Bedford Spring Fours & Small Boats Head – Sunday 11 April 2010
| WN 4x- | 08:13 | WINNERS | 1/3 | Wieke Avis, Briony Armson, Jane Alsop, Rachel Spruce |
| S 2- | 07:56 | (+0:24) | 2/3 | Hugh Johnson, Bill Austen |
| IM1 4- | 07:13 | (+0:05) | 3/5 | Barry Munton, Hugh Johnson, Ian Craig, Bill Austen |
| NV 4+ | 08:48 | (+1:33) | 20/23 | David Jarrett, Richard Winson, Paul Plowman, Panos Aristidou, Helena Dale (cox) |
| NV 4+ | 09:00 | (+1:45) | 22/23 | David Jarrett Richard Winson, Steve Ridgway, Panos Aristidou, Helena Dale (cox) |
| NV 1x | 08:21 | (+0:02) | 2/19 | Ian Craig |
| W.IM2 2- | 09:25 | (+0:57) | 4/4 | Jamie Patel, Caroline Shenton-Taylor |
| W.IM2 4+ | 08:21 | (+0:29) | 5/7 | Jamie Patel, Caroline Shenton-Taylor, Katie Shiels, Alice Poole, Hayley Kim (cox) |
| W.NV 4+ | 10:20 | (+1:56) | 10/11 | Helen Grant, Joanne Badley, Lucy Lancaster, Karolina Wyczolkowska, Paul Woowat (cox) |
| W.NV 4+ | 10:46 | (+2:22) | 11/11 | Helen Grant, Diana Little, Joanne Badley, Karolina Wyczolkowska Paul Woowat (cox) |
| W.NV 1x | 10:20 | (+1:14) | 8/12 | Rachel Spruce |
| W.NV 1x | 10:47 | (+1:41) | 11/12 | Grace Alsop |
| W.IM1 2x | 08:38 | (+0:32) | 2/2 | Jackie Johnson, Kate Lucas |
| W.IM3 2x | 09:13 | (+0:34) | 8/8 | Katie Shields, Alice Poole |
| W.NV 2x | 09:12 | (+0:22) | 4/8 | Wieke Avis, Briony Armson |
| W.IM3 4x | 08:25 | (+0:31) | 2/4 | Wieke Avis, Briony Armson, Jane Alsop, Rachel Spruce |
| W.J16 1x | 10:40 | (+1:34) | 10/10 | Grace Alsop |
| MasE/F 1x | 09:24 | (+1:05) | 6/7 | Paul Woowat |
Race Reports:
Senior Squads
For the Senior Women, Bedford brought ‘The Lizard’ its first pot, as the W.NV 4x overtook GRC's own W.IM2 4+! A good start ready for the regatta season & very satisfying! The same crew had less success at W.IM3 though. A combination of being overtaken (and therefore having to move off the racing line), a strengthening wind and tired legs put them 12 seconds slower over the course – but still 24 seconds ahead of their nearest W.IM3 4x rivals and second out of four. Thanks go to Jane Alsop for being super-sub.
After much gossiping in the marshalling area ahead of Division 3, Grace and Rachel had some good racing at W.NV 1x. Grace did it all again in Div. 5 at W.J16 1x. No wins, but they weren't the slowest either!
Kate and Jackie raced at W.IM1 in their 2x and put in a good race. Not put off by only being able to race once, they packed some running shoes and chased the Senior Men's 4- down the course in their Div. 4 race!
Alice and Katie racing their 2x for the first time (at W.IM3) were narrowly beaten by Wieke and Bryony – also racing their 2x for the first time, but at W.NV. The margin between them was only 1 second. Jaime and Caroline also debuted in the W.IM2 2-, had an enjoyable race and are looking forward to many more to come over the summer.
The W.IM2 4+ of Haylee (cox), Jaime, Caroline, Katie and Alice also had a good race – rounding off a solid winter season, which has seen them racing regularly, most recently as stern four in the women's first eight at WeHORR.
The Senior Men also had a good day at Bedford, entering IM1 4- & Sen. 2- classes with 1x's from Ian and Paul. Hugh returned to rowing after a sabbatical as a runner (apparently there’s some sort of marathon coming up soon?), while – unless we can persuade him to risk divorce and sneak out again – for Barry, it may be his last race in the four before becoming a father!
Barry, Lazy Boy, Ian and Bill had a surprisingly good scratch outing in the 4-, having an excellent race with a Cantabrigian Sen. 4+ crew and finishing just 5 seconds behind the overall IM1 4- winners. The highlight, however, must be Ian finishing 2nd of 19 in NV 1x, just 2 seconds behind the winner. Unfortunately, that means Ian has avoided his agreed forfeit of buying the Senior Men a slap-up tea if he posted a slower time than Paul…
We’ll be cheering you on harder next time, Paul!!!
Development Squads
Each of the men's side and the women's side of the 2009-10 Development Squad also raced entries for the first time at Bedford.
The men put in pleasing performances in each of the two divisions in which they were entered – each race starting off steady and building over the course, winding for home from the 500m mark. It was a great introduction to racing for those in the crew who have never raced before, while those with slightly more race experience also really enjoyed it
The results were also encouraging, as despite being still in the early stages of their development neither men's crew came last within the NV 4+ class. Good news, with Regatta season fast approaching, as their times should now show a more rapid improvement as they come together technically. Special mention goes to Helena (cox) for her pin sharp stearing through all the bridges and excellent racing line.
Last (but not least) to get a mention, the Development Squad women entered 2 divisions at W.NV 4+. These were their first races in any combination, setting a benchmark for their future racing. All can be rightly proud of what they have acheived since first setting foot in a club boat last September and they had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Walton Small Boats Head – Saturday 10 April 2010
| NV 2x | 11:25 | (+0:10) | 3/4 | James Pigram (Weybridge composite) |
| MasC 4x | 10:24 | (+0.41) | 2/2 | Ross Manton, James Sadler, Peter Hopkins, Paul Woowat |