With the prospect of a puppy still high on the agenda, the composite W2 enthusiastically pushed off the bank for their first race of what is set to be an exciting year. A brisk paddle to the lock in addition to delay caused by rogue barge drivers allowed us plenty of time to think about the race ahead, spot talent, and for conversation to become progressively more bizarre. Who wants one puppy when you can have a selection box style variety of eight? A push for the MECBC menagerie to branch out into aquatic species was strongly supported; fish trained to swim alongside the boat would surely help improve head race results; a whale could strike fear into the hearts of the those being chased in Bumps; and a kraken, well that would just be cool. Personally, I blame the accumulation of sugary sweets in the bow for sending imaginations astray; nevertheless hopes were high for the race ahead.
Our bank party of two happily became a three when Alex returned from the ‘real world’ of conference calls, emails, and general importance, but tensions mounted in the de-kitting process. Two, reluctant to remove gloves for the race, was politely reminded that the definition of ‘WELL HARD’ does not accommodate for those with soft hands. As we approached the Plough Reach, mentally prepared to ‘embrace the pain’, Nadia called for the start sequence of five builds and a power ten. With the rate sat at 32, we sliced down the Cam and had a particularly powerful push off the bridge. This was followed by a call for Alex (or words to that effect) which brought us to the finish at Peter’s Post.
Overall an exciting race with results to prove it! W2 came top of their division, managing to beat three men’s boats and two W1’s. Hopes are high for the Getting on Race. WELL HARD girls, regardless of the gloves!
Rowanne Willett, 3
I love that the race itself gets half a paragraph, but the choice of animal gets about a third of the entire piece 🙂