BBLRC Results 2010

5/6 June - The Metropolitan Regatta

On Saturday our coxed four got through to the final at WIM1 - great stuff especially considering they were actually an WIM3 crew. We had to scratch the final for that race. Then there was some very close racing in the WIM2 coxed fours. Barnes Bridge fighting it out to the very end with 2 crews to qualify, sadly just missed out to some Irish crew (Ach the luck of the Irish)! The eight raced at WIM2 and then WIM1, the WIM2 race they were pipped in the last 500 meters for fourth place. In the WIM1 race the eight held their own fighting it out with Newcastle for fourth place again sadly just missed. The quad had a super sub in at last minute at came third in their Senior race, not too sure how they did in the WIM1 race - it may have even been the other way round.

So Sunday... The coxed four go through to the IM2 final and came fourth which is great preparation for Henley.  Meanwhile the eight was rowing with the full Henley crew and had a great row this time beating Newcastle. The Vet eight got through to final of the IM1 eights and came third in the final.

Must also say a great big thank you to Katie Coyle who stepped into number 7 seat on Saturday

5/6 June - Peterborough Spring Regatta

Thanks to Fiona for the race report

Weekend started earlier for some than others with Bizzie getting an early morning coxing session in for the boys in the IM3+ but unfortunately they didn't win. Watched the Cygnet boys in action again for the N8+...again no win but no time for commiserations as Rob had to sprint out of their boat into ours cos we were next up in the IM3 WN8+(Sharon, Kate, Sue E, Rachel, me, Liz, Bizzie Nat). Had a really good race though didn't make it through - was pretty close with us maintaining overlap all the way to the finish line - Rob did a sterling job coxing us too!
Next up for us was the WN8+, change of cox to the lovely Laurent...again really close race with us pushing hard all the way down the course but unfortunately wasn't enough to see us through. Everyone worked really hard though.....Liz even managed to break her shoes! Gledders now has a sparkly new pair of Janousek shoes - a massive thanks needs to go to Peterborough City's boatman Steve who in our hour of need managed to find and help me fit a new pair of shoes for Gledders.....and bless him he let us keep them for free too!!
Managed to get a cheeky practice paddle in for the WN4+ in preparation for Sunday.....beautiful stretch of river...was all very calm and serene gliding down with the swans...until crew members with eyes not in the boat spotted other people doing naughty thing in the bushes.....don't think they realised they could be seen by anyone - not that they noticed anyway...was v funny!
Rest of the afternoon was spent watching racing on the lakeside with Pimms and a bit of a picnic and was all v relaxed until the heavens opened later that evening. Cue much screaming from all and running for cover. Had a brief look at the rowing club party, but was overrun with juniors so headed to the pub. All was reasonably peaceful until the arrival of some of the Cygnets......deciding that 14 shots of Jagermeister was a great idea....off they went to the bar and were not impressed to discover that the pub didn't do shots. The offer of a nice winelist didn't go down too well and they retreated back to the clubhouse to find some Jagermeister. BBLRC had a couple of drinks and then all headed off to bed well before midnight.
More than a few sore heads from the boys in the morning.....and their early races didn't do much to help! Again, no wins for the boys but they stuck about to cheer us (Sharon, Kate, me and Bizzie) on in the WN4+ heat. Were up against Peterborough B and Parr Priory and after a rather shaky start, powered down the course to claim 2nd place and through to the final. Watched the second heat come down shortly after and that was really tight too....after the results were up we discovered that there were only 3 seconds separating all the crews going through to the final so knew it was going to be close.
Next up was the first of the mixed 4's who rowed well in their heat with Tara and Alex as bow pair, but wasn't enough to get them into the final (the other mixed 4 got drawn straight into the final).
The WN4+ final was next to go and as we were rowing up the course the heavens opened again and it started to absolutely pour down with rain....reminded us of being on the Tideway!! Anyway - lined up on the start - marshalls checked if we minded going early cos it was hammering down and next thing we knew we were off! Was a really really close race.....according to HAB's on the side we were about 2 meters down with 100m to go. Laurent's calls of 'empty ze tanks ladeeyz empty ze tanks' must have done the trick though cos next thing we were over the line and waiting for the officials to confirm the result. Prob sat there for a good minute or so before they confirmed it - seemed like forever but eventually - BBLRC win! Turned out there was only 1.5secs separating all 4 crews.
Laurent got the obligatory dunking......bless him came up looking like an extra from swamp thing - was covered in weed!! Pots etc had to wait though as had another mixed 4 and then the WN8+ to go.
Mixed 4 final saw Liz and Heidi in action with Rob and Laurent....and then not much time to rest before the last race of the day - the WN8+ final (Sharon, Kate, me, Alex, Tara, Heidi, Liz, Bizzie). We had a good race again - finished about a length and a half down on the winners so not too bad at all!
All in a great weekend - had a brilliant time!!

