Granted with only 16 entries into the Club Eights, no qualification was required. However, to ensure we made the quarter final, we had to come top 8 in the time trial. On paper this was achievable and so we just had to believe we could do it. Knowing the time trial ’is the final’ we went out extremely hard. Alex delivered the race plan perfectly to ensure we rowed to the best of our ability. With Fred confirming the great news of coming 8th, our next focus was our first heat that afternoon… so we commenced several hours of sitting down, stretching, water, and eating flapjacks from the Oatopia van in preparation for another ‘this is the final!’
Knowing that we were stronger than the Bristol crew caused the nerves to show, and after an ugly start we settled into our rhythm and quickly moved away. As per our pre-race scenario discussions, and now comfortably ahead, Alex delivered the calls to bring the rate down, with back swing and length, taking it to the finish line 4 ½ lengths ahead.
So onto the following day, the quarter final where we faced Thames (A) . We knew that they were stronger but anything can happen, so we went off hard hoping that maybe, just maybe, we could knock them mentally. We managed to maintain contact way past the island, and I actually thought ‘we could do this’, but at that point Thames made the change and squeezed on with great efficiency. Even with calls from Alex and the support from the bank we could not get it back. We are very proud of our achievements and finished on a high, despite not getting the side-by-side racing that we all love and hate. The adrenaline and buzz was missed, but there is always next year!
Words by Sophie Baker, 6 seat
Last 16
Curlew RC beat City of Bristol “C” – verdict 4.5L
Quarter Finals
Thames “A” beat Curlew RC – verdict 3L
Crew Line Up:
C.. Waghorne , E.. Wilsher , S.. Baker , I.. Jirgensone , A.. Powell , D.. Vande Voorde , G.. Barker , J.. Phillips , A.. Smith
