Category: Races

Reports, outcomes, and photos.

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W2 – Winter Head Race Report

Winter Head felt like an inappropriate name for a race where at least two of the crew were racing in short all-in ones. It’s unseasonably warm and sunny, and we’re feeling strong on the row up to the start… I say row up, a 1 hour delay in marshalling makes it feel more like an excersise in backing it down and trying not to provoke house-boat owners. After an isolated altercation with a man suffering from pride-of-paintwork, we continue the stop/start traipse up to the lock.

The race gets off to a flying start as we power under the motorway bridge after Newnham. Settling into a good rhythm, we start to try and catch up. We make good ground on them around the corners, thanks to some killer lines from Ola in the cox’s seat. The power is there at times, and as we start to flag coming out of ditton, the reach gives us a new lease of life to make for the finish line at the P&E.

We’re still gaining on Newnham, and the boat behind us is no-where to be seen, when suddenly disaster strikes, and we catch a crab. Though it takes us a while to recover (motivated by the cheering from mystery ‘New Hall’ supporters!), we see Clare gaining on us and give it our all, fighting them off with all our might. The determination to push as hard as we can and make up lost time is frankly inspiring, and we sweep under the finish line, completely drained.

Time: 11:42
Position: Joint 213th (overall)
Division Position: 16th (out of 18)

So, all in all, a success for grit and determination, if not for time. Onwards and upwards, we prepare for Fairbairns with everything to prove.

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Winter Head 2011 – W1 Race Report

It’s an absolutely gorgeous and sunny Saturday afternoon – a perfect day for W1’s first race of the term, Winter Head. The 2.5km course covers the river from the motorway bridge clear through to the P&E, a stretch that has seen our crew have some pretty good (the day we managed to get enough clear river to manage a decent head piece) and pretty bad (the incredibly foggy morning we couldn’t sit the boat for love nor money) outings so far this term. All in all, though, we feel we’re in good shape to have a solid showing today.

Though due to race in the 11:40 division, things are running exasperatingly predictably late, and we have to marshall by the Chesterton bridge for a good half hour, keeping our spirits up with banter and Haribo. We give a cheer for our novice crew Athena as they pass us, having just finished their first race in the previous division. Finally, we’re able to move up to the starting station where another round of waiting commences, though this one not nearly as long. We spin and paddle to the starting line, focusing ourselves and setting our platform. As we near the bridge, our cox Chloe calls to begin our rolling start.

Three strong draws and five quick winds get the boat moving smoothly, and we settle into the race. Mark, our coach, can be barely discerned from the bank, shouting for the quick, sharp catches we’ve been working on all term. Despite a few incidents of ropey balance, our rowing feels strong and decently controlled. We manage to maintain our pace throughout, keeping up the power even through the last corners before the reach, a place we often lose our wind. Supporters cheering from the bank (thanks, Amy’s mom!), however, and Chloe’s calls for a power ten (she knows us too well) mean that we push through without any real tapering off. The reach is the only stretch of straight(ish) river on the Cam, so we try to make the most of it, lifting and sending the boat toward the railway bridge. Once out from under it, we know the finish isn’t far, so Chloe calls to empty the tanks, and we gun for the line. The banner passes over our heads, and it’s done. We paddle back to the boathouse, and Mark tells us that, while there are things to improve on (which he always says, no matter how well we do, which is probably why we keep getting better), we had a good race and a good foundation for the upcoming Fairbairns, the big end-of-term race at the beginning of December.

Later that evening at the traditional post-race pub gathering, we keep checking to see if the official race results have been posted. When they finally are, we’re thrilled to find that, with a time of 9:50, we’ve come 10th out of ALL women’s boats, (which includes the Cambridge blues squads, out-of-town university crews, like King’s College London and Imperial, and town crews) and, more importantly and excitingly, 1st in our division and 1st out of all the Cambridge college women’s boats! MECBC owns the river!

Mark’s reaction? “Fastest girls on the river then? It’s about time . . .”

Bring on Fairbairns.

Reana Maier
MECBC W1
Lower Boats Captain 2011-2012

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Winter Head 2011 – results

On Saturday, 19 November, MECBC competed in Winter Head, a competition run by Cantabrigian Rowing Club, which consists of timed 2.5km head races on the Cam River. Entrants included Cambridge University Boat Club crews, Cambridge college boat club crews, crews from universities outside of Cambridge and crews from Cambridge town rowing clubs. This was our first racing event of the term, and we entered four boats: our 1st VIII, 2nd VIII and two novice crews, Calypso and Athena.

Results

Calypso
Time – 12:15
3rd of 7 college women’s boats in beginner’s category

Athena
Time – 12:45
6th of 7 college women’s boats in beginner’s category

W2
Time – 11:42
81st out of ALL women’s boats (111 in total, includes CUW boats, other university senior boats, such as King’s College London and Imperial, and town club boats)

W1
Time – 9:50
10th out of ALL women’s boats (111 in total, includes CUW boats, other university senior boats, such as King’s College London and Imperial, and town club boats)
1st out of all Cambridge college women’s boats

Congratulations to all who raced with us on Saturday! We clearly have a very solid foundation on which to build for future events.

