After coming second in our division of Champs Head the weekend before, we were ready to test ourselves (and our new bucket-rig) out in regatta-style racing….
First in our sights was Clare W2. Nadia had her work cut out for her keeping us lined up in the windy conditions, but eventually the starting marshal was satisfied. “Attention go!” The wonderfully loud cheers from W3 (lining up behind us for their race) sent us off into our start sequence as we pushed away from the start. By the end of the power-10 we were half a boat length ahead. Clear water followed soon after and the winning margin was officially recorded as “easily”.
Through to the semis, we knew Wolfson W1 was going to be a much tougher test. They’d won the division above ours at Champs Head (beating our own W1) and their first opponent in this regatta had scratched. But if they thought we were going to rollover as easily as their coach was suggesting, they had a shock coming. Both crews pushed off hard, but after the start W2 crept slightly ahead and held that position. From here it was a real tooth and nail fight down the length of the Reach. As our bank party and cox competed over who could yell loudest at Wolfson to keep their line, they pushed in so close that it was inevitable that either bowside would hit the bank or strokeside would clash blades. With Nadia holding us off the bank, it was the latter. Wolfson were then in a position to pull free, take the inside corner and come out victors by half a length. A protest was formally lodged, but in the end the result held.
Though on paper we may not have won on this day, Murray Edwards W2 had proved that we are a crew not to be underestimated. So many thanks to Nadia, Reana and Jess for subbing in and bring on bumps!
Emma Heydon