Marlow Regatta

FROM THIS....................................

All nine of my finely-tuned athletes following my rigorous training programme!

I keep telling them that rest is important but hadn't expected to find them all fast asleep just before our final on Saturday!

We were looking forward to another tough weekend of racing at Dorney against good quality opposition but after Thursday night's training, Pluto wasn't convinced his knee would cope with, potentially, 3 heats of 2k racing and wisely stepped down to save himself for Sunday. Time to find another sub at short notice but I called in a favour this time. Now you may have thought that one Charlie would have been enough for any crew but, after quite a kerfuffle with all-in-ones, another Charlie (all 68kg of him) jumped in and off they went for the heat, lined up against Star Club, Jesus College, St George's College, Thames and HSBC. It was a little breezy and surprisingly chilly but having recently learnt to actually tap down, the crew coped well! A little slower off the blocks than a couple of crews, their consistency started to pay off as they crept up the field. 3rd, 2nd, in the lead, winning by over 4 seconds from Star - and straight through to the final.

Unfortunately the 4x went off barely 30 minutes after us so we didn't get to see much as we were busy getting the boat in.

The winners of the other 2 heats, together with rep winners, met up in the afternoon; Eton, York City, Star, Latymer Upper, Royal Shrewsbury School and 'only Maidstone'. Once again, a little slower off the start than LU and Eton but a good second 500m saw us drawing level with Eton. The battle for places was really between the two schools and us. In the third 500m, we consolidated our lead over Eton and settled into a strong rhythm, hoping to push along. Then, at about 500m to go, Eton had a massive push and started creeping back. We had to respond. Legs like jelly, heart thumping (and that was only me on the bike!), the crew kept pushing for the finish line. Eton pushed again, we pushed harder! Over the line in front of Eton, coming 2nd to a very impressive Latymer Upper School. For the geeks amongst you, Latymer came 5th in Championship 8+s and that was Eton's 2nd crew who won the Child Beale Cup (1st 8+s), at Nat Schools recently, so we were in extremely good company!

Being a scratch crew, having just stepped up to IM2 and being only 1 point over IM3, this was a very creditable performance. But we were bringing back the big guns for tomorrow!

Sunday dawned rather warmer and slightly less windy. We turned up early to support the 4x but unfortunately the competition in IM1 was just too tough on the day. Like us, they were a little slow off the start but the fastest second half in the race meant a good finish, MIRC 3rd.

We then cheered on Sam before beginning to start our serious training regime of lying on the grass! We knew we could beat HSBC. However, we thought Abingdon would feel they had something to prove after Reading, and Bristol Ariel were a bit of an unknown quantity. But, for once I was feeling really confident and hoped the crew felt the same. Race plan was simple - a 2k strategy but just cutting out the middle 1k! Basically, a start and a finish! This time they went storming off at the start and then stormed home to the finish, with Abingdon over 4 seconds behind!

Matt raced immediately afterwards in his new boat and came 2nd in IM1 1x, whilst the 8+ cheered him on from the water. Stu had an exciting race to finish the day and made a spirited come back in the second half to finish 2nd in E1x.

TO THIS............................... WINNERS IM2 8+
p.s. And then the 8+ heard it had qualified for Henley! What a great weekend!