Peterborough Regatta 2009:

1st Men
2nd (of 16) in IM3 8+

After an unwanted early start, we arrived in Peterborough greeted by some rather depressing drizzle, and with little knowledge of the quality of crews in our heat of 4. We had our own plan in mind and were determined to row our own race, irrespective of what others were doing about us. Our new start worked extremely well, and by the time the settle was called we were already a canvas up on everyone. As we found a rhythm we continued to move out to 3/4 length lead by halfway, and were never really troubled to keep this above 1/2 length as other crews strived for second place. It was a confidence boosting result, especially when we found we were only a second off being the fastest crew in the heats, Of course, our day trip wouldn't be complete without some controversy, which duly came when we got an official warning for warming down in the wrong lane. Oops.

With several hours till the semi-final, we were hard put to stay on our best behaviour and avoid getting disqualified. We decided it would be wise to stay away from the rowing and sit in a pub. With the regatta running late, we lined up on the start raring to go in our semi-final, knowing on paper that the finalists should be us and Homerton. Again our start was good and we simply rowed away from everyone else, stretching out our lead over Homerton in second to 3/4 length by halfway. They fought back strongly to draw level over the next 250m, and side by side we both pushed for the psychological win. It was only after we crossed the line we found we had pipped them by 3ft.

Going into the final as 3rd fastest in the semis, we knew we had a lot in reserve still and were confident of a good result. This time off the start we found ourselves in joint second with UEA, whilst Bedford school did what we had done to so many others and rowed away. Calling a push just before halfway though saw UEA drop away quickly and we held our position with Bedford, about 2/3 length down. The last 200m were an equivalent of a Bumps push and we cut the gap to under 1/2 length, but by then the damage was already done and we had to settle for second (this time we beat Homerton by clear water).

Overall, a satisfactory result that gives us confidence for Bumps. We did not lose through rowing badly - indeed our starts and final push were very pleasing - but perhaps we need to have more confidence in just how fit we are, perhaps we could have stuck with Bedford the whole course. Bring on the Bumps!

Written by Tom Wilson

1st Women
2nd (of 12) in IM3 8+

Looking at the draw before Peterborough Regatta we saw that there weren’t any other college crews competing in our category and so we didn’t have a very good of how well we would do. This was nice since it meant we entered the first race very relaxed and under no pressure. After a lot of grid lock and oar lock in the marshalling line whilst other races were rerun we finally got onto the start line. Our start wasn’t very impressive and for the first half of the race we were trailing in third place. However to calls of Robyn we got it together at the 500m mark and began to row through the other crews. As hope began the spur us on we pushed even harder until eventually we finished in first place! This unexpected victory sent us straight through to the final and was just the confidence boost we needed!

Shortly before the final we went for a practice row down the river and thankfully didn’t drown in all the weeds. Then it was straight across to the lake. The practice row had helped to zone in our concentration so we sat on the start line for the second time more prepared for what was ahead. Our start was much more together but once again was simply not as fast as the surrounding crews and so we began this race in last place. Fully aware of our new ability to row through crews we didn’t let this phase us and so carried on in our fast rhythm. Row through we did and as other crews began to tire we bumped up into second place. The winning crew was just too quick for us though and so it was in second place that we finished. A very pleasing result overall though!

Written by Deborah Smith