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Peterborough Regatta - 2013
A small but effective group of Masters and Seniors went to Peterborough this year and came back with 4 wins.
The senior men had made a strategic call to train during the Spring in small boats (singles and doubles/pairs), so that the smaller squad could still make an impact in terms of numbers of entries. The ploy has worked admirably, with an excellent return of 3 wins:
Alex Marlow and Tom Saunders won the IM2 pair in 3.52 with a handsome victory margin over Peterborough and Lincoln/RAF.
Jonathan Voss and Pluto Nicolls (in his comeback race after 2 years fixing his worthless VW Polo) won the IM3 2x in two heats beating Deben, Champion of the Thames, Birmingham, Derby and Peterborough.
Tom then went on to win the IM3 singles in a field including Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Nottingham, Warwick, Broxbourne, Sheffield, Derby and our very own Marlow and Finch! What was impressive with this win was that some of the toughest competition came from his fellow MIRC scullers, which bodes well for the seniors’ small boats strategy in the future!
The Masters also picked up an excellent win with the Masters B Novice 4+ (Dave Purchase, Richard Reynolds, Mark Pflaumer and Graham Hill, coxed by Dani) taking time out from their weight training schedule to actually row, and losing their rowing cherries in a tight competition against St. Neots and Peterborough. Hurrah.
Edit: view of the race from the coxes seat;
"from the crews perspective the race was perfectly timed. They had a good start with a healthy lead, took the pressure off in the middle and put a perfectly timed push in at the end with energy to spare ....... the reality however is yes they did get a really good start but weren't ever able to take the pressure off as at the 500m mark the crew in Lane 3 (? peterborough) started to gain and put pressure on so they had to keep their heads together and work hard, no let up! at the 250 mark they were coming ever closer and at about 200m I called "keep your eyes in the boat, above my head and listen only to me!" as I thought they may panic if they saw how close it was followed by "it's yours if you want it but you've got to give it all you've got now to the finish" and thankfully they held them off. There was certainly no energy left at the end so 3 cheers was quite difficult
The plus point is that we have retained the Rod Glover Trophy and are the only club to have their name on it twice .... just need to find a male novice crew for next year now :-)"
Other MIRC representation included the BBQ Masters D4+, Messers Jones and Marshall in a Vet Z double and Katy Povall in a Ladies B/C 1x.
Will Purnell lead the next man by several lengths of clear water to comfortably qualify for the semi-final of the novice sculls. Unfortunately the competition for a spot in the final proved a little too tough, but nonetheless a fantastic showing by Will in his first solo outing at a regatta. Next stop, Reading Town!
Well done all, and thanks for Darren and Thor for the pics.
Masters National Championships - 2013
SHOCK! HORROR!
It was warm and dry at the Masters National Championship in Nottingham all day. It was a pleasure to sit on the banks and actually watch some racing instead of hiding away from the usual rain and cold in cars and the main clubhouse waiting for your event to come along.
We only put in 5 crews this year, with the 'Weight Training' squad and the 'BBQs/Sunday' squad sitting this one out.
With Ridgway out doing a triathlon, we moved up into Vet E for the eight, bringing in Keith Jones and all of his 71 years. This year there was a huge tail off from Vet D to E. 12 boats in the Vet D Open event v just 3 in the Vet E combined IM3/Open event. Unfortunately, the dominant Quintin boat were one of the 3, so we focused our energies on beating the Broxbourne 8. It was a good race - an excellent one really. We started slowly, and had to row through Broxbourne to come second to Quintin by only a length in 3.23.
The Open Vet D quad were in a tougher competition with the first 3 (Ardingly, Tees and Broxbourne - three really excellent crews) repeating their battle from last year . It was a predictable race of two halves with those three at the front, and our quad facing off against against Durham and Bradford. Durham didn't really show, but we were neck and neck with Bradford all the way until they tailed off at the end. We hit our target time of 3.25, and came off with mixed feelings of not getting a medal, but knowing there is plenty of improvement to come.
