George get some horrifying sunburn - horrifying enough that it goes on Oli’s Tinder profile, and George seems proud(?). I managed to sunburn the back of one of my fingers, which should indicate how sunny it was.
A good day, with some happiness by the end, and it bodes well for bumps - with the only crew that we lost to being too far down the chart to worry about.
2nd men's VIII, 4th division
1st round
Beat Churchill M2
Beat Churchill M2
Going into this race, we were optimistic. We had a strong start and made significant gains on Churchill. By the railings, we had their bow ball and pushed away. Churchill seemed to have blown up as we passed under the railway bridge and we soared ahead now more than a length and a half in the lead. We won and the crew was in good morale, though we know that the next race against Clare M2 was going to be tougher.
Semi finals
Beat Clare M2
Beat Clare M2
Nerves were high going into this race. We knew Clare M2 had previously put down good scores at races throughout this term, and I know a few guys in there have good ergs.
We had a very strong start, taking half a length within the first few strokes. I built to around r41-42 and held it quite high, around 38 until the railway bridge. We had their bow ball by the White House which gave us significant motivation. Once passed the railway bridge, Clare seemed to have made back some gains on us through a push. Going into the final stretch, I tried to build to finish strong. We crossed with around half a length ahead, and won.
Upon winning I stupidly decided it'd be a good idea to hit the water hard which sent a tsunami wave onto Connor which soaked him and his phone. He wasn't happy at all, but the crew spirits were high having won in a race we weren't the favourites in.
Final
Lost to Jesus M2
Lost to Jesus M2
The final, we didn't think we could make it here but as we waited on the start line, the nerves were high. I knew Jesus II had some big guys and ergs in their boat. Their bowman had a sub 6:50 2k, several of them had sub 7 2ks (apparently all of them). We were still full of adrenaline from the previous race.
We had a strong start but the rowing fell apart from around 30 strokes. We knew they were ahead so motivation was difficult. We tried to gain back what we had lost but the rowing was very scrappy and tense which meant we were quite inefficient. We had lost around a length on them unfortunately, and passing under the railway bridge this increased.
We lost but all in all, a brilliant day for M2 and significantly better than Bedford Regatta. We know there is still boat speed to be unlocked having looked at video footage of the race and look forward to seeing if we can stay in Div 2 for bumps.
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