The Club's Results

The best we have raced all term. A significant step up from Clare novices 5 days before. Took us a little while to find our rhythm but held it strong down the course. Excellent lift out the railway bridge, but died again 100m later. Not much left to give (Alexander Watson)

As the troublesome waves of the River Cam swayed and knocked, our hearts did not wander and neither did our heads. For there was no fear amongst the crew, though we knew the stakes, we were prepared do what was necessary, our absolute best. Being the first boat out, we were forced to wander the treacherous waves alone, no boats visible ahead, and definitely none behind. Our glutes ached as each contraction worked to lever our team forward. It was almost as if VIII became one. One boat. One oar. Pushed to our limits by our fabulous bank party, we heaved, we pulled, and most importantly we maintained good posture. Eventually we reached the final stretch, the home straight, so to say. We could almost see the curvature of the earth in our peripheral vision, but neither the sublime nor the cold, would get in our way as we pushed the limits on human capability for the last five hundred metres… Until eventually, our torture had ended, the marshal’s horn sung in our ears, as if it was praising our efforts, not to say our cox who was too busy shouting had heard this, as we maintained our efforts for several strokes after our punishment had been officially concluded. “Wind it down” was all we could focus on for the seconds superseding out effort, as we waited for the glorious call, eventually our prayers were answered. (no crabs) (Dhanya Swami)

A great final race to sum up this term's rowing! Committed from start to finish, making changes as a crew, technically some of the best rowing so far this term: I couldn't ask for more as a cox. I'm so proud of my crew this term and I hope they all continue having fun as seniors next term. Well done boys! (Patrick Fleming)

A great race in which we took our sweet revenge on Caius NM2 following Clare Novices. Our result would not have been achieved without expert coaching, a bottle of pre-race honey and a certain crew member's honourable sacrifice of abstaining from clubbing the night before the race. (Samuel Wilson)

As both (last minute) cox and captain, I have to say it was great to end the term with NM3 on a high. We were the second fastest NM2, beat loads of NM1s, and had a great crab-free race. The crew progressed so much this term and I’m excited to row with some of them in the future. As for the race itself, I can’t think of worse conditions for it. It was cold, rainy, windy which combined with Jesus’s pitiful attempt at marshalling meant I came home bitterly cold. In spite of these conditions, the crew raced really well, put in a good shift and I did not crash the boat. I was advised by a FaT veteran to “keep the boat in the wet bit” and managed it this time without a bank party screaming at me to steer. While this is likely the end of my short-lived coxing career, I can’t think of a better crew for it to have been with!  (Archie Bentham)

What a boat were they
Who set out in the rain and
(Dido Coley)

There once was a crew that was new (Joel Swedensky)

As the marshall shouted “Attention, Go!” the sky declared personal war on the Cam, turning the Cambridge Riviera into a freezing, blind obstacle course. Against all odds, we miraculously rounded every corner and only caught a few minor crabs—a feat that felt more like witchcraft than steering. We clocked a lightning-fast 11:50 time even though our hands, slick with rain and rife with blisters, could barely hang onto the oars. The moment we crossed that line, our brains quit on our bodies and every muscle cramped down to Katie’s pinky toe. The mental victory was instant, but the physical reality was a crew of shivering, defeated lumps—fast, but useless nonetheless. If it wasn’t for Neil’s steady commands, we would still be drifting in Valkyrie out to the North Sea.

The physical surrender was immediate, but the rescue mission was already underway. Our only motivation to power through the row-back was the promise that Zara and Dido were waiting with a life-saving stash of sweets. With that glorious reward in sight, our angelic cox, Joel, tossed the power calls aside and belted out a full repertoire of Christmas carols and God Save the King. This beautiful absurdity and audible laughs from other boat clubs gave us the drive to finish the job. Final result: Second. We didn't lose the race, we just got severely out-flanked by a meteorological assault. Savage.

(Anna Ursin)

Only NM4 on the river, nothing to lose, no eyes on us, no pressure, here we go. Nonetheless, the crew is nervous before starting to row, we all know we can cause a major upset if we put in the race of our lives (Spoiler: we won't). Eagerly discussing race strategy (try not to crab immediately). Race starts, and we dash off with an amazing pace. After substantial struggle to find the rhythm (our Cox Lucy and Andrew on the bank we trying hard!!), we are locked in and flying. Somehow Wolfson NW1 is gaining on us. Crew starts to panic, we're being overtaken, and we realize that we only imagined only brutal pace. Around that point, 2's seat comes off, and he starts his heroic sacrifice by continuing to row nonetheless. We make it to the end, and still finish faster than Corpus NM1 at the bottom of the table. What a race!
(Hanno Kömpel)

(Benedict Randall Shaw)