The mixed MIRC/Medway Vet B quad (including James and Lewin) had a disappointing race by their standards. It looked pedestrian from the bank, and James described it as splashy. They came 4th in 3.19.
James and Lewin then went in the Vet B 2x, and immediately redressed the balance by coming second to Peterborough in a 6 horse race in a very impressive and fast 3.21. SILVER - HURRAH.
Finally, Mr Jones bravely hauled his single down the course in a joint Vet H, I and J race (are there such letters?), which means a race for really old lunatics. Coming 3rd of 4 in 5.07. Bravo.
A big thanks to Liz Ridgway for coming up and coxing (in her state), forcing us to follow her day long eating cravings for junk food, and making us smile.
It was warm and dry at the Masters National Championship in Nottingham all day. It was a pleasure to sit on the banks and actually watch some racing instead of hiding away from the usual rain and cold in cars and the main clubhouse waiting for your event to come along.
We only put in 5 crews this year, with the 'Weight Training' squad and the 'BBQs/Sunday' squad sitting this one out.
With Ridgway out doing a triathlon, we moved up into Vet E for the eight, bringing in Keith Jones and all of his 71 years. This year there was a huge tail off from Vet D to E. 12 boats in the Vet D Open event v just 3 in the Vet E combined IM3/Open event. Unfortunately, the dominant Quintin boat were one of the 3, so we focused our energies on beating the Broxbourne 8. It was a good race - an excellent one really. We started slowly, and had to row through Broxbourne to come second to Quintin by only a length in 3.23.
The Open Vet D quad were in a tougher competition with the first 3 (Ardingly, Tees and Broxbourne - three really excellent crews) repeating their battle from last year . It was a predictable race of two halves with those three at the front, and our quad facing off against against Durham and Bradford. Durham didn't really show, but we were neck and neck with Bradford all the way until they tailed off at the end. We hit our target time of 3.25, and came off with mixed feelings of not getting a medal, but knowing there is plenty of improvement to come.
The mixed MIRC/Medway Vet B quad (including James and Lewin) had a disappointing race by their standards. It looked pedestrian from the bank, and James described it as splashy. They came 4th in 3.19.
James and Lewin then went in the Vet B 2x, and immediately redressed the balance by coming second to Peterborough in a 6 horse race in a very impressive and fast 3.21. SILVER - HURRAH.
Finally, Mr Jones bravely hauled his single down the course in a joint Vet H, I and J race (are there such letters?), which means a race for really old lunatics. Coming 3rd of 4 in 5.07. Bravo.
A big thanks to Liz Ridgway for coming up and coxing (in her state), forcing us to follow her day long eating cravings for junk food, and making us smile.
Bedford Head - 2013
Following the
BBC’s alleged example, James and his band of mavericks organised a lightning
raid on Bedford Small Boats Head using his WJ14 squad as smoke screen….
Travelling light with one coxed quad and one coxless quad aboard the
lightweight trailer the raiding party arrived at Bedford
The poster had
said no under J15s but the organisers had left a back door open with WJ14 events
listed on BROE. MIRC HQ had quickly filed the entries before the mistake was
spotted but not before 9 other crews had also entered. The girls were there to
gain some valuable racing experience and despite their tender ages (most are
actually WJ13s) most were set to race the 2,000m course twice each in three
different combinations, thankfully aided and abetted by a strong tailwind and
good stream. Time to show their coach some mettle…
The first
crew of Ella K, Ella M, Maddie and Charlotte were led out on a path finding
mission by Louise. The course at Bedford Goose Island
The next crew
of Charlotte, Molly, Katie, Louise with Ella K steering (all WJ13) set off with
a hunger to match the previous time. They shot the Town Bridge
The last crew
of Molly, Ella M, Maddie and Katie with Louise having seen the results of the
other crews in the event on the rolling
result screens and via twitter knew that they had to go hard or go home. Rating
low but rowing neatly together they succeeded in the best MIRC time of the day
of 9:06 valiantly holding off a double intent on ramming them!
