Having just finished our training camp the weekend before, the squad went into the weekend of the Metropolitan regatta with high hopes across a packed schedule of racing.
The men’s eight lived up to this expectation with a solid race in a tight field, just being pipped by Vesta and Bristol in the heats of the club event. We knew that our next race in the championship event would be much harder, up against top crews; Radley College, Tyne and Thames. Across a tough field the eight kept on the toes of the Lea’s eight finishing just under a length down.
Unfortunately, despite placing well in their heat, the women’s four had to scratch any further races in the regatta due to illness. The men’s coxless four showed just how good they were by progressing to the finals in their afternoon division, after very close fight with Molesey and University College Cork.
Sunday morning started with tired legs and minds after a long hard day of racing on the Saturday, nevertheless, after words of inspiration from Fred, we all resolved to step up to the task. The four placed second in their heat with a professional row, meanwhile the eight managed to hold off a fast-charging Lea eight in their final, finishing just behind Imperial college. In Curlew’s final race of the day the men’s four put in a good showing, placing third and closing the gap on Molesey whom they had raced multiple times over the weekend.
After a hard weekend, boats were loaded, and the squad reflected on results and achievements, looking forward to progress on the road to Henley.
