As our first race as a crew it’s fair to say we were slightly apprehensive rowing down for Pembroke Regatta. Since the marshals were on time we had a quick turn around at the end of the reach and it wasn’t long before we were lined up ready to race against Lucy Cavendish/ Hughes Hall W1. The start was called so quietly that the majority of the boat failed to hear it, which led to a few shaky beginning strokes whilst the other boat pulled away strongly. Despite the excessive splashing and unevenness we then managed to pull ahead. For the majority of the race we were able to maintain our position, even pulling slightly further ahead by half a length in the middle of the race. Then, Lucy Cavendish demanded a fight for the finish, gaining on us ever so slightly coming in to the end of the reach. Our ever-enthusiastic cox managed to pull us through to the finish with a win.
The marshals then informed us of an hour-long wait until our second race and so back to the boathouse it was. We were cold and wet and tired but we didn’t let our spirits dampen. This was a great time for crew bonding and plenty of eating, and that we certainly did!
Our second race was against the elusive Downing W1. All lined up, we were ready for the start this time. We both pulled away powerfully but it wasn’t long before Downing were ahead of us. Of course, we gave our all and fought through to the end, but unfortunately still lost.
Overall the day gave us the experience we needed to be confident for the next day of racing at Bedford.
We were ready.
Abbie Vernon, 2