Race Report - Worcester, 2nd August 2009

The Runners and Riders

Premier Teams	Standard Teams
Amathus BA Bristol Henley Kingston Thames Raging Thames Taniwas Typhoon Tigers	Amathus Bees Exe-Calibre Kingston Pretenders Notts Anaconda Notts Anaconda Too Pershore Phoenix Typhoon Tiger Fury Seclow 100 Worcester Worcester Dragonflies Wraysbury

The Report

This was only the second race this season where we had a full Bristol Team and luckily we had baptised a few of the team at Preston a week earlier when we used the guarantee of 5th place as a training session for our race virgins.  It was time well spent.

Everyone arrived on time (except Killer who made all sorts of excuses – we are beginning to worry about his other lives, farming, band, and dressing up, as well as his weird sports that involve vinegar and glass!!) – Enough said.

There was as usual a good atmosphere within the team laughing joking and a determination to do our best.  It’s always nice to meet up with friends and Worcester always provides that friendly sociable atmosphere – it was great to see Polly Ward again and of course the now famous barbecue – Bristol taking advantage of the bacon rolls.

We assisted carrying and launching Exe-Calibre’s boat which helped us to gain valuable knowledge of how to negotiate the narrow and steep access route to the river we only managed to trap one of our team between the boat and the wall and then we did the same again for both BA boats and Secklow’s boat.

200 metres racing

The first race of the day pitched us against Notts Anaconda Too and our closest friends and old rivals BA who this time were without our secret weapon Ben, who we loaned to BA at Preston.

Watching the earlier races showed that there wasn’t much in it and the racing was going to be close.  We were in lane 3 – all boats came up to the line and held on the line by paddling backwards and then we were off, so was I the first powerful strokes at the start pushed me back off the seat and then we were accelerating as stroke it wasn’t good news for me trying to get back on the seat and regain composure, in the process I took Bharti’s legs from under her and both of us continued paddle but before we could settle the race was over – beaten by BA but a close second and despite the mayhem at the front of the boat caused by yours truly we had a reasonable time. 

In the second race we were pitched against Henley and Worcester and this was going to be tough based on the previous qualifying.  This time I was prepared I had a sticky seat and was confident I wouldn’t repeat the disruption of the first race.  Again back paddling at the start and we were off through the gears and a nice controlled race a very close finish and the long wait for the times to be relayed – Worcester by a nose!  We didn’t make the Major Final but we were still in the Minor Final with all to play for.

The final 200 race saw us racing BA and Secklow what a combination the two clubs that have pushed or pipped us during the whole season.  We were now used to the back paddling and then the quick start – we had another flying start and maintained the narrow lead all the way through to the end beating BA by 4 tenths of a second!  With Worcester in the Major final (showing signs this year of the Worcester of old) that win puts us third in the Premier 200 results for the day.  A well satisfied crew who by now have relaxed and are enjoying the paddling with the confidence of winning the close races beginning to come to the surface.

500 metres

A quick snack and a gulp of energy drink and we were back on the water ever fearful of getting a time penalty.  We were up at the start with plenty of time to spare and so paddled around and relaxed for once we were dry and comfortable the weather being kind to us for a change – Preston was so wet and cold!

Based on the times for the 200 event we had earned the middle lane and a clear view of the finish.  Either side we had Wraysbury and Raging who we thought would push us.  A good start and we surged ahead (best start of the day) we were pulling some water today and it felt really good.  By halfway I was surprised that we had clear water and that somewhat confused us we waited for a shout but nothing came (we had no cox system) – I thought we might as well go for it so gave the shout to push on but there was no response then it filtered through that we were only supposed to be cruising as there was no challenge.  I later found out that at the start Raging had tried to take our tail off but luckily we had pulled away and continued to pull away so quickly that collision had been avoided.

It seemed that all the seeded crews had got through as heat winners and so we relaxed and awaited the fixtures for the semis.  We were quite happy to have Henley (as opposed to Amathus and Kingston) again although they were seeded above us having obtained a faster time in the heats. The surprise crew of the day were the ever improving Exe-Calibre who had put some good times in and deserved to be in this race – so we still had to perform.  Lane 1 had not produced many winners during the day so far so we really had to make a race of it.  A good start saw us nudge ahead of Henley but not by much and during the middle section of the race both Henley and Exe-Calibre were still in it with us.  We stayed calm and relied on our plan.  At the finish it was very very close maybe we should have pushed in the middle section?  It later turned out that Del had broken his paddle and so was just going through the motion and Ginette had also sustained an injury so also backed off – so the result was even better two strong paddlers down but a win! The results were posted we had done enough and so we were in the Major final.  Amathus and Kingston were the competition.

