The Club's Results
May Bumps 2023
2nd men's VIII
2nd men's VIII | |||
in Black Prince | |||
bow | Igor Medvedev | 2 | Andrew Farquharson |
3 | Toby Collins | 4 | Bogdan Zviazhynski |
5 | Thomas Gaertner | 6 | Jos Higgins |
7 | Andrey Karailiev | str | Krisztian Hunter |
Coxed by: Connor Wood
Bumped by Jesus II
A lot of discussion had gone on the week prior about the importance this day would have for setting us up for the week. A bump up would mean a hopeful rise on following days and saving M2 from its precarious position at the bottom of Div 2, whereas a bump down would have us slip away into the far-from-coveted sandwich boat position. We were going to be rowing all out for 3 minutes, and what happens happens.
Our valiant push would not last though, when carnage in the river further up the division led to all boats coming to a standstill. After some confusion, a re-row was called with the four boats meant to be ahead of us all bumped out and nothing but a row-over, or double overbump suggested in jest (surely one would never happen...), as our options.
As we got to our station, everyone in that boat knew it would not be easy. But we had pulled away once, and would have to do the same again. The start was much the same, with Jesus quick to reach a whistle on us and likely sure the bump would follow soon after. But, as Connor took us around every bend expertly and the crew dug in, we managed to hold them off for a while longer than they'd have expected. Thing took a turn when down in front of the Plough, Jesus made a move and began to put down some power with the intent to go in for the kill. We could hear the second whistle, and before long that boat was looking too close for comfort. They were a powerful crew, and despite some of our best rowing yet, the push away from them never came. And so, just after Ditton, the gap closed fully and they secured a well-fought bump.
Rowed over Head
Rowed over as sandwich boat
Bumped by St. Catharine's II
Bumped Darwin
Double overbumped Sidney Sussex as sandwich boat
After an exciting row the day before that unfortunately cumulated in getting bumped, we were ready to tackle on oncoming day with the goal of breaking back into division two. There were thoughts of a potential double overbump on Sidney M1 who had been overbumped the day before. When Zara and Thomas Frith had independently thought of the prospect, I knew we were in with a chance. However, Darwin M1 were standing in our way first. When Fordy was told of our plan he gave it as much thought as he usually does when a crew declares they are going to double overbump.
We arrived at the boat house in plenty of time with me having just come from bank partying W2’s successful race where they once again bumped up. We readied ourselves and pushed out and rowed to the P+E and then on to the lock with some very nice starts and bursts.
The race against Darwin for a potential position in division two was on and they gave it a good fight, but we rowed well and rowed together and caught them as we entered the reach, unfortunately while clearing we crashed into the bank and took off our bow ball along with part of our bow. Alex Barrett nearly fell in the river attempting to retrieve the bow ball with Bomber and Máté holding down his legs. We quickly dispatched Zara to rush to control to acquire duct tape so Bomber could attach the spare bow ball he seems to always carry on himself.
Once cleared by the umpires and having let all traffic pass us, we pushed out and rowed to the railway bridge where we all got out and held the boat at waists to allow the repairs to take place. With a successful job we rowed back to the lock and got on station quite early. This is when we really started to believe that we could do this. We were going to do the unthinkable and go for a double overbump. Bomber gave us a chat about doing well and rowing hard however he himself had started to believe we might do this as he had revamped our whistle system, 3 whistles for 3 lengths, 2 for 2 and then back to normal. This was going to be a very tough race – we had to gain 11.5 lengths over the course.
When the final gun went, we were ready, we started off hard; rating in the high thirties at our signature 1:22 splits and then we quickly found our rhythm of 1:40 splits which we held for nearly the entire course except for the final build. We rowed onwards to the plough passing Cats and Jesus who had already caught their prey and we knew it was time for us to go. William Connolly didn’t believe we could do it and stopped filming here and CamFM said we were in a race all of our own. Along plough reach we got the call of 4 lengths to go which was a great motivator. We continued to take distance off of them with every stroke with 3, 2 and 1 to go all occurring along the reach. We pushed as hard as we could go as Sidney had now realised the incoming danger and were trying to fight back however, they were fading. We were within half a length as we passed under the railway bridge and approaching the women who were marshalling. Our W1 was screaming at us to go and get them which really spurred us on to the final push as we took the rate up and we kept gaining until finally we saw the umpire raise their hand to award us the bump which we later found out was when they were ten metres away from the finish.
Everyone was elated, Igor splashed everyone in the boat, Orson and Máté were going wild on the bank, Bomber actually smiled and double high fived Alex. It was an amazing feeling and one that we may struggle to replicate for some time. We rowed home with our heads held high and as we passed M1 and shouted what had happened the glee on Thomas’ face was immense that we had actually pulled it off. Imogen Grant later said it was the most insane thing she had ever seen.
1. M2 at the the bumps ...
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