Pairs Head 2010: This year’s Pairs Head marked many firsts; the first race back from injury for Dom Meyrick-Cole and the first race under new head coach Don McLachlan. The race was a roaring success and, of the twelve IC crews entered, the club brought home three category wins (Eli.2x, IM1.2- and W.Eli 2-) as well as the Head of the River (yes, Jamie Kirkwood has done it again!). The return of Mr Meyrick-Cole, after 9 months of injury (JYS/SMW – two very serious endemic conditions affecting much of the boathouse flat), to ICBC has been a long time coming and, after multiple attempts, he finally returned to full time training at the start of this season. Few would have guessed that within a matter of weeks he would be fake-tanned, wearing a sheet, mobile phone in hand screaming “I WON PAIRS HEAD” as the results were finally released.
Photo by Nick Ablitt
The first couple in this year’s round of Strictly Come Rowing were the winning Head of the River double act of Jamie Kirkwood and Josh “Where’s the steep bit?” Butler, who completed the 4km course in a time of 13mins 10secs. Jamie, who has won just about everything humanly possible over the last 12 months (winner of scullers head, 8th at Head of the River, Gold at Duisberg International Regatta, winner of the Visitors Challenge Cup at Henley Royal, Gold at U23 World Championships, Silver at EUSA: Apologies for anything missed but this really is beginning to be a ridiculously long list!) and Josh annihilated the 475 boat strong competition, coming nearly 17 seconds ahead of every other boat, as well as overtaking other Thames giants (literally compared to this lightweight double) from Molesey and Tideway Scullers. Rumour has it Jamie employed his Tigers to get over the finish line at a rate, clocked by those on Hammersmith Bridge, at 45, an impressive feat at the end of a Head race. Once again, Jamie had heartache alongside his win. On returning to the boathouse, he discovered only his bike front wheel remained attached to railings.
Photo by Nick Ablitt
Dom Meyrick-Cole and his partner, Alex Gillies, were ICBC’s fastest pair of the day, winning the IM1.2- category in just over 14 mins and coming in 40th overall. The couple’s success may be attributed to brute physical strength and the motivation of Gillies who “strapped reins to [Dom], and [they] went down the course with [Alex] whipping [Dom]”. Or to the fact that the pair took some serious thought into the aerodynamics and aesthetics of their boat, with Run DMC going all out on the eve of the race and getting a Mohawk – a true go faster racing stripe. If Alex had decided to unleash the bright blonde hair to act as a blinding distraction to crews ahead, the pair may have even emulated the last IC winners of Pairs head – Mr Will Todd and Mr Ole Tietz.
Also continuing to build on their success over the summer (winners of Henley Women’s Regatta and Gold medallists in W4- at FISU in Hungary) were Zoë Lee and Leonora Kennedy of Sport Imperial Boat Club. The pair successfully won their W.Eli 2- a full 25 seconds ahead of every other ladies pair of the day. This was despite the fact the pair had had a rocky run-up to the race with a grand total of two outings beforehand and an encounter between the hull and the bank the day before. In spite of this, Lenny steered a brilliant line on race day and were the third fastest women’s boat, with the two crews ahead of them have 4 blades compared to the mighty 2 of Zenny.
Photo by Nick Ablitt
The next double to take to the stage was Tom Pearson and Sam “U23 Bronze Medallist” Scrimgeour, entered in the Senior.2x category; these lightweights were 17th overall and 4th in their category. After the success of last year, Adam Seward was once again in a double, but this time with El Capitan Danny Bellion stroking him down the course. Adam and Eve were 19th overall, only a second behind Thomas the Tank Engine and Fireman Sam, and 5th in their category (IM2.2x). Once novice status was successfully lost at this year’s Head of the River, Tom Shaw and Will Laughlin jumped in their IM3 double and danced their way down the course, through the bumpy water and into their togas at the other end, finishing an impressive 16th in their category for the second year rowers who are new to the Pairs Head.