Check out the photos

22 May 2010 - The Vets make a splash at Lucerne

Thanks to Hilary for the race report

This race was the first to be held on the Rotsee (the ‘lake of the gods’) – outside of the World Cup and Swiss Championships – and so the first opportunity for foreign club crews to race on what international rowers will tell you is their favourite rowing course in the world (when you the the lake – which is 2050 metres long and 8 rowing lanes wide, with trees and mountains ensuring shelter and fair racing, cowbells chiming at the start and snow capped mountains towering over the finish – it’s not hard to see why).

Along with a men’s quad from Sons of the Thames and a few German crews we were the only foreigners there. I’m sure once word gets out there will be many more next year.

Our crew was 6 of our Head Crew without Zoe and Ali who couldn’t make it. We drafted in Sanne from Sons of the Thames (to whom the invitation and offer to loan boats was given by Belvoir and hi-jacked by me in the Sons bar) and Helen from MAA who has raced internationally with Bev.

We raced in both the quad and the eight. We had to race open as there was no status or masters categories. The standard of sculling was scarily high, while the Belvoir 8 that came 5th in the Women’s Head beat us easily both days. We were very pleased to get second and a medal in the 8 on Sunday!

On Monday we did what all rowers do on a day off – we declined the cable car up the mountain and instead hiked up to look down from 7000ft onto Lake Lucerne.

Doesn't look like water in front of Jo!!

Some more beautiful photos here : http://gallery.me.com/thirkej/100975
 

28 March 2010 - Veterans Head

We had two crews entered on Sunday - and we had some excellent results with the first Vets boat coming in at a staggering 6th overall - bearing in mind that they were up against women's / men's and mixed crews - their time was 13.52,28 - big round of applause to Hilary, Lesley, Jo, Bev, Zoe, Ali, Rachel, Alice and their starring cox Peter. The second Vets crew came 146th overall and 3rd in their category (out of 8) which is brilliant and their time was 15.54.14 so well done to Dave, Sue E, Sara, Marion, Rachel H, Fiona, Sarah R, Stephanie, Julia.

13 March 2010 - Womens Eights Head of the River Race

Despite my best roving reporter endeavours I wasn't able to be in all of the boats to provide you accurate stroke by stroke reports - however thanks to Zoe and Poppy for adding some words to the photos.
 

Vet B Boat...... something a little bit special - (Lance, Hilary, Lesley, Jo, Bev, Zoe, Ali, Rachel, Alice) finishing 23rd with a time of 19.43.34   The Vet-B crew had a very successful row - exceeding many of the crew's expectations by finishing 23rd overall!  With a brilliant race plan in place were able to handle the slightly bumpy conditions and keep strong in the difficult patches.  The course was navigated expertly by Lance who only had to scream at one other crew to get out of our way. With a strong finish, we were confident that we'd done the best we could and so the result of winning the Vet's Pennant was a wonderful reward. The bonus is that we now have the course record for a Vet boat, slicing half a second off the previous record (thanks...we'll take that!).

BBLRC (Snr 2) - (Alex, Sarah D, Sara, Becky, Helena, Poppy, Marion, Suzannah, Julia) finishing 161 with a time of 21.29.91 We had a more civilised start to the race, not boating till the top two BB boats had passed. With regret, the lovely Ms Mullan (struck down with an evil bug) was left on the bank and super-sub Marion (who thankfully never leaves London on race day) bravely took her place.  Well, there's nothing like knowing that the party's about to start without you to get you down the course and the late start definitely helped gain an extra few seconds... A snappy row to the start, some slick marshalling by the newly reclaimed cox Alex, a fast turn and the crew were on their way with stroke Davies (refusing to wear the wehorr pink buff - something about a clash with the hair) setting a perfect rhythm. Well into their stride as they passed under Barnes Bridge the crew responded to the home crowd and had passed two boats by the time they approached Chiswick pier. A strong race ensued, the race plan definitely worked and all crew members felt it was one of their best rows together. A highlight was the tussle with crew 225 who began to overtake at Hammersmith bridge. Alex called a push and to her delight the crew responded. Her ensuing cries of ' Well done ladies. We're holding onto their cox. Don't let go!' even raised a few smiles. Crew 225 finally slipped away at Barn Elms but a strong finish followed and a happy crew crossed the line (albeit with a bit of blood and vomit from middle four!). Thanks to the lovely Alex for stepping back into the cox's seat at the last minute - she did an amazing job.

