Worcester Head 2009

I was expecting to be spending the day in the cold and possible wet weather but instead we were treated to glorious sunshine for this year’s Worcester Head.

This year’s course was the full 6 kilometres as the river was behaving itself. I was down to race in the 8 and the 4 so that equated to 24 kilometres of rowing for the day, 12 at race pace (you row up to the start and then back down).

The 8 was first up and although we finished mid table we all felt a little dejected. We simply didn’t get the boat moving well enough and it didn’t feel like there was any drive.

By the time I got in the 4 I was feeling pretty tired and had some blister and sorer legs from the first race. In our division were Warwick, who we’d be chasing, and Evesham.  With my friend being in the bow of Warwick I was keen to catch them. With this in mind we turned quickly for the start and set off in the chase. Warwick kept a good three boat lengths for 4 kilometres and took Evesham near the bridges. We settled into a good rhythm and rate, one I felt was sustainable for the bulk of the course, Jennifer did a good job of keeping our concentration and technique going. After passing the boat club we started winding it up and caught Evesham as we passed through the bridge. We nearly clashed but they eventually conceded the stream (the deep, fast flowing part of the river). Building up to the finish we really put the power down and overtook Warwick on the line. And so we retained our status as senior 4+ winners.

It was a damn good day of racing and with sore hands I gladly collected my pot from the Worcester Captain. Overall our 4 was the fastest of the day and only 12 seconds off the pace of our 8. I’m sure the 8 shall get faster as we get more practice leading up to the Head of the River.