The final
times against the other crews showed a way to go yet to catch the frankly scary
and large WJ14 girls from St Neots (7.38) who beat the winning crews in the
following categories WIM2 2x, WIM3 2x, WNov 2x, WJ16 2x and WNov 4x+! So the
girls now face a year of protein shakes, 1hour ergs, and constant squat jumps……
Meanwhile,
cannily hiding in the wind shadows the composite of
Medway/Maidstone/Monmothians (aka Emineminem) slunk their way past the
unsuspecting crews to the start. Positioned as third boat off in Division 2,
two keen J18 quads between them and the finish line, the Mas BCD 4x kept their
guns wrapped up warm until the last possible moment. Using the shadow of the twin
bridges the quad upped the rating and pressure and shot over the start line at
a rate of knots. Now the rules if you read them state that Thou Shalt Not Pass
Another Crew Before The First Bridge and if you have read them you’d think how
likely is that…. so after the MMM quad stopped for a breather and let the
youngsters pass through the bridge under fettered, they set to and promptly
goosed them as they passed the island and Star RC and despite the spray pressed
on and overtook the other quad right in front of the main Bedford clubhouses
for good effect before sprinting for the finish line. The cat was out of the
bag. The time went up, 6:15, fastest of the day so far easily securing the pots
for Mas BCD 4x. OED were now in the process of releasing the new verb “to be
codgered” (definition: to be ruthlessly and humiliating overtaken by a bunch of
veteran rowers)
Time for a
refreshing cup of tea and some figgy biscuits… that’s how Master rowers roll…
meanwhile the war machine at Star RC had started rumbling, the conscription
papers quickly dispatched to their Henley
medallists…..
Last up for
the MMM quad was a cheekily foray into IM1 4x territory… again the canny
Masters rowers keeping their weapons warm while their younger Maidenhead
opposition put on a full gun-show to display their shiny Hudson to full effect (must
remember that rack of lamb for the BBQ next weekend). This time the MMM quad
were leading off the Division so no worries about full access to the first
bridges. Knowing that a St Neots J18 4x had tried to save the collective junior
blushes by squeaking out a 6:14 time, and seeing Star’s Sen 4x race earlier but
no confirmed time yet, and after seeing Mr Dewhurst’s finest wares behind them,
the MMM quad simply went for it. The Maidenhead quad tried a blitzkrieg move
but left their supply lines too far behind and died off after 1k gone. The MMM
quad roared home in 6:08….. second pot of the day.
Elsewhere as
the ink dried on the Bedford-Star Alliance Pact, the times for the Star Sen 4x
and IM1 4- (Mulkerrins – sure I’ve seen that name somewhere before?) were
released…. 5:44 and 6:00… “fair play, they rowed hard, we will let those pesky outsiders
have third place”.
Report by
James inspired by the mad ramblings of Lewin
Medway Head of the River - 2013
MIRC took four crews to this year's Medway Head. The weather was extremely kind, and were greeted with flat waters and a clear day - perfect for rowing.
We had 2 entries in a 3 way fight in the Masters C/D Eights, with our D crew, just coming out on top over a very good Medway crew. It was nip and tuck right down the course, but we were helped when their bowman caught a boat stopping crab on the finishing straight. The D crew won the event and came second overall in 15.44
A very strange shot of the Vet D 8 medal winners...
The C crew (considering their development status) put in a strong row coming 4th overall with a time of 16.32.
The Vet C8+ in action
Our boys in the novice coxed quad from Maidstone Grammar had their first away event, and did really well in a time of 17.36. They had no opposition, but only came half a minute or so behind 3 IM3 coxless fours, which bodes well for the future.
Our boys in the novice coxed quad getting ready to go (mid picture)
The biggest shock of the day came when our Masters C4+ picked up an unexpected win against Bewl in 18.20. In their favour was the fact they were only a couple of years below Masters D; but there are some doubts as to whether their opposition were all of the male gender... This was Thor's triumphant return to racing after a year's absence.
A perfectly normal shot of the Vet C4+ medal winners
Thor has his uses!
A really fun day out, just a shame there were so few entries. Hopefully we will be there again next year.
Thanks to Andrea and Catherine Thorfriend for the pics
We had 2 entries in a 3 way fight in the Masters C/D Eights, with our D crew, just coming out on top over a very good Medway crew. It was nip and tuck right down the course, but we were helped when their bowman caught a boat stopping crab on the finishing straight. The D crew won the event and came second overall in 15.44
The C crew (considering their development status) put in a strong row coming 4th overall with a time of 16.32.
Our boys in the novice coxed quad from Maidstone Grammar had their first away event, and did really well in a time of 17.36. They had no opposition, but only came half a minute or so behind 3 IM3 coxless fours, which bodes well for the future.
The biggest shock of the day came when our Masters C4+ picked up an unexpected win against Bewl in 18.20. In their favour was the fact they were only a couple of years below Masters D; but there are some doubts as to whether their opposition were all of the male gender... This was Thor's triumphant return to racing after a year's absence.
A really fun day out, just a shame there were so few entries. Hopefully we will be there again next year.
Thanks to Andrea and Catherine Thorfriend for the pics
MIRC Spring Small Boats Head - 2013
Once again, Maidstone was graced with beautiful weather as our Spring Head heralded the start of Spring after a pretty grim winter in terms of cold, wind, rain and lost outings due to fast stream warnings.
This was another full event with the usual strong contingents from the likes of Poplar, Globe, Medway, Gravesend, Erith, Ardingly, Kings School Canterbury, Kent College and Kent University. We even had representation from the West of London from Tideway Scuillers and Kingston Grammar.
With no wind and a slow stream, we had an even playing field across the 3 divisions.
MIRC picked up 4 wins:
The Masters D quad of Ollie Barton, Geraint Evans, Ray Phillips and Richard Huggins, coxed by Liz Ridgway, were the fastest MIRC crew and won this event for the 3rd time in a row. They came 3rd overall in 9.07.
Messers Huggins and Evans went on to win the Masters D 2x event in 9.44, despite a costly tangle with the bushes (and on home turf too, the shame of it!)
K Belton won the J17 singles sculls in an impressive time of 10.17.
Nick Bird won his comeback home Head in the Masters D/E singles with 10.42.
Again, another excellently organised and run event, so a big thanks to Rob Kenway for coordinating the support. Only 2 dips in the water (what is the MIRC SBH without at least a few?). Results coming out faster (thanks Anne). No angry owners of damaged river boats, and only a few peed off fishermen.
See you in the Autumn.
See other excellent pics provided by Alistair Hill and Andrea Barker below...
This was another full event with the usual strong contingents from the likes of Poplar, Globe, Medway, Gravesend, Erith, Ardingly, Kings School Canterbury, Kent College and Kent University. We even had representation from the West of London from Tideway Scuillers and Kingston Grammar.
With no wind and a slow stream, we had an even playing field across the 3 divisions.
MIRC picked up 4 wins:
The Masters D quad of Ollie Barton, Geraint Evans, Ray Phillips and Richard Huggins, coxed by Liz Ridgway, were the fastest MIRC crew and won this event for the 3rd time in a row. They came 3rd overall in 9.07.
Messers Huggins and Evans went on to win the Masters D 2x event in 9.44, despite a costly tangle with the bushes (and on home turf too, the shame of it!)
K Belton won the J17 singles sculls in an impressive time of 10.17.
Nick Bird won his comeback home Head in the Masters D/E singles with 10.42.
Again, another excellently organised and run event, so a big thanks to Rob Kenway for coordinating the support. Only 2 dips in the water (what is the MIRC SBH without at least a few?). Results coming out faster (thanks Anne). No angry owners of damaged river boats, and only a few peed off fishermen.
See you in the Autumn.
See other excellent pics provided by Alistair Hill and Andrea Barker below...
