The Club's Results

So we went into this race having been severely affected by the ice and snow of mid February and not having had as many outings as we would have liked over the weeks. However, we did have a crew who were either experienced, keen or both.

On the paddle up it became clear that the boat was a lot more sat than it should be for a crew of mixed abilities, and travelling really quite fast too. This gave us confidence for the race, and we went off hard and fast and pulling away from the Maggie W3 behind us. A few pushes through the corners and down the reach and we crossed the finish line.

We went off too far behind Emma W3 to really know if we were ever gaining on them, but that doesn't really matter as we start 13th in division 3 and they start 18th. Maggie never seemed to make much (if any) distance on us, which is promising given that they are behind us for bumps.

All in all a great row, and a brilliant (if slightly unexpected - given the levels of training) result. (Rebecca)

Since our W2 bailed out of the Getting on Race and didn't steal any rowers, we had a nice full strong crew.

For some reason the crews were sent off in starting order, which meant that 30 crews had to spin and queue at the Lock, and we all know how coxing in bottom women's divisions is. Luckily it was a beautiful calm day, so serious carnage was avoided and the marshalling itself quite enjoyable.

The girls set off nice and strong with stern pair's blades approximately in bow pair's puddles, but as the pain kicked in around first post we lost any cover. Pushes out of the corners worked really well and recovered some of the rythm, which manifested in the distance from LMBC III behind us.

The commitment was definitely there, but Rachel insists, and I agree that we would have been better off with more cover at a slightly lower rate. It would be ideal if we could get the relaxation on the slide in the few outings before Bumps without pressure dropping off.

Time to start binning lectures and rearranging supervisions. With exceptionally little water time this term, W3 can make up a lot of distance in 3 outings. Seeing as the order is based on the Getting on Race, this means - BUMPS! (Nina)

After about 90 seconds, and for no obvious reason, LMBC III mounted the bank (the meadow-side, just past the outflow) in a painstakingly deliberate manoeuvre with more instalments than a Didier Drogba dive. Extraordinary (I would say "lolmaggie" but I'm a bit old for that - perhaps someone could oblige).

One member of this crew (despite naturally having obeyed the "ten outings" rule) had done "a bit of sculling at school several years ago" and precisely one tubbing session's worth of sweep rowing, yet fitted in seamlessly and contributed to a very solid row all round. I don't think I can adequately convey how impressed I was with this. (Neil T)

I don't think being 19 counts as 'old' in this sense, so: lolmaggie (Rebecca)

Not much to say here really - a late drop-out and futile attempts to find a sub meant we had to scratch. Hopefully we'll race tomorrow; given their easy ride so far (bumping a crashed Maggie boat on the first day), Anglia Ruskin W2 deserve a decent chase. Hopefully, having not yet made it even close to the motorway bridge, their fitness will be lacking and their egos will be overinflated. (Rebecca)

There was not much the crew could have done about the result today. Catz II were quite a quick crew for their position on the river and moved up very quickly from the start to make contact at the Motorway Bridge. (Richard)

Anglia Ruskin were slow, we were quick, Catz were quicker. (Rebecca)

A gutsy start but unfortunately Christ's W3 were faster. However, although we have been bumped down three times (and although things probably would have been different if we could have rowed on Wednesday), I think we can still call this a successful bumps campaign, as
a) We are the second fastest W3 on the river
b) We are the best ever Lents FaT W3
c) We didn't get spoons
These are all things to be proud of, so well done girls! (Rebecca)

Almost an action replay of yesterday. Christ's moved up rapidly to make contact just before the motorway bridge. It's disappointing not to finish the week as top W3 crew, but at least they're higher than Maggie W3! (Richard)

Excellent work girls - for a start it's brilliant to have a FaT W3 in Lents and not finishing arse of the river is a massive win... not that I didn't have a ball doing so :) Definitely a sign of bigger and better things to come. (Charley)