Our next race is Fairbairns, which takes place on the 1st and 2nd of December.

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May Bumps 2011 — Double Blades and Pegasus Cup

MECBC ends this May Bumps with double blades from W1 and W2.

W1 bumped Darwin, Anglia Ruskin, Robinson and Jesus II, finishing 6th in division 2.

W2 bumped Darwin II, Addenbroke’s, Jesus III and St Edmund’s, finishing 16th in division 3.

As such the Club has won the Pegasus Cup this year, sponsored by Milton Brewery.

It has been a great year for MECBC: here are some highlights collected by Eve Bonner. More photos and videos can be found on our gallery and Youtube channel.

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May Bumps 2011 Round-Up

May Bumps 2011 Round-Up

Having written the W1 race reports for the Bumps so far, I couldn’t
help but try to get a final word in now that it’s all over.

It’s a May Bumps for the record books for the Murray Edwards College
Boat Club: eighteen boaties making up two crews, two coaches, a whole
lot of sweets, eight bumps, two row overs, a division jump and two
blades. An epic week.

The work and dedication of the past year, and especially the last
term, have paid off in an impressive way. Not only did we achieve
double blades, we received word today that MECBC has won the Pegasus
Cup, awarded to the most successful boat club in the May Bumps,
beating out 31 other colleges. The strong performances of both our
boats were prominently noted in the media coverage of the Bumps,
bringing long awaited and well-deserved recognition to our club.

On a personal note, it’s difficult to describe what this week has
meant to me, what this term of rowing has meant to me. Joining the
boat club is the best decision I’ve made since I got to Cambridge last
October. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m so grateful
to have been a part of it.

Thank you to all those who came out to the river on the often cloudy
and rainy days of last week to cheer us on. Thank you also for all
the well wishes and congratulations that have followed our amazing
win.

A huge thank you to W2’s coach, Watson, and W1’s coach, Mark, for
their dedication and guidance, without which we would not be
celebrating such a victory.

I want to thank and congratulate all the members of W2, Chloe,
Eleanor, Jeny, Pauline, Amy, Natalie, Katrin, Nidhi and Sally-Anne,
who bounced back from spoons and a broken boat in Lent Bumps to
topping their division and moving up to the next one while powering
their way through to blades in the Mays. A phenomenal job by any
standards.

Last, but never ever least, I want to thank my fellow crew members in
W1, Akiko, Izzi, Ying, Gina, Marina, Liz, Natalie, Holly and Eve, who
subbed in for us on the last day. Rowing with you this term has been
an intense learning experience, one which I have enjoyed more than I
can say. There was never any ego or friction in the boat, just a
genuine interest in making ourselves into the best crew we possibly
could. We have a lot to be proud of.

MECBC is a boat club on the rise. We’ve set an incredibly strong base
on which to build in the coming years, and I look forward to the
progress ahead. See you on the river in Michealmas.

Cheers and boatie love,

Reana
Murray Edwards W1
Lower Boats Captain 2011-2012

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Day 4 of May Bumps 2011 – W1 Race Report

Day 4 of May Bumps 2011 and Bumps Round-Up – W1 Race Report

It’s Saturday, the last day of Bumps. It’s been an amazing week; both
our boats are on course for blades. Just one more bump each, and our
boat club will have a perfect record. No pressure.

The weather is undecided today, cloudy then sunny, a sprinkle of rain
that moves quickly on. As the crew warms up, we try to listen to the
radio for news of our second boat’s progress, but a mixture of poor
reception and the noise of the ergs means we miss the crucial update.
We get the boat out and are preparing to push off, when we finally get
the word. They bumped! Blades for W2! They’re beaming as we pass
them on the river, decked out in greenery, and we can’t help giving
them a raucous cheer.

Now, it’s all up to us. By the time we’re on our way up to the
starting stations, the weather has decided which way it’s going.
Unfortunately, that way is a steadily increasing rain. Today we
marshall under the motorway bridge which gives us some protection from
the rain, but it also means we’re right next to the cannons. The four
minute warning reverberates off the concrete, and I’m getting really
nervous. Jesus II is our target today, and we’re expecting this to be
our most difficult race so far. One minute cannon. Twisty stomach.
Rechecks. The rain has stopped. Push out.

BOOM. We draw out from under the bridge, and our cox, Akiko, calls
for a big push on the legs after the start sequence. It feels as
though the first whistle is forever in coming, but once it does, the
second and third are not far behind. As with yesterday and the day
before, we don’t need to make it past first post corner before we’ve
caught them. We clear the river, and it starts to sink in. Day four
and bump four. We’ve done it – blades! We adorn ourselves in foliage
once again and break out our boat club flag for the victory row home.
More people line the bank than previously in the week, and our
greenery and flag draw cheers and well done’s not only from our
friends in the crowd.

