October was a busy month for racing and various Cantabs crews had successes to report every weekend.
The first weekend in October brought the Rob Roy Small Boats Head, in which there were 17 Cantabs entries, across 1x, 2x and 2-. Whilst many rowers were seeking simply to gain experience in small boats racing, there were wins for David Richardson (MasD.1x CRA), Andrew Morley and Nicola Pearson (Mixed.MasC/D.2x CRA), juniors Lilith Scott and Freya Coetzee-Clark Cantabs (W.IM3.2x CRA) and Sue Hakenbeck (W.Nov.1x CRA).
The following weekend, some of the men’s and women’s senior squads went to the Bedford Autumn Fours & Small Boats Head. The men entered two events (IM1.4+ and IM1.4-), winning both, with the IM1.4- finishing as the second fastest crew in all boat classes. The women entered W.IM3.4+ and won, helping to make the excursion in very wet conditions seem worthwhile!
Juniors Millie Perrin and Eve Beere spent the day in London at Pairs Head and raced with aplomb on the Tideway course to finish second in the W.J18.2- category, a mere 0.43s behind the winners! Some photos here.
Eleven Cantabs crews raced in the Rob Roy Autumn Head on 19th October. The Senior Women’s squad’s W.IM2.4+ crews were the two fastest womens IVs of the day and there were category wins for juniors in W.Nov.4x and J15.4x+.
On the same weekend, the Senior Men’s 4- raced at the British Championships in Nottingham. They placed 31st out of 40 entries but won the F-Final, improving on their time-trial position and beating three decent Molesey crews. The winning crew contained half of the GB eight that won gold at the World Championships earlier in the year and overall the event provided good experience against some very strong opposition.
On the last weekend of the month, there was the opportunity for racing experience over longer distances than the Cam can offer. Six Cantabs crews raced at Huntingdon Head, where the Senior Women won both the W.IM2.4+ & the W.IM3.4+ categories.
Senior Women Coxed Fours at Huntingdon Head
The Senior Men went slightly further afield and braved some rough conditions in Henley at the Upper Thames Fours and Small Boats Head. After some drop-outs due to injuries, four crews raced; the highlight was a win for the IM1 4-, which was a good result in a high quality event. Photos are online here.
