ICBC vs Isis (a.k.a. Proof that GB Rowing were sensible to hold trials on one day only): On the day before the Valentine's day 2011, no love was lost between the second Oxford University boat, Isis, and two Imperial eights during training. Three 10 minute pieces were on the programme; one to be done alone against the tide and two with the stream, side by side with the Dark Blues. Tension was high with some members of ICBC 1 beginning to feel the pressure before boating [partly down to the efforts of Will "Stirrer" Todd], but cool-as-a-cucumber, ex-Goldie member and strokeman Matt Whaley reassured the boys to keep calm and just focus on their own rowing [it's alright for him - he's already beaten Isis once!].

Photo Courtsey of Nick Ablitt

GB Trials - The Third Open Assessment: After the cancellation of the last GB assessment in December (for the second year in a row) and the return of the full national squad [aka The Big Deals] from the World Championships in Lake Karapiro, New Zealand,  the third and final open assessment was always going to be a big day for all those involved. ICBC was represented on many fronts, from familiar names such as the man and legend that is Adam Freeman-Pask; to those who have recently joined the ranks of Imperial, Andrea Dennis; those who have been through the system as a junior, Wilf “TEAM KIMBERLEY” Kimberley and those headed to trials for the very first time, Chloe Symmonds.

PUTNEY IC NOVICE HEAD CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD: The second race of the novice calendar occurred with nearly as much drama as the first. After numerous early morning training sessions and some serious self-ego-boosting the Men’s crew were feeling mighty and unbeatable. Despite a disappointing, yet promising third place in Cambridge, winning was the only option here. The Women’s eight on the other hand decided to take the race a little less seriously [maybe feeling a little cocky after their huge Cambridge victory four weeks ago] by adorning festive Santa hats and adding some aerodynamically compromising tinsel to the riggers at least no one would be expecting an emphatic triumph.

Scullers Head 2010: Anyone on the Thames on 27th November will testify that the weather could best be described as icy. Despite this, 20 of Imperial’s finest (along with 407 others from across the country) braved the conditions. ICBC/SIBC had a very successful end to the racing calendar of 2010, officially winning 4 pennants (5 unofficially). The Women’s Squadron, once again, showed they are a force to be reckoned with, bringing home 3 of the 4 wins.

Photo courtesy of Nick Ablitt

Cambridge Winter Head 2010: Press Officer Tom "Lycra" Carpenter reports from the banks of the Cam.

What better way to start a weekend than waking up to a glorious hangover at half past six on a cold winter’s morning. Early starts are what rowing is all about apparently, but it was still a huge shock to many of ICBC’s novices. After some light dozing and a good few bananas, London was left behind and they were soon being thrown off the coach in an obscure housing estate in north Cambridge. The cam, a mere stream compared with the might of the Thames tideway, gave confidence to the competitors at least for a good result.

Photo by Orla McMahon

Fours Head of the River 2010: Unlike the year before, Fours Head 2010 actually went ahead on a cold Sunday morning in the middle of November. ICBC fielded eleven crews, with six coming within the top five of their categories.

Once again the dream team of Jamie Kirkwood and Josh Butler (Pairs Head Winners) was combined with the extra might of Sam Scrimgeour and Wilf “Safe Blud” Kimberley in the Elite Lightweight 4x. Jamie didn’t quite manage to add Fours head to his multiple wins over the year, as the quad came in 4th overall and 3rd within their category (18:24.84).

Photo by Hal Bradbury