Rowing Report
Any members who were at the club on Sunday experienced the spectacle that is a Harker’s Yard gig event. What was really impressive though was the support given by all other fleets in the club to the Rowing Fleet, from rescue boat crew to launching and recovery teams, to tea, cake and raffle sales people and photographers; a truly inclusive event bringing the club together in the winter and showcasing what a great club we are!
The weather, however, had other ideas and in true fashion as the weekend approached the wind started to blow and there was some doubt as to whether the event would go ahead. Fortunately the wind moved through quicker than had been predicted and the decision was taken to go ahead. Sixteen Harker’s Yard gigs arrived at Marconi’s for Round 9 of the series.
The first race, as always, was the Ladies and our team was Lauren Hughes – stroke, Sophie, Edyta and Jenny with Cap’n Kev as Cox and conditions were definitely the toughest of the day. With 16 gigs jostling for an advantageous position at the pin end of the line and the tide roaring in Elettra, started in clear water at the outer end.. The row to Breezy, the first mark was tough, rowing against the flood but nothing like the next leg across to N° 1, which was likened to ‘rowing through concrete!’ After a tight turn with the bow side trailing oars and stroke side pulling Elettra round they set off towards N° 1 rowing right into the wind.. At times it was hard to row in the rough conditions but they pulled hard keeping ahead of Molliette (UCSC), Regardless (BRatS) and Tyrant (RCRC). Rowing past N° 1 conditions eased but Regardless and Molliette began to gain ground, Another tight turn and the Ladies were on the home straight with the wind behind them. Elettra began to close in on William Rose but couldn’t quite catch them and they finished 7 seconds ahead. As Elettra passed over the line Jenny was heard to exclaim ‘That was a tough row!’
By the time the men’s race was starting, the tide had started to ebb and our regular team of Martin – stroke, Tom, Steve and Tim , coxed by Cap’n Kev targeted the far end of the line, to take advantage of the tide and to gain the inside line for the turn at the first mark off Breezy Point. After a lot of jostling with other boats, which were being blown down the line onto us, we found a slot and were off. We were pleased to see that our closest rivals and team to beat – Regardless, from Stone – had made a poor start having been squeezed out on the line. The run downriver was straightforward now that the weather had calmed down, but with rolling waves you had to concentrate to ensure you had a clean stroke. Although some teams had spread out it was still quite congested at the mark, but thankfully Kev found a route through the chaos and brought us out in 8th place. A strong pull back upriver to No.1 allowed us to gain some places up to 5th. However, Regardless had saved some power for the home run and, despite our best efforts, pulled away from us to finish 6 seconds clear. We come home in a now familiar 6th place, further cementing our overall standing in the series.
For the mixed race, Cap’n Kev took over as stroke with Douglas Hayward, Sandra Clayton, Edyta Hayward, rowing for a second time and Tom C became the Cox. With the falling tide well set in, the RO Pete Clayton set an inverted course, sending us upriver to M. It was a short first leg, and one that the Cox was heard to mutter ‘this is going to be carnage’, or words to that effect. As it was, everyone made it around fairly cleanly, though Kev’s oar became stuck between Elettra’s gunwhale and the M mark confirmed the tide was not to be underestimated. After we rounded M and crossed the river to the next mark, we were right in the thick of it, amongst some of our closest rivals this season – Tyrant, Record Reign (MGRC) and Hunter (SSC). The run down to No.1 didn’t allow for much tactically and the crews had spread out nicely. A tight turn allowed Elettra to round the mark inside Tyrant and it was now a straight pull back across the river and up-tide to the finish. We held off Hunter, but Tyrant managed to pull away from us as we neared the finish line. However, when Tyrant crossed the line they passed the wrong side of the inner distance mark and thus recorded a DNF. In other fortuitous news for team Elettra, Record Reign were given a 2-minute penalty for causing a collision, bumping us up into 12th place overall.
It was a great day’s racing and there have been many favourable comments from the other Harker’s Yard gig clubs and our own club members.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped!
Sandra Clayton
Main photo courtesy of Mervyn Maggs. All others courtesy of Ian Rawlings.
