Fairbairns 2006

Race Times & Positions:

M1: 14:39.9 7th position W1: 16:45.7 3rd position M2: 15:19.6 14th position (fastest Men's 2nd VIII) W2: 18.40.7 21st position Novice MA: 10:44.3 23rd position Novice WA: 11:18.7 1st position (fastest Novice Women's VIII) Novice MB: 11:09.3 32nd position Novice WB: 12:27.3 20th position Novice MC: 12:15.2 52nd position Novice WC: DNF 58th position

Men's Captain's Summary:

M1:

After showing very strong results in 2005/06, this Michaelmas Term was a transition phase for the mens' side of Caius Boat Club. Facing the loss of very experienced rowers, it was the start of building and preparing a new team facing the upcoming challenges in Lents and Mays. With only two headship holders, and three former novices in the line up, Caius M1 aimed to show a strong performance in the final and most important race during Michaelmas Term, and to defend the Fairbairn Cup.

After struggling during the previous races to achieve good results the team increased the training on the water and on the land to close the gap to other college teams during the second half of the term, leading to good improvements on erg scores. After good work with the new coaching staff (including new boatman and former world class sculler Simon Goodbrand, and former CUBC members Kyle Coveny and Tom Edwards) the members were looking confidently towards the senior Fairbairns race that would see them starting right behind the two CUBC and one CULRC entries.

Struggling to find the rhythm right away the whole boat showed commitment rating 36/37 for the first two minutes of the race, but eventually settled at a very smooth 34 after one third of the race and started to move the boat very well. Keeping the rhythm, rate and cover over the whole race course and bumping the rate up to 37/38 for the final 2 1/2 minutes showed the good work done by coaches and team members through out the term. Unfortunately the gained speed was not enough to keep the so-much-desired Cup for a third time in a row. Losing to Jesus College by 17 seconds caused an unexpected disappointment throughout the whole crew, especially after having the best row of the term. The result of 5 more college crews being slightly faster (second placed LMBC was only 7 seconds faster) than Caius M1, including well-known arch rival First and Third, showed the importance the Fairbairn Cup Races have gained over recent years as a preparation for Lents. Being quite disappointed in the first moment by the result, it nevertheless demonstrated our improvement and comittment during this term, and motivates us to work harder during the coming weeks to be ready for Lent Bumps.

M2:

After running a squad system at the very beginning of term, the crews for M1 and M2 were selected quite quickly. Facing similar challenges as Caius M1 regarding rowers and previous successes, all members of the squad prepared carefully for the Fairbairn Cup Race and aimed to defend last year's trophy and to post a good result, to show upcoming Lent opponents our aim of become the fastest M2 in Lents once again.

The race began with a powerful start and the team showed the will to win it. Facing some technical difficulties could not stop the boat fighting throughout the whole race, and the training with M1 paid off as a 1 second margin gave the win ahead of Jesus II.

Hans Hufnagel

Men's Captain

Women's Captain's Summary:

W1:

Fairbairns 2006, judgement day for Michealmas term rowing. The first women trained consistently throughout the term with ergo testing weekly and some incredible rows through rain, wind and freezing conditions. Following a difficult row in Winter Head we were confident that we could be placed within the top three in Fairbairns. Such a position would mean that the headship for Lents would be within reach.

We had a fantastic start rating 38 after ten strokes. Settling at around 34/35 we held a strong rhythm through the first part of the race past all the boat houses from Jesus to Churchill. Past the P&E we picked up some speed, catching sight of the First and Third boat behind us. As we passed Ditton corner we lost our rhythm and took a few panicked strokes before getting back onto a settled stroke. The finish was fast and gutsy, every girl giving their all to pass the line at full speed.

W1 would like to thank Kyle and Tom for their encouragement and coaching throughout Michealmas term.

We were placed a respectable 3rd, a success for the coaches and girls alike. Bring on Lent bumps!

W2:

This term, W2 had 5 girls new to rowing at Caius and we were all extremely keen to once again prove to be the best 2nd VIII on the river and defend our Fairbairns title of 2005.

Our initial outings indicated that the crew had a lot of potential and, with a good training programme, we hoped to equal last year's result. However, the training proved to be difficult with a constantly changing crew throughout the term, preventing any real improvements between outings. At the last moment we had to draft in two novices to the crew to race Fairbairns. Despite this, we came a respectable 3rd behind an excellent Pembroke crew which left us thinking what might have been if we had had a more consistent line-up throughout the term. However, there are many positives to build on for Lent term and with all the excellent novices this year, the prospects for W2 in Lent Bumps are extremely promising.

Men's Lower Boats Captain's Summary:

The mens novice campaign was fantastic this year! We had a competitive Novice A and a Novice B and C who were almost feverish to succeed. We had some individuals who really stood out as being possible M1 rowers of the future, if not Uni rowers (Oli did it).

Novice A were one of the best Novice A's in our recent history coming third in Queens ergs, only beaten by a HUGE Queens team and LMBC. They were also tipped by most people to at least be in the top three in Novice fairbairns however were unlucky this time. One of the reasons they were so competitive this year was because we had some dedicated and excellent coaching by Muiris Moynihan, Charlie Shawcross and Ian Vigrass.

It was not all about Novice A however! Novice B and C came on a massive amount during term. Novice B with all their cancelled outings due to the ridiculously bad weather last term did really well coming 32nd overall (10 places higher then last years novice B most of who are now in M1 and M2). Novice C had the best attitude I have ever seen in a rowing boat, always on the ball and keen to improve while still having a laugh which is what novicing is all about really, having fun on the river. That attitude also brought success beating last year's novice C by a whole minute and coming in as one of the top 3rd boats.

Caius is not famous for its novices and this years campaign began to solve that issue. Caius is famous around the world for its seniors, most of whom come through the novice campaign. Rowing as a senior at Caius is different (better) from rowing as a novice, as a senior you will get access to fantastic coaches from the likes of Simon Goodbrand and Tom Edwards and be able to cruse around in the best boats on the Cam. I hope that lots of the novices continue rowing, whether aiming for the glory and fame that comes with Caius M1, for the excitement of the bumps or whether it's for those sunny evening outings in May term.

Ashley Holland & Sam Lillywhite

Men's LBCs

Women's Lower Boats Captain's Summary:

Women's LBC's summary here