Photo by Harold Bradbury
ICBC fielded multiple pairs in the event, all of whom came within the top 5 of their categories. First up was the pairing of Will Todd and Tommy “Sugarbags” Hilton, ICBC’s Senior Pair of the day [although certain members of the club may not affiliate the word “Senior” with Mr Sugarbags, especially after his performance at this year’s toga party]. Will and Grace came 3rd in their category (Senior.2-) and 77th overall.
There were two couples fighting for the IM1.2- crown. James ‘engine room’ Hobhouse and Leo Carrington started 102 while Simon ‘Stainless’ Steele and Alex Evangelidis started 104. This led to some intense racing as the only crew separating them was stranded in Imperial wash shortly after Barnes. Stainless was originally teamed with long term partner Rory Sullivan, but unfortunately Rozney fell ill two weeks before the race and told by his doctor to have 2-3 weeks completely off training to recover from post-viral fatigue [this did not, thank goodness, stop him from doing a few beach weights prior to the annual toga party!]. The search was on for a new other half. Ben Spencer-Jones stepped up to the mark but unfortunately they had too many points combined and the coaches had forgotten they both rowed on the same side. Another reshuffle was needed. Simon’s new partner Alex Evangelidis, fresh from Latymer, was dogged by injury and, somewhat courageously ignoring physio orders, held out for the race.. The intra-boat club race was on. Unfortunately James and Leo were scuppered and ended up “intermingling” with another crew (14:37, 5th in Category 103rd overall), allowing Simon and Alex to storm past (14:11, 3rd in Category by 3 seconds 55th overall).
Photo by Nick Ablitt
In the IM2.2- also entered the pair of Henry Goodier and Wilf ‘look at my polka dot toga
’ Kimberley, who had an eventful race. Henry and Wilf mingled with some young lads from Latymer [it appears that Wild Wilf, fresh out of Westminster school, is yet to let schoolboy rivalries die]. As the duo approached Dove Pier, they were overtaking an HSBC crew who would not move and were forced into the blue blades of a Latymer boat. Sharp intakes of breath were heard from the spectators on Hammersmith Bridge as the school boys fell unceremoniously into the icy Thames. Rumour has it Wilf was later heard at the Toga party saying “NO ONE GETZ ‘N MA WAY!”. Despite the crash, the couple were second in their category, only one agonising second behind Simon and Alex and 10 behind DMC and Gilles(14:12, 58th Overall).
Photo by Harold Bradbury
Unfortunately the downfall of Latymer had further repercussions for another IC crew of Matt Lunt and Ben Spencer-Jones who, after some confusion in the build up to the race, ended up in an IM3.2x amongst all the IM2.2-. Bill and Ben, who had already dealt with the bad water on the course, had to barge their way through the wash of the lifeguard boat for the last few minutes. Regardless of this, the flowerpot men were 13th in their category (14:25, 79th Overall).
Hot on the heels of their Bedford Massive win, the dream team of Christina Duffy (POD - legend in her own time) and Chloe Symmonds, termed fondly as Cluffy, were flying the student flag. Racing in the W.IM3.2x, the double came second in their category, just 4 seconds off a coveted win (15:17, 226th Overall). One crew that were being overtaken told Cluffy to move out of their way, at which point, the ever gentle Chloe politely pointed out that they were the fastest boat and hence deserved the racing line.
Photo by Nick Ablitt
All in all, a good day was had by all at ICBC, and the celebrations continued long into the night at the now legendary/infamous toga party. It was time for the contestants to don their fake tan and appear as naked as possible, without actually being so [Press Coordinator Richards regrets to say that almost can be omitted here in some cases as the night progressed and the quantity of alcohol available decreased]. Bedsheets, Union Flags and, in some instances, just a pillowcase were the "coverings" of choice. The trial for next year is to see if Dr Richard Winchester and Mr William Todd can surpass their brilliance at this event for a third year running. Congratulations to anyone who made it through the night, or who ended up sleeping in their own bed and not just on somebody else’s mattress on the floor in the IC flat.
Libby Richards