The Cambridge Winter Head is the largest head race on the Cam, attracting entries across 5 divisions and attracting crews from town and college clubs in Cambridge, as well as from across the country and even internationally. This year, Heidelberger Ruderklub 1872 raced again at Winter Head, having developed a partnership with Cantabs over the last few years.
Cantabs crews were successful in a large range of events, with the Senior Women coming home with multiple wins including fastest women’s crew. Preparing for the Fours Head of the River, Elena Williams, Katie Brown, Molly Shaw, Coco Newton and cox Isabel Nimmo put in a great performance in the Women’s S1 4+ to win their event, finishing a minute faster than the 2nd placed crew from City of Cambridge, and beating all W4- in the process.
There was another 4+ win for the Senior Men, with Jeremy Austin, James O’Dell, Finn Grimwood, Jeremy Nous and cox Sara Russo winning the S2 4+ event.
There was also good Fours Head preparation in the women’s quads, where Isabella Mahoney, Natasha Treagust, Clara Lloyd and ChiYing Chen who won the Women’s 4x event, finishing over a minute faster than the 2nd placed crew from Cambridge 99. Four athletes not training for Fours Head also raced, with Ann Laube, Debs Oakley, Ellie Darlington and Georgie Plunkett racing in a scratch crew to win the Women’s Masters A 4x, finishing as the fastest women’s crew of the day.
Another masters win came for the Women’s Masters C 4+ of Hana Lango Allen, Sally Hames, Jenny Bartley, Steph Creasey and cox Isabel Nimmo, preparing for Vets Fours Head. Most of this crew doubled up in an 8+, earning a comfortable victory in the CRA W8+ event. There were other eights wins, including the Hills Road boys in the equivalent men’s CRA 8+ event.
Elsewhere there were victories for Cantabs crews in J14.4x+, J15.4x+, Mx.J16.4x+ and Mx.J15.8x+.
Many thanks to all the Cantabs volunteers who made the racing possible and to Paul Haines for organising the event. Full results can be found here.
