Live reporting from HRR 2000.
Photos to complement this reporting are being provided by Ed Hewitt of Row2k fame: visit the gallery on his website to see the crews he snapped.
Current session: Saturday mid-morning.
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11:00 am: Bewl Bridge versus Nereus/Laga in the Queen Mother
Not a close race here, so I'll just update sporadically. The Dutch crew are already up by 3.5 lengths at the quartermile, the first real signal. The commentator has decided Nereus (usually pronounced something like neereeyows by most peole) needs to be called Nerise, sounding more like the spurned wife's name in a deadly US daytime soap. A working steam launch passes the finish, rather an unusual sight, causing drools of envy from the boat buffs in the press box. Meanwhile Nereus/Laga are a considerable distance ahead of Bewl Bridge, who are chonking valiantly along, to no avail. That's a very smooth Dutch quad, who look good in their win.
3:10 pm: Australian Institute of Sport versus Maidenhead and UTRC in the Queen Mother
After the excitement of working out what was going to happen in the previous race, this walkover is giving no surprises, the Australian internationals loping along several lengths up on the domestic crew from the earliest marker. Ironically, given the previous race, we see them cross the line more or less in the middle of the stream, with the English quad also in the middle behind them, but the margin so wide that it really doesn't matter.
3:00 pm: GB lightweights versus Rostock & Heidelberg in the Ladies
Heavyweight Germans against British lighties, the latter on Bucks, which has been disfavoured in the latter stages today. True to form, the Brits rating high and keeping it there, but Rostock pulling away. At the Barrier, the first race to break 1:50 to this point today, 3/4 length to the Germans, after the half-mile a little warning from the umpires to the German U23 crew, and at threequarters of a mile, they have 2/3 length advantage. Upper Thames reach, the Brits still racing high, and they're clawing a smidge back, it's half a length now. Milepost, Germans still steering abysmally, warned again, but the lightweight attack is not enough, back to 3/4 length. Germany now right in the centre of the stream, definitely impeding the British crew, washing them right down, over halfway across the course, less than a length verdict. Over the line, the lightweight crew know it's a problem, but after argument in the press box it emerges that the rules don't allow a crew to appeal for interference unless there's been a clash. The British crew didn't get that badly impeded, even with the Germans in their station, and the umpire decides to confirm a fair race because of this. There's also a rule about the number of times a crew is warned for the same offence, but this didn't apply since at every warning the German crew moved back.
2:50 pm: Joe's Prep USA versus Hampton School in the PE
Waiting for this race to start, and we have now switched to the late-regatta warmup circulation, crews rowing down to the Hole in the Wall on the course itself. There's always a frisson of excitement having to do this, acknowledging your crew has made it to the latter stages of the competition. Plus, of course, the benefit of avoiding drunken cruiser-drivers beyond the booms. OK, the race is off. True to HRR form, the commentator fails to give us anything outside the officialese detail, but by the end of the island, St. Joe's lead Hampton by a smidge. They've got this out to half a length by the next marker, then as they pass 500 metres out, both crews come into their true stride, and it's now a length to the Americans. Up to Fawley, and it's now two lengths with the tourists looking very comfortable, bounding along at 35, Hampton sticking it in at a higher rate in their effort to come back. The margin closes a little at Remenham, but like the last race this statistic hides the truth of an easy race for the leading crew, who are not having to find their top gear yet. Past the penultimate marker, Hampton raising the rate to 38, Joe's still happy at 34, coasting over the line with the gap under a length but totally unconcerned. Oh, and again failing to cheer, though at least they were not as slack as Brock, Canada earlier, who rowed off so far that their oppo couldn't even have reached them with applause if they'd wanted to.
2:40 pm: Cascade Rowing versus Garda Siochana in the Thames
Jumping into live reporting again with a tense scuffle between the Irish police club and more American visitors. Garda are selected this year, and although they never dropped the rate, have pulled steadily away to a length and a half by Fawley. A push by Cascade past Upper Thames reeled them in a little, but Garda were comfortable with the gap, and relaxed a lot in the last third of the race. Coming down the Enclosures now, they're smooth and steady at 35-36, containing Cascade's last dash at 39. The Guards giving the three cheers before the Cascade crew actually reach the line, a length and a half clear.
11:40 am: Cambridge University against Imperial College London in the Visitors
Cambridge quick off the start here, leading Imperial right the way through. Imperial never giving up, though, and despite steering erratically, keep the Blues on their toes all the way up the course. The final sprint, as CUBC eases off with the finish line in sight, brings IC to within 2 lengths: a good effort from the losing crew, but Cambridge were never really worried.
11:30 am: LMBC Cambridge against Brown University USA in the Temple
Brown are looking very strong here, and leading the college boys off the island, they stretch out to two lengths at the Barrier. Time to this point 1:54, which isn't fast in very good conditions, despite a rate of 37 and the better station. Dropping the rate a little after this, Brown keep their margin intact, while LMBC bullet away as hard as they can. Brown's cox needs to sort the steering out a bit: the Americans are not close enough to their strokeside booms to take advantage of the lesser stream, and could be accused of trying to intimidate the outgunned English students. Past Remenham, the lead is now 2.5 lengths, and Brown are comfortable at 33 and rowing well within themselves. Still not a breath of wind, and the water only broken by passing cruisers, whose wash occasionally slides over the booms. Into the Enclosures, and Brown do a dress rehearsal of their final sprint, but only up a few pips, and cross the line nearly four lengths to the good. Yet again (and this is getting very boring, please note my trans-atlantic readers), the visiting crew rows off without cheering: it takes Lady Margaret's good manners to cheer their conquerors before Brown respond. This is a very traditional regatta, and with the one-on-one racing, it behoves all competitors to recognise the effort their opponents have put in.
11:20 am: Searle & Coode versus Stevens & Stevens in the Goblets
As we pick up the commentary, Searle and Coode have led early, and are now several lengths up at the Barrier, rating 32. Going past the farm, the lead is three lengths, the British pair drop their rate again and start to move further away, stretching it to five lengths by Fawley. The Nottingham pair are sliding around in the centre of the course, despite being on the favoured Berkshire station, as Searle & Coode stitch their way steadily along the Bucks station booms. Now they're paddling along the Enclosures, relaxed at 23, and although Nottingham's twins are raising it for the end, they know the rate is lost. Now the GB 2- meet either Yalies or Londoners, the winners of a race to be decided tonight.
3:30 pm: KRS Gent, Belgium versus Norwich RC in the Thames CC
Another tonguetwisting name for the HRR commentator to get his mouth around - they pride themselves on saying all crew's names in full, first when announcing the race just starting, and again when announcing the final result. As we wait for the first news of the race, I can spy trans-Atlantic oarsman Pete Lowe sitting on the booms in a skiff, enjoying the better view of real racing you get away from the posh frocks and fancy blazers in the grandstands. Gent taking half a length off Norwich by the end of the island, and stretching that lead to the Barrier with ease, shifting down a gear into rate-35 cruise-mode without difficulty. This out to 2 lengths as they reach the half-mile, swinging along clearly in control. Now at Remenham, and while Norwich had the cheek to reel the Belgians in a bit, the tourists have pulled out to four lengths now. Passing the final grandstands, Gent are back down to a lazy low rate, and Norwich have inadvisedly moved over to row in their puddles, making things even worse for themselves.
3:26 pm: Wakefield and Hunter (Leander) versus Van Der Linden & Aardewijn (RV Willem III, Amsterdam) in the Double Sculls
Another expected result, the Dutch double having it all their own way despite a spirited attack from the Leander crew. Not much commentary until late in the race, by which time they're in view of the finish, the Dutch boys rowing in the customary orange national strip and barely out of breath. Another good omen for Holland's national football team tonight.
3:17 pm: Greg Searle and Ed Coode (Molesey/Leander) versus Martin Harris and Theo Hudson (LRC) in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls Challenge Cup
No contest here, though the London pair's pedigree is excellent, having been in the LRC eight which won the Thames Challenge Cup two years ago. Over six stone difference between the two crews in weight. Coode and Searle lead off early, and swiftly move into a commanding advantage. With the commentator religiously mispronouncing Ed's surname, they trundle up the course steadily. With the final stretch in view, the press box is buzzing with the question of which blades they're rowing with. "Molesey and Leander - that should be black or cerise", snorts Geoffrey Page. Molesey old boy Gary Herbert, Greg's cox when they won gold in the Olympic 2+ in 1992, enters the box to take a peek. "No idea", he mutters, and then the penny drops - it's Cornish colours, in honour of Ed Coode. "Well rowed Cornwall", comes the comment as they pass the finish line, and someone promptly offers to disqualify the British Olympic pair for rowing in the wrong colours.
3:14 pm: University of London against Columbia University USA in the Visitors' Cup
UL led at the end of the island by five lengths, Columbia having hit the booms. The Brits kept this up to the next signal, and to the Barrier, clearly able to relax and row better now that the pressure was off. Now at Fawley, and we switch to live commentary. UL are still up, and able to row steady and relaxed at a low rate, Columbia still having steering problems. At Remenham, UL's rate is down in the low 20's, Columbia are very near their strokeside boooms and the umpire's launch is tailing them closely, perhaps to be able to rescue. The margin's still huge as the crews pass the Stewards' Enclosure. There won't be much the Londoners' opponents can tell from this race, as the US crew's fate was sealed from their first mistake. "Unlucky guys", commented one UL rower as Columbia crossed the line.
