I don't know how they do it, but the organisers at Sudbury always manage to get the weather right for their regatta, so after a couple of showers in the morning, we were treated to a beautiful English summers day.
The Masters campaign started off badly with a loss in the defence of their Masters A Eights title against Lea. Who beat us tactically, by racing at 48 at 3/4 slide. We strode at 40 at full slide, but just could not compete with that stroke rate. Something to think about next time.
As we are talking Sudbury here, the day was littered with incidents, in particular, multiple flirtations with the infamous banks going both for and against our crews. Although it was clear that we have an edge from our own experience at Maidstone compared to many other crews.
The Masters B2x of James Knight and Lewin Hynes came across top quality opponents from Medway, who were attracted to the Bank like magnets. After Medway's first stoppage, our young Masters, very gentlemenly it has to be said, stopped and then restarted once Medway had almost caught up. This lasted a few more strokes before Medway hit the Suffolk bank again. A rather unsatisfactory win.
Richard Huggins (Masters D1x) and Ray Philips (Masters E1x) showed their quality in the single sculls both winning their events comfortably.
They combined to beat Broxbourne in the semis of the D2x, only to be just beaten by Paul Kane and Mick Howe (MIRC/Ardingly composite) in the final. Paul and Mick had beaten Huntingdon fairly easily twice (another gentlemenly rerow) to get there.
You would have thought Sudbury themselves would be immune to the dangers of the course, but after their Masters F crew beat our very own Tony Marshall and Keith Jones (rowing Vet G) in the heats, they in turn succumbed to their Suffolk bank in the final against our Robin Chapman and Roger Mobbs.
Roger then combined with Sue Mobbs in their now traditional Mixed Masters F 2x race against Sudbury (Masters D) in the best Masters race of the day, with Sudbury clawing back against the large handicap every step of the way, and Roger and Sue hanging in there for dear life. They won by a length.
Finally, the newly promoted Masters crew from Chris Long's Weight Training squad (for want of a better name) played at Masters A IM3 4+. They were either going to thrash or be thrashed in that event, and fortunately it was the former, as they were placed against a very Novice looking Gravesend crew, allowing them to win by the biggest margin of the day.
Jez Massey, Ali Machin, Mr Mayor, Dani James, Darren Prentice, Chris Long
The Juniors came with a large posse of youngsters, some of whom were enjoying their first regatta. None successful, but a great experience for them anyway.
Andrew Collins and Jake Harris won the J16 2x easily in an all MIRC final beating Broxbourne on the way. Andrew also made the final of J16 1x eventually being beaten by the boy who beat Jake in the previous round. However the race with Jake was extremely close and the fastest single race of the whole day!
Beth Arscott and Lauren Gilchrist won by 2 lengths in the WJ16 2x, beating Rob Roy in the final.
Finally Beth and Lauren teamed up with Arabella Gordon-Reid and Tamsyn McConnchie in a WJ16 4x+. Coxed by Connor Gilchrist, the crew racing as seniors (WIM3 4x+) beat Leicester RC handsomely by 3 lengths in a straight final.
Do we know him?
The now usual Veterans celebratory picture in the evening sun.
Another fun day out for us in Suffolk. A big thanks to the parents who helped out, and for towing from Chris and Darren.
Finally, there is some good video footage at Row TV HERE from a number of the Divisions.
Big thanks to the Facebooks of Andi, Jez and Darren for the piccies.
Big thanks to the Facebooks of Andi, Jez and Darren for the piccies.
