Having been training in a squad system from the start of term due to exam disruptions, the W1 crew entered in Head to Head had not been able to row as an VIII before the race. Given the experience of most of our crew members however, we were confident on pushing out that this would not be a problem, and tried to use the row-up to our marshalling station to get used to the new crew and crew order.
Being one of the earlier crews to arrive, marshalling was slightly stressful for Georgie, particularly since we were stuck next to a barge and unable to be pulled into the bank. When the time finally came for us to set off for the short row up to the start, we focussed on trying to find a good rhythm before taking the rate up under the bridge to begin the race.
We struggled to settle into something good however, and, half-way down the reach, a crab forced us to stop the boat. Picking up the rate again with a vigorous re-start, we were eager to make up for lost time, but again found it difficult to reach a powerful rhythm we could maintain for the rest of the course.
Upon reaching the finish line at the motorway bridge, we knew that we had not rowed to our usual standard, and, having received some feedback on how we could try to make it better by Lorenzo and Ying, hoped that we would be able to improve for the return race.
Unfortunately however, the return row suffered from the same rushed rhythm as that on the way up (apologies from the stroke seat!), and we ended the race fairly unimpressed with how we had performed. When results were out, it turned out that we had come joint fourth in our division (Mays 2nd).
But, on the bright side, we beat Magdalene W1 (who we will be chasing in bumps) by 40 seconds, and given that this was the first race of term, we’ve still got weeks of training to settle as a crew. There’s no doubt that next time we WILL be better!
Emma Jones, Stroke.