The weekend of the 16th/17th June 2018 saw Curlew RC newly formed Vets Squad take on British Rowing Master’s Championships. Unfamiliar with the format and unsure of level of the competition – this was a leap into the unknown for Curlew. From recent results, it looks like this is the first appearance of Curlew…and after the results, it wont be our last.
This is what it is all about!
First up: The A/C VIII on the Saturday.
Crew Line Up: James Hasler, N L Druiff, Sean Delaney, Michael Scott, Andrew Burton, Alexander Gibbons, Jamie Sunderland, Matthew Richardson, [Cox] Nicola Freeman
First win! Beating Kingston, Cantabrigian and Portora Boat Club Ireland. Also interesting fact, the VIII was the fastest time of the day with a time of 3.28.73.
Next Up: A/C Coxed IV
Crew Line Up: James Hasler, N L Druiff, Andrew Burton, Alexander Gibbons, [Cox] Nicola Freeman
Sadly the crew came second to a very good Sudbury RC crew, losing by a length. Both Curlew and Sudbury were significantly ahead of the field.
Final race of Saturday was the A/C Coxless IV.
Crew Line Up: Sean Delaney, Michael Scott, Jamie Sunderland, Matthew Richardson.
Back to winning ways, Curlew led from start to finish, pushed along by a very good York City crew, but Curlew won by over two and half lengths.
Sunday.
First up was the VIII.
On a high from yesterday and with fresh re-reinforcements… however, the rules had changed, and so had the conditions. Curlew had entered Cat A, whereas all the other crews were Cat C, and therefore got a 7 seconds head start. Doesn’t sound a lot but in a VIII, its surprising how far you can move in 7 second.
Crew Line Up: Sean Delaney, Michael Scott, Lukas Schmidt, John Stewart, Jamie Sunderland, Alexander Gibbons, James Hasler, Matthew Richardson, [Cox] Nicola Freeman
Result – sadly it was not to be, coming in 5th – just ran out of water, having made up 4 of the 7 seconds.
Next the revenge. . . the VIII was then broken down into the IVs, and we were racing the same competition…
First up, A/B Coxless IV
Crew Line Up: Sean Delaney, Michael Scott, Jamie Sunderland, Matthew Richardson.
Having to give away a 2 second head start to Agecroft, the coxless not only caught up with Agecroft but also went through by the half way point. However, credit to Agecroft, they pushed all the way and never let go. Curlew managing to pull away in the final 250m to record a clear water win.
Final race of the weekend: A/B Coxed IV
Crew Line Up: James Hasler, John Stewart, Lukas Schmidt, Alexander Gibbons, [Cox] Nicola Freeman
What a race to finish on, best race of the weekend by far. Curlew and York fought for the entire 1000m, swapping leads with Curlew finally pushing through in the last “to the line charge” winning by only half a length over York City. A fantastic race and credit again goes to York City for pushing the boys all the way.
Captain Mike – “all members of the squad who raced came away with at least one medal, its been a fantastic weekend for the squad and for the club. We are looking forward to Henley Masters now…”
