Over three days of racing ICBC won 10 golds, finished in second place in the medal and Victor Ludorum tables and a won a gluttony of BUCS points. If you want to row at a University Boat Club who win a load of events, have a great time and finish in the top two in the Victor Ludorum, whilst simultaneously not be a tool we are definitely the club for you (just kidding DUBC don't get mad). I'll try and keep this brief; there were so many races over the BUCS weekend that if I wrote about all of them this report would be longer than my dissertation (although at 2 sentences it is already getting close). I better get started with the story of BUCS 2013...

[This is the final entry in the training camp diaries, either follow this link to go to the start of the series or click on Latest News for all of the entries]

Unfortunately these training blogs ran out of steam towards the end of camp as I had severe writers block (nothing to do with the fact that we bought a replacement football and I realised that I wanted a pimping tan to show off on campus in the next few weeks). Here is the final chapter in the thrilling series. 

[Following some 'feedback' on previous articles ('nauseating', 'made me hurl', 'whoever writes their website needs to wind their neck in') where I may have slightly over-egged the abilities and achievements of some of the rowers at ICBC, I have decided to rein myself in a bit and write this article in a purely factual manner, talking only about facts and adding no colour to the races themselves, here goes…]

ICBC Novices win Hammersmith International-Invitational-World-Championship Head whilst the senior squad storm to unbelievable results in Amsterdam, simultaneously having an incredible time, dishing out great banter and just being all-round Gents. Boat Clubs across the world look on in awe as, in addition to a Headship in a National race, ICBC show they have a superb Novices and a Senior Men's squad who can perform on the biggest International Stage.

ICBC wins WEHoRR and gets 2 boats in the top ten.

With the lads out the way in Amsterdam, the Tideway cleared the way for the arrival of ladies eights from all around the country. And boy did IC put on a show with the 1^st boat finishing 1^st, 2^nd boat finishing 10^th and the 3^rd boat finishing 87^th.

1^st Boat Don’s Angels: Head winners - photo courtesy of Mark Ruscoe

Imperial College win the men’s eight at BUCS head. In a highly successful weekend at Boston, IC laid claim to having the fastest 8, the fastest 4 and the fastest women’s quad, as well as medals left right and centre in other categories. We also finished 2^nd in the Victor Ludorum for BUCS points and medals, narrowly behind Newcastle. You cannot argue with that. 

ICBC’s high performance contingent made the ever dreary trip to Boston on Saturday 9^th February and came out with some good results, hopefully putting them in the mixer for international selection this year. BUCS small boats head was also incorporated into the GB trials, so Imperial athletes were racing for Sport Imperial glory as well!

 IC rowers in 2016?

The sun shone on Imperial College Boat Club crews during the Quintin Head 2013, with a successful retention of the headship and 3 pennants out of a possible 6. Yet another excellent set of results on the tideway for ICBC this season, I am running out of superlatives to describe the talented group of athletes that I am honoured to train with on a daily basis.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial Photos 

The Scullers Head of the River is traditionally an Imperial College dominated event, with multiple pennant and overall winners dotted around current and past IC members. Unfortunately our most recent winner Jamie Kirkwood was released in the summer transfer window on a Bosman free, therefore hopes had turned to the latest crop of IC athletes to step up to the plate. And did they step up! ICBC had the quickest female sculler of the day as well as overall 3rd place, 5th place and 8 pennants, unbelievable!

 Hal Bradbury (Senior Winner). Photo Courtesy of Nick Ablitt