Dear all
Win at Women’s Henley!
I’m absolutely delighted to be able to announce that BBLRC won the Club Intermediate Coxed Four at Women’s Henley.
What a great weekend for the coach and crew who were presented with their trophy and medals by Sir Steve Redgrave, see pic on the new website (!) https://www.bblrc.co.uk//. The ladies convincingly won in quarters against Birmingham, followed by semi-finals against season rivals Royal Chester. Well done from a proud (and slightly tearful Captain) who watched on as the crew powered through winning Easily against MAA in the final.
Also racing at Henley were lightweight double and a second coxed four. As many of you involved in WHR will know, the weather caused a great deal of extra work for the organisers, with racing having to be re-timetabled a number of times. Racing for the Fours started on Friday with the time trials. The weather being so unpredictable our girls were challenged having to start the race (early, without a warm up) into monsoon like conditions. In true UK style the weather blew over and left calmer conditions for the later crews or those racing who’s names were at the end of the alphabet…
This year the time trials reduced the crews to eight, rather than sixteen and so straight to quarter finals. Our second crew were 15th in the time trails, in other years they definitely would have made the heats and had some side by side racing. Well done to the Four and special thanks to Kitty, our cox from Oxford Uni who’s followed us around the country over the last few months.
Smaller boats were particularly challenged with the weather, especially those with only lightweight crews! The Katy’s made the time trial to the top eight boats, to then be beaten by MAA in the quarter finals.
Further pictures and details of the day will be posted on the website soon.
More thank you’s
Due to the weather limited racking was available on the Hillside a fair trek away from the boating areas. A sincere thank you to the Sly’s who kindly opened up their garden to create our very own private racking area and facilities during WHR – so saving the legs of our crews and creating a relaxing haven between races.
Finally thank you to Jo Byrne who has tirelessly coached and mentored the crews this year and many before my time. Jo has decided to hang up her stop watch and concentrate on life outside of rowing. What a weekend to end on. Jo will be sorely missed by the club and crews; we’ll miss the sight of that red puffer on the tideway. We will be organising a suitable send off for Jo alongside celebration for one of the most successful seasons. Details to follow shortly.
Phew! Long one from me today…
Sarah