BBLRC (Snr 1) - (Dave, Sarah C, Jenny, MT, Charlotte, Katy B, Jo M, Lucy, Katie C) finishing 61st with a time of 20.28.68 We faffed, we boated, coxbox broke, we turned got new cox box. Drifted to start. Superb mess up of turning from a boat in front which created a lovely gap between them and the next boat putting us all back a bit. We started strong, at our settle already had our bow ball on the stern of the boat in front. Powered on through by time got to Barnes Bridge there was easily a boat length between the boat we just passed and us. This point we were taking the second boat. Got to Chiswick eyot and have a plethora of boats to overtake which was easily done with a few power 5's to get us clear. Shot through Hammersmith Bridge, call of new race from Dave and everyone sat up to be clear of all boats. We were now in the gap created by the boat at the started messing up their turn. Pain was starting to hit but the feeling of a great row was still stronger. All of a sudden the finish appeared and the call to take it up was given and up it went, then the call to take it home was given, then I cant remember anything else other than bum/ thigh and inside forearm pain..... Memory comes back under Putney rail bridge, everyone happy! Rowed home in record time - boat even balanced on row home. Everyone into showers, last of hot water was probably had then into bar where everything becomes hazy. Although I am told there was a member of the crew who had a "nap" in the ladies loo.

Novice - (Sue G, Natalie, Kate S, Sue E, Rachel H, Fiona, Catherine, Sharon, Bizzie) finishing 244 with a time of 22.28.01 Like the Snr 2 boat the novice crew also had a last minute change of crew due to Leonie having a motorbike accident on the Thursday before the race - Thankfully she is alright and will be back with us in 2 weeks and in the meantime we were lucky to have Fiona who was freshly back from her holiday in the USA and was more than happy to hop into the boat.  We had a strong start and quickly created a good gap between us and the crew immediately behind us, which meant that we just had to focus on the IM2 and IM3 boats that were all around us - we used those boats well and held our position, and finished strongly - and somewhat loudly with most of the crew letting out quite a few grunts during the last few minutes of the race.  However, everyone finished happy they had taken part and even happier they wouldn't have to do it again for another year!!

and not forgetting..... Vet E Boat  - needless to say any successful crew needs to have a BBLRC element, and the Vets crew that came second overall was no different finishing 217 in an adjusted time of 20:07:10  Seat 7 - Jackie and Seat 6 - Joy

28 February 2010 - Womens & Juniors Hammersmith Head

Despite the threat of the stormy weather all week, Sunday brought with it a much calmer wind and there was even a bit of sun!!

Some great patches of rowing were reported (also some dodgy patches), some areas to work on coming up to the Eights head which is only 2 weeks away!!

The results are as follows
IM1 8+ (Lance, Hilary, Lesley, Rachel, Bev, Zoe, Ally, Sally, Alice) overall placing was 22 and came 2nd in category
IM2 8+ (Caroline, Sarah C, Jenny, MT, Charlotte S, Katy B, Jo M, Lucy, Katie C) overall placing 33 and came 4th in category
IM2 8+ (Dustin, Sarah D, Sara, Becky, Ciara, Poppy, Helena, Suzannah, Julia) overall placing 50 and came 9th in category
Nov 8+ (Sue G, Natalie, Leonie, Sue E, Rachel, Bizzie, Catherine, Sharon, Kate S) overall placing 52 and came 3rd in category

30 January 2010 - Quintin Head

There was a definite air of excitement in the Barnes Bridge changing room this morning as the 3 BBLRC crews got ready for their first race of the 2010 calendar.  The 3 crews were rowing in the Novice, IM2, and IM1 categories.

The conditions were pretty good for racing and after some argy bargy on the slipway whilst queuing to get on the water, all of the crews happily made their way up to the start.  The marshalling before the race as always created some fun for the coxes, with one boat asking me if I knew what I was doing?  The cheek!  Followed by the cox of the Thames Novice crew giving me helpful hints on how I should position my boat - but we showed them.

The results speak for themselves, we had a great day!!  Plus we have the first Pennant of the year to display in the Bar

Veterans                                                                                                                                              Seniors

Novices Category winners!!  If only they know at this point how tired they would be in another 14 minutes

After race getting the boat out - this was the hardest manoeuvre of the whole day!

The obligatory winners shots - Sharon wasn't too keen about hers - on the other hand you have

Kate Sargent with 2 glasses!