huzzah!

my boat won trial eights! ... sort of.  We actually got disqualified, so we didnt win, despite crossing the line first.  Trial eights, where CUBC sets two even eights to scrimmage on the boatrace course in London, is surprisingly competitive and realistic in its simulation of the actual Cambridge-Oxford boatrace.  The crews train and meet in seperate but adjacent boathouses in the days preceeding the race.  The race is run with the umpire who will run the boatrace in March.  Before the race, there was some serious tension and nervousness.  It really felt like the real thing.

I think it is fair to say that the other boat were the favorites coming into the race.  Our lineup had been shifting around all week due to injuries and illness.  Also, in 1 min pieces earlier in the week, my boat had gotten beaten pretty soundly (albeit it was missing me and Tom Ransley, the caveman in seven seat).  I was put in stroke seat two days before the race.  We had struggled in our practice starts, and spirits were not buoyant in my boat.

We came off the line roughly even with the other boat, which was something of a pleasant surprise, given our struggles with starts.  About 40 seconds in, they caught some wake which magically avoided our boat, giving us about two seats.  This advantage gave us some confidence, which translated into a clean smooth rhythm at around a 34.  The other boat was about 2 beats up on us on the rate, and I could tell they were working a lot harder than we were to keep pace.  A small bend in the course gave us another 3 or 4 seats, and the other boat became a little frantic as we came to the enormous Surrey bend, which favored their boat.  Coming under the Hammersmith Bridge, we were sitting rhythmically about 6 seats up, the perfect position for a crew on our station.  Our coxswain was steering a pretty aggressive line, and accordingly got a warning from the umpire.  Shortly after that, our oars began to clash.  This wasnt some splashing or clashing with the tips of the blades, but instead was involved full-on impacts between the loom of my blade with the loom of their 2 seat.  

Next thing I knew, my blade was flying out of my hands, towards the stern of the boat, unattached to anything.  My oarlock had broken open, releasing my oar to the wilds of the Thames.  Somehow my coxswain managed to snag my oar before it floated out of reach.  It took me a full 40 seconds to get my blade back in, and the other boat walked about 8 seats.   We started rowing again, but by that time they had decided to restart the race (roughly) level.  I'm convinced that if we had continued the race, my boat could have won, and certainly would have made a race of it.  In my defense, I note that I did not catch a crab, and it really was an equipment failure.  I'm not sure there is anything I could have done differently to change the outcome.  

After the restart, we slowly chunked our way through the other boat seat by seat with a long rhythm.  We managed to get about a length up by Barnes Bridge, and used the final bend in our favor to extend our lead to 3 lengths.  

All in all it was some good racing, and it is exciting that Cambridge can put out two fast eights.  A number of guys commented that these 8s felt as fast as some international eights they have been in.  I think the boys are feeling encouraged about our chances in March.  It will be a good race.

here are some pictures I stole from the internet, enjoy: