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Boat Club Cruise to Victory
The Boat Club confirmed its place at the top of university rowing last
week at the British University Sports Association Head of the River Race.
The men’s first and second eight won the championship and junior eights
events respectively in a display of sheer domination.
Graeme Harrington, George Whittaker, Robin Nicholson, James Fox, Ed
Johnson, Jimmy Wells, Angus Rivers and cox Seb Pearce of the first eight
rowed hard over the 4500m course on the River Trent in Nottingham. This
clinched their victory, producing a time eleven seconds faster than their
nearest rivals, Cambridge Lightweights.
Not to be eclipsed by the first eight’s victory, the second eight of
George Adams, Chris Archer, Chris Pollock, Garran Jenkins, Steve Stuart,
Andy Wilkinson, Stu Larner, Pete Houlleberg and cox Ali Williams produced
an equally tough performance to bring home the men’s junior eights
pennant.
Imperial’s top crew, containing Olympic champions Steve Trapmore and
Kieran West, GB internationals Dan Ouseley and Toby Wallace, ex-Australian
international Richard Wearne, Irish international Gearoid Towey, two-times
Henley winner Dave Gillard, IC captain George Whittaker and GB cox James
Haddow raced against the Cambridge boat race crew last weekend. Imperial,
who formed on the day for a friendly match against the blue boat of
Cambridge, produced a performance that pushed Cambridge to their limit.
The blue boat showed determination during the three pieces, but also
displayed certain unease at being alongside another crew of comparable
speed. Imperial, although beaten two to one, came away with positive hopes
for the forthcoming Head of the River Race at which last year they came
third out of 420.
The novice squad meanwhile, enjoyed success in Brugge, Belgium, with
the men’s novice eight winning the under-23 event medal. Mikel
Kibalchenro, Ian Tong, Simon Rees, Will Crowcrumbe, Phil Auraam, John
Elliot, Richard Webley, James Pisko and cox Emma Channing showed a good
improvement since their victory in the Allom cup last December, producing
a time over the 4500m course that was two seconds slower than the Belgium
junior international eight. The women’s novice eight came second in their
event, but were pleased with their performance that closed the gap on some
senior crews by almost half. Mason commented, “It’s impressive when you
think that 14 out of 16 rowers who competed had only started rowing in
October.”
The women’s squad also had a good start to the head season by winning
senior coxed fours at Henley Four’s head of the river. Ali Elsey, Sam
Musgrave, Catherine Piltcher, Kathy Burgoine, and cox Seb Pearce overtook
two crews as they raced up the 3000m course before clocking a time that
beat second place Furnival Sculling Club by a massive 16 seconds. Victory
was again enjoyed in Brugge when the women’s first eight won the open
event. Although the field was weak, good experience was gained for the
forthcoming Women’s Head of the River Race, which takes place this
Saturday at 2pm on the Thames from Mortlake to Putney. Supporters are
welcome on the Putney Embankment to help cheer on the crews.
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