The Club's Results

In the first race we pushed of hard from the start, rating at 37 and settled into a smooth 33/34. We managed to drop the rate towards the middle section of and never really managed to bring it back up. This wasn't helped by Thomas "digging" Frith who insisted on catching a few crabs for good measure in the final 200m.

Between races Frith ate a whole mango with the skin on. Then we set of with M2 to cheer on W1 from one of the bridges. We also misidentified a few college clubs also racing in division 3. This culminated with us shouting "Yeah King's" at the passing Downing M1, who throught their cocky behaviour on the Cam and Rowbridge, deserved to be taken down a few pegs. Well we all got taken down a few pegs that day by being beaten by the remarkibly powerful Bedford School J16 VIII.

After giving some loud words of encouragement to W1 on their race we belined for the pub where we made refuge from the miserable weather that had begun to take over the town. Most enjoyed meals upwards of 1300kcal and some in M2 even dared to have a pint (or two).

In the second race we rowed much better: staying a lot more in time, keeping the rate high and not catching any crabs. Unfortunately we lost a few seconds overall. Was it fatigue, the pub grub, wind? Who knows but we came back in agreeing that we rowed much better than just earlier that day.

Division 2  06:39

Division 6  06:43

Jesus were 15 seconds faster, which doesn't bode well for Lents.

We were actually entered into Open Eights (Band 3) again, but this is not allowed website-wise.

Having worked on our rate builds and rhythm in the preceding week M2(a) was well prepared for the 2k challenge presented by our little away day to Bedford. Departing Cambridge at roughly 7:30am, depending on your form of transport, the journey down to Bedford was one full of mental preparation, reflection on technique, and if you were in Westwood's car, carbs to soak up the alcohol consumed the night before. On arrival, the crew was generally in good spirits, bar Canadine who had been out well past his 9:30pm bedtime the night before! Speaking of 'bar,' Yoko was quick to establish the location of the nearest pub in Bedford, at 8:30am, anticipating the 5 hour gap between the two divisions we were racing in. This was an appropriately prescient move from our resident rocket scientist as after our first performance we were quick to rally the troops and advance on 'the Pilgrim's Progress.' For the record, FaT does not have an unhealthy drinking culture.

Now to report on the actual racing of the day. We had been entered into 2 divisions (the reason for which remains unknown) and so this arguably had an effect mentally on the amount of power the crew laid down in the first run of course. With a strong tailwind, the boys clocked in a respectable 6:58, just 19 seconds behind the try-hards in M1(b) who were fraudulently occupying 804, the rightful boat of M2(a)

The second race was one plagued by rain, a robust headwind and a power-crazed marshal who threatened to disqualify us for spinning early. However, the run was salvaged by a renewed determination to get the legs down following claims by some in M1(b) that they would beat our time by 30 seconds. This determined attitude was topped up of course by Feher's bucket hat and Westwood's bunny ears providing a healthy dose of free speed. A second crab free run featuring deranged cheering from the remaining W1 contingent ( Shorrock, Watts, Harper), the debut of the much-hyped "shake and bake" call from Man, and some laser focus from the boys themselves led to a respectable row that felt generally better than the attempt earlier in the day. Clocking in at 7:03, the boys were just 20 seconds behind M1(b), crushing their half a minute hopes, and once again demonstrating our general supremacy.