3:10 pm: Virginia Rowing Association versus Nottingham University 'A' in the Temple Challenge Cup
Crews are already half-way up the course, and umpires boats are rapidly trogging downstream from the finish line to get to teh first gap before time runs out and the crews catch up. According to the commentary, Nottingham took a brief lead at the end of the island, and drew it out to half a length by Fawley. They can't break clear though, and it's still half a length as they reach Remenham. At the Mile, Virginia scent their chance, and are pushing back to just a few seats down. Now at the Mile-and-eighth, Nottingham are sprinting to 37-38, Virginia now drop back a bit. At the Grandstands, crowds cheering, Nottingham's sprint has worked, and they are now sure of it, Virginia looking pedestrian, Nottingham smooth and clean. A verdict of 1.25 lengths in the end for the English crew, and a triumph of calm under pressure.
3:00 pm: Wallingford RC versus Thames RC 'A' in the Thames Cup
A cruise for Thames, who were a length up at the Barrier and moved progressively away from then as they went up the course. By Remenham it was 2.75 lengths, but Thames still gave it a good row, rating 35 as Wallingford made the best of it behind them. The Thames crew did slide over to more or less the middle of the course, a bit cheeky considering the margin they were winning by, and it can't have been comfortable for Wallingford floundering in their wake. Not interference, just a little bit rude.
11:37 am: St. Joe's Pres USA versus Westminster School in the PE
My last live reporting race this morning, and Joe's making it very academic. They went off the start like the proverbial sh** off a shovel, and by Fawley lead Westminster by 3 lengths and totally untroubled. No luck this year for the boys in pink, eight pips above their oppo and floundering in their wake. There's obviously a competition to rate as low as possible in the school event - St. Paul's rated 24 in their comfortable win earlier this morning. At the hole in the wall, the Americans have got it lower, and rate 20, counting their strokes as a crew as they cross the finish line. Meanwhile Westminster have vied with Nihon, Japan, and have the vilest pink lycras you have EVER seen. Going offline now, back on later this afternoon.
11:30 am: University of Warwick versus Nereus in the Temple Challenge Cup
Nereus a selected crew in this event, both eights go off at 40, but Nereus lead by half a length at the end of the island. At the Barrier Nereus are down to 34, taking the piss really, with Warwick still doggedly pushing away at 36. By Fawley this is down to 31, and the race is to all intents and purposes over. A crew crosses the course at the mile-and-an-eighth, on their way to the warm-up, and starts the pick drill in the area by the "plebs enclosure". From this distance, Nereus in their trademark "bordeaux and white" look composed and steady, rowing beautifully, blades well to the water, and thoroughly in control. In the Stewards Garden Di Ellis is sitting chatting keenly, shame you can't see the racing from that vantage point. Nereus crossing the line now, obviously a good omen for tonight's Holland-Italy game in Euro-2000. Warwick follow them, give the cheer, Nereus clearly have disgusting manners and don't respond, Warwick have two men in the middle with just about the longest hair at the regatta.
11:20 am: Richard Briscoe versus Simon Goodbrand in the Diamond Challenge Sculls.
At the end of the island, both at 41, Goodbrand leads by a quarter of a length. Then a bit of silence, and at the quartermile he's pushed the lead out a bit. More silence, while an umpire's launch manouevres carefully backwards into its dock to let off Richard Phelps, Rusty Willams and assorted Stewards and supporters. Now at the Barrier, Goodbrand leads by 2.5 lengths, in a time faster than Cobert in the earlier Diamonds race, and is looking comfortable. The wind is slightly tail, but not strong, and occasionally completely dead. Now more than halfway up the course, Goodbrand reduces his rate to a steady 28. The banks in the Stewards are pretty full, the day is cloudy and overcast but quite warm. Even the Bridge Bar is doing great business, though that may be because it's conveniently near the loos too... These scullers seem to be taking a _year_ to get up the course, although it will be hard work out there on the water. The breeze lifts up again, and as Goodbrand nears the finish line, Briscoe lifts his rate once more to finish in style, even if beaten.
11:17 am: Oxford Brookes 'A' versus University of London in the Britannia Cup.
This is a re-run of the 1996 Brit Cup final, won by Brookes, but that year both were selected crews, whereas this time UL are not selected, but Brookes are. However, after blasting off the start, London lead Brookes by a length and a half at the Mile signal. Brookes are rowing neatly, but UL with power, on the Bucks station, and drawing away all the time. Now at the progress boards, Brookes pushing back, but UL know they have it in the bag, and cross the line just under a length to the good, clearly delighted.
11:15 am: Upper Thames versus Birmingham RC in the Wyfolds.
By the end of the island UTRC, a selected crew, had a lead of three feet over the Midlanders, which they extended to half a length soon after and then steadily drew away. As they come towards the Enclosures, UTRC are paddling comfortably at a low rate, very relaxed, while Birmingham continue to push on at race pace. An interestingly lop-sided crew, BRC, with bowside both under 11.5 stone and strokeside both over 14.5 stone.