A  great start put us on a par with Kingston and there we stayed all the way down the course from lane 3 I could see the closeness of the race and at halfway were slightly behind Kingston and ahead of Amathus we were controlled all the way, the cheers from the bank spurred us on we certainly had plenty of verbal support and then a push for the line we could not overhaul Kingston but a surge from Amathus took them straight into the lead with ease (how do they do that?) We might have to kidnap one of them and interrogate them.

We were within a couple of seconds if that of Amathus with Kingston between us. 

3rd Bristol 1:34:44,2nd Kingston 1:33:84 and 1st Amathus 1:32:92 - so 1:52 seconds in it!! 

A great race the team were duly proud of the efforts they put in and we received a warm praise from Kingston and Amathus for a very close good race.  Ginette however now needed some first aid on her hand she returned later with it in a sling – what commitment!

What a great day and what a pity no races next week!

Comments…

 Whooooooooo!!!!!!Hooooooooooo!!!!! What a day! I am so proud of you all, what a team. In the semi-final Gary asked you to empty your tank and so you did. Henley were with us all the way but we held on to pip them at the finish. The icing on the cake was the final, lined up against Kingston and Amathus. No one would have given us a chance but we had our best race of the day and gave them both as shock. Also what was nice was the support from other crews as we were going to the final.  I'm celebrating with a cider or two.

Excellent days racing guys.  Its great to come away victorious, but the best sensation is the close racing with other good crews and we had two great races with Henley and then the final with Amathus and Kingston.  This event is the first event I have been in where we have called down to 80% as we were so far in front.

Brilliant - great day! I'd like to echo all those comments,  The day only got better and better. Great atmosphere in the 'camp' too, that's as much what we're about as well. So, well done the newer guys, settling in quite nicely I feel. C'mon Bris

Echo all that - one of the best days racing I can remember and so much stronger for the fact that it was 100% Brizzle - I was grinning most of the way home but guess I just need to get out more!

Re Digger's comment about our first race - just proves the point that training is about the body but racing is about the mind. Once we got tuned in we were dynamic. Remember that we made the final still in good shape to push Amathus and Kingston every inch of the way and we never blinked. Bloody brilliant.  Privilege to race with you all - look forward to doing it all again next time.

Great days racing! I didn't have to say much on the back of the boat as you all wanted to win - hopefully this has raised the bar for us, I'm still buzzing from the days racing and I want that feeling again, just shows how every second counts in a race at that level and we can only work on that if everyone turns up to training.

What a day! What a crew! What a blast!!!  I can't tell you how proud I am to be paddling with my home town crew! And 100% Bristol!!! We put up a challenge that was worthy of the Premier Final, and we showed the top teams that we are up there with them! Can you believe how close those final times were!

I had a brilliant day, each race just seemed to get better and better....But!!!! We need to nail this first race syndrome we have! We need more focus at the start, treat it like it’s our last race! Then we will be up there for both major finals!  Well done BED! I love you guys!!!  KILL KILL KILL!!!! Red meat for tea again!

A fab days racing - I am still sooooo buzzed up from it all, brilliant results and we kicked some ass!!

This is what Bristol's all about guys! Fantastic!  I didn't have any aches and pains this morning because those league points just massaged my muscles back to health!!  It was so good it made my dad swear! (I'll be having words with him later, it just won't be tolerated!)  ha ha! But that was such a fantastic days racing it just proves that we are well up there and lets just keep on pushing!!!   I can't wait to see us owning that league table next season!  Thanks for a great day guys
HOOOOOO HARRRR.

The Bristol Empire Dragons' Boat

Drummer	Lauren
Crew (in no particular order)	Left Side	Right Side
	Bharti	Ian
	Candy	Del (Coach)
	Tom	Gary (Captain)
	Chris R	Will R
	Killer - Jon	Bob
	Digger - Jerry	Pete
	Debs	Stuart P-L
	Ben	Stuart
	Ginette	Adam
	Dave	Ryan
Helm	Matt
Team Manager	Gary Corr

Results of the 200 meters

Premier	Crew	Points	Position Overall on the Day
1st	Kingston	16	1st
2nd	Amathus DBC	15	2nd
1st	Worcester	16	3rd
3rd	Bristol	14	4th

Results of the 500 meters

Premier	Crew	Points	Position Overall on the Day
1st	Amathus DBC	16	1st
2nd	Kingston	15	2nd
3rd	Bristol Empire Dragons	14	3rd