By Aaron Sims
The Lune was ravaged by the elements on the 13th February for the Red Rose Head as the crews prepared to race. The powerful upstream winds and soaking rain made for unpleasant racing conditions, causing some big problems for all the crews over the 4km course.
For the first time this season LUBC were in attendance, in preparation for BUCS Head in Peterborough the following weekend, sending two men’s VIIIs, one novice and one senior. With the women’s VIII unable to race due to injury, they still braved the less than amicable conditions, choosing to cheer crews on at the halfway point, which was most appreciated.
The fastest handicapped time of the day, once again came from Steve ‘Captain Pugwash’ Sullivan who managed to post the only handicapped time of the day under 20 minutes with a raw time of 17.57 and a handicapped time of 19.56. The JOG 2x of Aaron and Kieran, although taking a great racing line between the aqueduct and the buoy, were thrown around like a rag doll in the waves as they attempted to return to Gaunt. They still managed to post an excellent (but suspect) time of 18.05 and a handicapped time of 21.22, earning them second place for the event.
The Mas.D 4x+ of Phil, Martin, Phil and Glenn with rising star, super cox Dylan had a great first Red Rose together, posting a time of 17.57 and a handicapped time of 21.34, earning them third place. This handicap was calculated as an open crew and without the Masters status taken into account meaning potentially they could have ranked higher.
Posting the fastest raw time of the day was the LUBC Men’s 1st VIII who rowed a very respectable 16.34, handicapped to a 21.50. Hopefully they can use this result to their advantage in planning for their upcoming events.
JOG/LSRA decided to put out two women’s quads, the faster of the two featuring Laura, May, Annie and Amy who, on their second attempt at starting the race, were able to post a very pleasing time of 19.31, despite Amy rowing with a slight alcoholic impairment. Given the first quad’s greater experience and power, the second quad with Chloe, Rhianne, Hannah and Ellie were not too far behind, posting 20.53, subsequently handicapped to 23.19.
Not much separated the final two crews on raw time with the JOG 4x- of Andy, Florian, Robin and Ian besting the novice LUBC 2nd VIII by a mere eight seconds. The resulting handicaps were 24.51 and 25.38 which closed the event and allowed everyone to get back in the warm and dry, away from the windswept turbulence of the Lune.
Everyone would like to thank Billie for timekeeping and John O’Gaunt wishes LUBC the best of luck at BUCS Head next weekend. With head season close to an end and everyone getting tired of long distance ergs, roll on the regattas and with them, much more pleasant weather.
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