Wakened at first light by our rooster-pigeon on our window ledge, the day dawned clear and warm, the sky bright blue. By noon, the breeze was light, the water flat, and the sun hot. Our women arrived with game faces on, fully prepared, put hands on the boat, and launched ready to bring their all.
Coach Martha and Coach Pat, along with some WPI and Newcastle parents, had the privilege of riding in the umpire launch following behind the race. At 12:56PM, with crews aligned, and ready, the flag dropped.
Newcastle, with a blazing start (I would guess about a 44), jumped ahead in the first 20 strokes by 4 seats, but WPI also blazed out at a 41, fully bringing "guns" to bear. Newcastle edged away bit by bit, pushed by the tenacious WPI crew, finally gaining open water on us. But our women stayed in the fight, pushing beyond their limits to stay on the tail of Newcastle all the way down the course, and gaining ground in the last 250m to a final result of Newcastle over WPI, officially by 2 lengths. Newcastle's time was a very fast 5:00, the fastest time posted today, thanks in no small part to WPI pushing them during the race.
We are
extremely proud of all our WPI women rowers. Their preparation and performance was superb. They came to race, and race they did. In the words of Coach Pat, HoooRahhh!
Cheers!
Coach Pat
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| Umpire launch |
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| WPI in the Bucks lane... |
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| Newcastle University in the Berks lane. |
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| WPI in the heat of battle |
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| Newcastle women came to visit and chat with our team - they are a class act - good luck Newcastle! [apparently they've been reading our blog :-)] |
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| Nick Park, creator of Wallace and Gromit, is creating a live action claymation using clay figures crafted by rowers at the regatta site - some of our women contributed! |
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