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Emma Sprints - WNA

Posted: Sunday 22 November 2009, 11:00PM by Jeremy Coulon

Results:

1st round: beat Emma NW1 by about 450 metres

Quarter-final: beat LMBC NW2 by just over half a length

Semi-final: controversially beat Peterhouse NW1 by the narrowest of margins

Final: beaten by Magdalene NW1 by one length.

Our first race of the term, and the rainbow coloured Women's Novice A (nicknamed 'Long and Strong' after one of the cox's calls in an early outing) had good spirits for the day ahead. We'd already looked at the Queen's Ergs results, and were reasonably confident for the first few races, but knew there was tough competition ahead - and were wary of the predicted 40 mph gusts (a couple of divisions later Emma Sprints was cancelled because of the horrible weather).

Our first opposition was against the home team, Emma NW1. Unfortunately, Emma weren't pointing straight at the start, and so ended up in the bank after about five strokes - so we didn't really have a race on our hands, and wound down soon after our start. When crossing the finish line Emma weren't even in sight - victory to Sidney!

Our next opponents were LMBC NW2 (sadly not Clare Hall W1, who we were almost up against, and who were also dressed as a rainbow). They started about a canvas in front, and for a while they were leading, but WNA ground them down and after about 300 metres were in front, and gaining each stroke. We ended up winning by just over half a length, but it was good having some real competition.

The semi-final saw us come up against Peterhouse W1. They started about a quarter length ahead (which the marshall by the start noted), but slowly WNA started creeping up on them, until about halfway we were just in lead. Unfortunately, the quick succession of races was taking it's toll on the rowers, and Peterhouse started creeping back in front, while the clouds opened and it started drizzling.. We crossed the finish line with Peterhouse clearly in front, and thought we'd lost - but no! The marshall told us that because they started a quarter length in front of us, and we'd reduced their lead to about a canvas, we were declared the winners - we were through to the final!

It was starting to pour down with rain as we spun for the final, and we wanted to get back home as soon as possible. Magdalene had comfortably won their previous race, so were clearly going to put up a good fight..

After a slightly better start, Magdalene took the lead, but WNA managed to prevent them gaining much more until disaster struck about halfway through - one of our seats fell off! With only seven rowers able to row properly, Magdalene stormed off to victory by about a length - very well done to them! We were ecstatic to come second though - and it gives us a benchmark to beat for future races! :D

Well done to all the crews we raced, and Emma for organising the event - but mainly to Sidney Women's Novice A for putting in everything and getting a great result, and surviving the horrifically wet row home.

Emma Sprints

Posted: Monday 23 November 2009, 11:37PM by Lisa Meegan

Sunday's Emma Sprints brought mixed emotions for SSBC's novice crews on an incredibly windy day in Cambridge.

Racing in the day's first division were WNA and WNB. Unfortunately, the wind was to affect WNB's race, and after a collision near the start they were beaten in the first round by Queens'. However, WNA built on a strong Queens' Ergs performance and showed their promise for the upcoming Clare Novices Regatta and Fairbairn Cup races by beating Emma NW1, LMBC NW2 and Peterhouse NW1 on the way to the final against Magdalene NW1. Magdalene were a strong crew, but Sidney held their ground until disaster struck about halfway through the race when one of the girls lost her seat. With only seven rowers, WNA were unable to keep the pace, losing by around a length. However the girls did incredibly well to reach the final and should be very proud of their efforts!

Sadly, following this division it was decided that conditions on the river were too bad for races to be held safely, and the remaining divisions were cancelled before WNC and MNB could race.