The Club's Results
Clare Novice Regatta, Mich Term 2014
1st women's novice VIII (Cup)
1st women's novice VIII | |||
in Denys Lawrence | |||
bow | Zoe Wible | 2 | Penny Marshall |
3 | Unknown | 4 | A. Cherskov |
5 | Chloe Edwards | 6 | L.S.C. Hildt |
7 | Carla Troyas-Martinez | str | Imogen Grant |
Coxed by: Liv Godwin
Beat St Edmund's
Beat Newnham
Beat Lady Margaret
Beat Downing
Now, about the race itself: it was the second time NW1 made it to finals this term. After our disappointing defeat against Jesus (during Emma Sprints) we were all determined to prove that we were a boat to be reckoned with. We knew composure was key: we couldn't get too exited, enthusiastic, or worse, panicked. Overall a pretty simple race: we had a few bad strokes, but we kept it together, and managed to gain about a length and a half! Slow and steady wins the race, and the cup!
The morning was beautiful - clear and bright. As we paddled towards Chesterton the mood in the boat was quite different to the previous Sunday when we had raced in Emma Sprints, probably something to do with not having face paint dripping down our faces. Everybody seemed ready to race and come away with the result we knew we were capable of (winning!).
In our first race we came up against Eddies and although we didnt do our cleanest rowing of the day we pulled away pretty early on. Liv called for a few strides and we settled in to a more relaxed rhythm at lower rate, until Matt decided it would be a wonderful idea to practice sprinting for the line - the rate built and the boat crossed the finish, our competitors following behind. We were in to the quarter finals.
With an hour until our next race we were able to get out of the boat, warm up and eat - when it was time we were ready to go. On our way down the reach we practised a start and a burst to race pace concentrating on keeping our composure and moving together.
Pulling away from Newnham off the start we maintained our rate, until they crashed in to the bank. And then crashed again. We lowered the rate and finished not long after Newnham rowed out from under the railway bridge. Seeing so much clear water between the boats certainly gave us confidence for our next race, where we would be up against Maggie in the semi-final.
As soon as we had paddled back to Chesterton from the finish it was time to spin and head back to the start. This race was the most daunting of the day so far - we knew that it would be tough. Liv managed to keep us calm while the wait for the start dragged on and the afternoon sun shone over the Cam. We knew NM1 and the other FaT crews were doing well, we needed to show everyone what NW1 were made of!
Maggie were faster off the start and began to pull away. After our experience in Emma Sprints we didnt let that disrupt our rhythm and continued rowing as a team, pushing hard. Gradually we crept back alongside the other boat and while we stayed together they fell apart. Once we were past them that was it, they fell away and we continued in to the final. This was our best race of the day - it was awesome! The feeling as we moved ahead was just incredible. (And the bank party was pretty excited too.)
So to the final. We would be racing Downing and all we had to do was row like we had against Maggie to be in with a good chance of winning the regatta. This time we pulled away and the gap between the boats grew to a couple of boat lengths, our rowing wasn't as clean but all we needed to do was hold them off. They may have closed in slightly but it didnt matter - we won!
1. NW1 and NM1 + coache...
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