When we get back to the boathouse, champagne, crew photos and the
traditional swim in the Cam follows. We even managed to throw our
coach in. Sucker. The celebrations will continue tonight and
tomorrow morning at our Bumps Breakfast. I think we deserve it.

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Day 3 of May Bumps 2011 – W1 Race Report

Day 3 of May Bumps 2011 – W1 Race Report

The third day of Bumps is windy, cold and wet – a rather miserable day
for mid-June. But Bumps doesn’t stop for something as trivial as
inclement weather, and my crew and I have a boat to chase.

We gather in the boathouse, discussing the weather, the race ahead,
the possibilities for tomorrow. We know that our W2 rowed over at the
top of their division earlier in the afternoon, and we check for
updates on their race to secure a spot in the next division up.
Success! Eager to keep the boat club’s spotless record intact, we get
the boat out and head up to the marshalling station.

The wind has really picked up, and it’s colder than it has been the
last few days. Delays because of a re-row mean an extra long wait,
but eventually we row up to starting stations. We’re getting closer
and closer to starting near the cannon, which means the four minute
warning causes my heart to skip a beat again. Last minute checks.
One minute cannon, countdown and push out.

BOOM. Three strong draws get our start sequence underway, and we’re
winding up to close the distance between us and Robinson quickly. We
get our first whistle just out from under the motorway bridge, which
is followed not long after by two whistles. Two whistles again, and
we push harder. Three, then continuous, then we get the call to hold
it up just before first post. Third bump! Greenery all around.
Though enjoying the cheers and well done’s from the spectators, the
rain has started in earnest, so it’s back to the boathouse as quickly
as possible.

Tomorrow is the last day. If we bump again, we have blades. If not,
we’ve still had a great week, one we can be proud of.

No, forget that. We want blades. Day 4, we’re coming for you.

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W2 May Bumps 2011 Day 2

W2_day2

W2 report, day 2 May bumps

Buoyed by our victory on day 1, and eager to taste success once again, even the drizzling rain could not dampen W2’s spirits on arrival at the boat house. After a long wait marshalling, we arrived at our station. With the rain dried up and the sun shining down on us we were nervous, but ready for good race.
After a strong start, we were rapidly gaining on Addenbrookes. A big push for ten strokes put us hot on their tails, and with whistles blowing in our ears, we knew it couldn’t be too much longer. We kept it strong and together and not much longer than a minute after starting, we’d done it again! Yes W2’s second bump of the week, putting us top of fourth division. As the sandwich boat between two divisions we had to row again in the third division. Feeling a little more apprehensive we resolved to give it our best shot. The aim; bump Newnham, and bump them quick. Alas, it was not to be. Newnham bumped out catching Jesus III very quickly. We pressed on, with Clare Hall and an over bump in our sights. However Clare Hall also bumped out, gaahhhh, meaning a row over for us! We kept up a strong pace and good pressure and valiantly battled on to the finish line.

Tomorrow: we remain at the top of division four so we must row over again, and then aim to bump Jesus III in the third division. Fingers crossed!

Chloe Wallis

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Day 2 of May Bumps 2011 – W1 Race Report

Day 2 of May Bumps – W1 Race Report

With yesterday’s victory still fresh in my mind, I’m cautiously
optimistic. I’m not a terribly superstitious person, but allowing
myself to imagine a second bump this afternoon too confidently seems
like tempting fate. I note with some dismay the gloomy weather,
thinking how miserable it will be to marshall in the rain.

Fortunately, the skies clear somewhat as I listen with friends to
radio commentary for the women’s 4th division in which MECBC’s W2 is
racing. Another terrific performance from them, bumping Addenbrooke’s
with ease, puts them at the top of their division and has us cheering.

The wind picks up a bit, but the rain holds off as W1 departs from the
boathouse to head to the marshalling stations, then up to the lock.
We’re chasing Anglia Ruskin today, and I’m sure they’re intimidated by
our practice starts as they follow us up the river. Yeah.
Intimidated. Not that I actually see their faces or anything because
my concentration is, naturally, in the boat, but I assume.

Four minute cannon scares the bejeezus out of me. Forgot how close we
were to it. One minute cannon, and the countdown starts.

BOOM. Bit of a shaky start, but nothing we can’t smooth out as we
wind up. Today, we actually finish our start sequence before we get
our first whistle. We’re gaining. Single whistles, and the water is
starting to get choppy. Two whistles, followed quickly by three, and
the water is really bouncing us around in the bows. Fortunately, we
didn’t have to cope for long as we catch them at first post. Woo-hoo!
Another bump! We collect and arrange our greenery, and then take
another gratifying victory row home.

Halfway there. Carb up and sleep well, ladies. Day 3 awaits.

Reana Maier

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