During the championships the sun shone over Nottingham for a change and some great racing was had from NRC athletes. I was racing in both a 4+ and a 2- both of which had heats on the Saturday. We raced in the 4+ first but unfortunately drew the fastest heat missing out on a place in the final but beating the winners of the other heat by some 12 seconds. We could still make the final by going through the rep on the Sunday morning. With a tight turn around between event we prepared to boat for the 2- only to find out that 2 boats had scratched from the event and it had been re-drawn into a straight final on the Sunday. This was a welcomed relief as we were both quite tired from the 4+’s race.
We achieved our place in the 4+
final by winning the rep on Sunday morning.
We then took the chance to get some down time before the final. We had hopes of medalling in the final despite
only a few training outing’s. Despite being
good athletes individually sometimes crews just don’t gel together and we found
ourselves outside the medal standings. With
more time together I’m sure this could have been a different outcome but a 4+
is a boat we never train in. We entered
this event due to the change in schedule at this year’s event. There were only 3 events offered for senior
women the 2-, 4+ and the 1x. The
remaining event will be contested at the Diamond Jubilee Regatta in
October. This is a trial project with
the aim of moving the Senior British Rowing Championships to October in future
years.
Me and Lindsay didn’t have chance
to register the disappointment of the 4+ results. We hit the landing stage and as soon as we
had racked the boat it was time to boat in the 2-. We had just 20 minutes to make our way back
to the start line for our final race. We
have never raced the 2- together and had no idea of our speed. All we knew was we had to do our best to stay
in one lane. Neither of us was particularly
confident at steering although Lindsay proved a little more proficient at it
than me. By a little a mean rather a lot
and it was decided that she would steer.
The 2- is one of the hardest boats to row with 2 oarsmen or women with
only one blade each. You are totally responsible
for your side and although the most challenging it is probably one of the most
satisfying to get right.
We got to the start line rather worse for wear the lungs still burning and the lactate flowing. Needless to say we got dropped off the start with Cardiff University and Strathclyde Park taking the early lead. We were still in the race only 2 seconds behind Cardiff and level with Strathclyde Park at the 500m mark. We reached the halfway mark as a level pack and called at Lindsay to clear the field. We made our move and pushed on for clear water. This was the gear we were looking for and we pressed through the field to open up a 9 second gap over the other 2 crews and Thames who had now worked their way back into the mix. We moved on again in the final 500m as we made our last bid for the finish line with an advantage of 12 seconds over Thames in second place.
From our results both the 4+ and
the 2- was selected to represent England at this year’s Home International
regatta at Cardiff Bay. The 4+ however
was to change boats to the 4- and go coxless so we could race in both events. The 4- would also join forces with Molesey BC
racing in the 4+ and the together would form the 8+. Come on England!!!
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