The weekend before Easter saw both the men’s Head of the River Race (HoRR) and the Vesta Veterans’ Head of the River Race (Vets’ Head) taking place over the 4¼ mile Thames Championship Course from Mortlake to Putney (i.e. the Boat Race course in reverse). Unusually, the Vets’ Head took place on Saturday, ahead of the HoRR on Sunday. Cantabs had three crews competing in Vet’s Head:
- Racks Out – Women’s Masters C Novices
- Poachers – Masters C
- Combined Masters – Masters D
Joe Ourroussoff, who organised the Combined crew, and towed the trailer, sent this report:
Organising the crew I had forgotten what a pain organising an 8 is. Eventually, after a number of last minute changes I was after 1 bowsider. After an enormous flail I eventually decided to do it myself. After not rowing in sweep boats for spinal reasons, this would be my first tideway in a large number of years.After a satnav white knuckle tour of Hammersmith’s narrower streets (thanks Clive for being my co-driver) we arrived at Furnivall gardens. Fortunately James Collier had managed to convince a parks policeman to open the gate so we could boat in the actual gardens rather than the street which was the word from Furnivall SC. All very relaxed and calm compared to the main head with only 4 boats boating from Furnivall. Once on the water the usual fear on encountering big waves, wash river size etc. Basically small river bumpkins on the tideway. It was then our cox (Bee May, ex of Cantabs , now studying in London and a tideway native cox) showed her skill by quoting clause and sub-clause to various marshalling boats. We therefore arrived at the start in a calmer state than we would have. Off the start at about 29 and we immediately got into a battle with Monmouth who pushed us along until about Hammersmith. In my position at 3 it all looked pretty good, with No 4 (new man Mike Wilson) responding to my annoying in race coaching. I seemed to be able to remember how to sweep, and for the first part the rythm was powerful and consistent. After Marlow passed us we sagged a bit, and it felt a bit heavy and laboured in the post Hammersmith awful long part. We had a big 5-way group (lots of cox shouting) which helped a bit then we finally had a finish-line battle with Broxbourne. All had rowed very well considering our last minute nature. Bee steered a faultless course.Off the water and into the Dove for a few pints. Tragically I had to drive back, my teeth grinding slightly as I pictured the convivial drinking taking place by the people going back on the bus [Nick S organised a coach to the event which made a huge amount of sense].All enjoyed themselves greatly and a great event. Like 8s head but less insane. I really enjoyed my first tideway in ages, and was not completely crippled after either.The result was 85, and fastest Cambridge masters crew, beating Champs which no doubt pleased our ex Champs component. More importantly to me it proved that a cross Cantabs masters crew can work well.Crew: c. Bee May, 8 David Richardson, 7 James Collier, 6 Bill Shaefer, 5 Pete Brokes, 4 Mike Wilson, 3 Joe Ouroussoff, 2 Phil Gunning, 1 James Howarth
Poachers came 156th and Racks Out 191st overall (photos below):
Well done to all three Cantabs masters/vets crews who raced!
