Henley Race 3

Monday, 16 January 2012 09:01

A severely depleted team took part in the third Henley race.

After a lot of last minute changes we had a team of 18 for the third race.  Setting off from Bristol the temperature was 5 degrees and on reaching Henley it was a sunny -1 degrees this was typical Henley Winter Racing conditions.  The river looked good for racing and we were in fairly positive mood but knowing the paddlers we had missing from the boat it was going to be tough and so it proved.

From the off we couldn't get the balance in the boat right so set off listing heavily to the right we hoped it wasn't going to be our version of the Costa Concordia.  We stayed up right all the way around, despite gallons of water coming in from the bow, that was about the best of the day’s effort really.  The boat never got going and felt sluggish and this was easily proved because Worcester came by us at ease and we could not respond.  Then followed the GB crews and Execalibre all passing us will ease only the skilful helming of Rob took us around the Temple Island turn and despite the lean to the right we came round and actually closed the gap on Execalibre that was short lived and they disappeared into the sun on the stretch up to Henley bridge.  No sooner as we had lost ground on Execalibre then the Rafters came past and we were now all alone at the back of the field now whether this was the "final nail in the coffin" I don't know but whatever it was and whatever was tried nothing happened and we just seemed to go nowhere and were losing ground on the field ahead of us. 

As the bridge came into view and the sounds of drums resonated around Henley the boat picked up slightly and we started to make ground albeit too late and despite another great turn taking some 50 metres out the boat ahead of us we eventually came over the line last.

I think that with the adjusted times we won't be last but in all honesty it's a race we could have done without and I and a couple of others are suffering as a result.  Thanks to all the Bristol contingency that made the long trip to Henley early on Sunday morning - I am sorry that the morning was a disappointment for us.  However I think we cam learn some lessons from this and let's take them forward to the next Henley where we will probably start near the front of the pack and who knows that may help us? 

See you at training on Sunday.