E2- Kennedy & Lee Halted in HWR Final. Regain lead to break longest standing course record!
Henley Women’s Regatta 2010: ICBC’s Zoë Lee and Lenny Kennedy found themselves three lengths down in the final of elite pair’s after crashing into the booms and coming to a full halt. They jacked the rate up to 37, “pulled f-cking hard” and grinded down the difference before rowing through Osiris and taking the win. Despite the unscheduled tea-break, the pair also managed to smash the longest standing course record by seven seconds – the record was set by a GB squad pair rowing as United Universities in 1992. It was a good weekend for ICBC represented in three finals (E2-(win), E4-(win) & S2x).
The elite pair's event had tough competition with entries from ex-ICers Nicky Smith for City of Oxford beaten by Osiris in the opening round and Carlyn Greenhalgh for A.R.S.R. Skadi who lost out to Osiris in the semi-final.
There was also victory and a new course record for ICBC in the elite coxless four composite of Sport Imperial/Durham/Nottingham/Glasgow with ICBC’s Lottie Howard-Merrill taking home a medal with pair’s partner Polly Swann who will join the ICBC family next year.
The senior double of Emma Young and Kat Holloway faced a gruelling weekend of racing starting with qualifiers on Friday morning. By Sunday’s final the 2x had dispatched Tyne R.C., MAA and Curlew (Young: "We'll get them by the short and curlies"). Despite a gallant performance the crew was beaten by Nottingham R.C. by ¾ of a length in the final. For a watersports coach it’s amazing how allergic coach Steele is to waterworks. Might as well crack out the old tried and tested method of comfort: the arm’s length shoulder pat: “There there now. There there.”
He should have had great practise after the four of doom (Christina Duffy, Christina Matteotti, Chloe Symmonds, Selina Graham & Tom Fieldman) crashed out in the first round to a Marlow R.C., Osiris B.C. composite. To add to POD’s woes, the composite was annihilated in the next round by Sons of the Thames (who IC had beaten a week before). When the news broke that Sons went on the win the event POD was emotionally beyond repair. Matteotti’s highlights for the regatta include “watching 'Up' and eating all kinds of shit.” Not a single other person’s dreams crushed. One must think positively though: unlike last year, the crew actually made it to the finish line. POD’s triple Henley failure has left her twisted and embittered with a heightened sense of cynicism and sarcasm. Is this a cry for help? Yes, yes it is.
Another cry for help was sent to Coach Steele in the run up to HWR from lightweight Rachael Davies. Davies was competing in the elite lightweight pair’s event as a composite with Lizzie Mann of Tideway Scullers: “I’m so hungry I think I might cry.” Steele: “Fluid loss is an important part of your weight management – you should collect any tears and weigh them.” The pair had a by in the first round and lost out to Oxford University Women’s lightweight R.C. on Sunday. Davies accepted defeat graciously: “IT'S ALL BRIAN'S FAULT! The curse of Steele knows no bounds. That and possibly a mild lack of ability, but mostly just Brian.”
The elite quad of Chazz Moultrie, Ro Smith, Charlie Maile and Maggie Paxton also fell at the first hurdle losing out to a Nottingham/Leander composite that went on to win the event. POD’s request of crew contributions to this article went foolishly ignored by the 4x. As promised: Chazz eats cereal with apple juice, Ro will have a PhD from UL (maybe this is a bit harsh, sorry Ro), Charlie is actually forty years old having had A LOT of work done and Maggie… well Maggie bites people. A significant proportion of the men’s squad could cast dentures from holes in their chests. This is actually true. Run for your lives.
Mathilde Pauls was entered in the elite single sculls competing for the George Innes Cup. She beat Rodgriguez of Bath in the opening round in one of the fastest times of the event but was distracted by final year medicine exams and fell victim to MAA on Saturday. Pauls will be a qualified doctor in a few weeks - so we know who the real winner is (that’s Mathilde for those who think as slowly as Matt Lunt speaks eeeeeehhhh Maaaattt?)
Post Henley celebrations/commiserations began early with a reported flashing of Ralph Lauren knickers to the whole bar at the Henley “after-party”. Within hours Putney was descended upon and drank dry. POD retired from the mayhem but was called to duty as part of the Bedford Massive at 1:30 am: “Hello?” “It’s MUMMY! I’m OUTSIDE! Me and Chewy are going SWIMMING in the RIVER! Are you in?!” It was a tempting offer, for reasons other than swimming, but POD declined.
Congratulations to Zoë, Lenny and Lottie for entering the dizzy heights of success that former Henley winner Will Todd has enjoyed, and very well done to Kat and Emma. We are all very proud of you, especially head coach Steve Trapmore:
"A great set of results for the girls squad, and a significant move on from last year. Disappointed for those that did not make it through to finals after all the good work they have put in. Most of the women's squad are now focused on qualification for Henley Royal Regatta and it will be fantastic to see the crews progress through to the Regatta itself."
Many thanks for the gracious hospitality of Mrs. Shephard and Mr. & Mrs. Dick Bush whose homes became HQ for ICBC crews. Qualification for HRR is this coming Friday with entries for a Remenham Challenge Cup 8+ and a Princess Grace Challenge Cup 4x. Good luck to all ICBC squads and crews hoping to qualify.
Christina Duffy
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