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
Leonora Kennedy of Sport Imperial was the second fastest female on the day, completing the course in 23:30.30 and successfully taking the pennant for winning the Women’s Senior category. Also bringing home the silverware was SIBC’s Zoë Lee, who won her category of Women’s IM3 and was the fourth fastest woman, in a time of 23:40.23. ICBC’s Women’s Captain Chloe Symmonds won the Women’s Novice pennant in a time of 24:50.36, despite some interesting times of ten minutes slower initially declared after racing. Selina Graham was also initially affected by this ten minute time warp addition, but after clarification, came 3rd in Women’s Novice category (25:10.86). Kat Holloway was the final IC sculler down the course and, after the hand warmers were thrown away at the start line, stormed away to come 3rd in Women’s IM3 in a time of 24:46.59.
Photo by Gareth Brown
“Tom Pearson” (also known as Wilf “TEAM KIMBERLEY” Kimberley) was the fastest IC sculler over the course in a time of 21:50.25, coming in 7th place overall and would have been winner of the IM1 category [if he had actually been entered under his own name and in the correct category for his points total] but this title instead went to Marco Espin of neighbouring London Rowing Club. The other pennant winner from ICBC's Gentlemen’s squadron, Henry Goodier, continued to build on his success of last year (Novice winner) by claiming the IM3 pennant this year, coming in 18th overall (22:01.43). Henry’s job now is to take the IM2 prize next year [and possibly start in the correct position – Henry was meant to start 9th but the marshals decided he was too late]. The lightweight squadron’s success continued as Josh “Where’s the steep bit?” Butler came 2nd in his category (Senior Lwt) and 11th overall in a time of 21:53.75 while Sam Scrimgeour came 3rd in Elite Lwt (24th overall, 22:04.67).
Photo courtesy of Nick Ablitt
In the IM2 event, IC had five entries who smashed the category in the face, dominating the top ten, coming in 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th and 10th (Rory Sullivan, 29th overall 22:09.98/Simon Steele, 39th overall 22:21.98/Sam Cottrell, 46th overall 22:25.45/Danny Bellion, 60th overall 22:37.21/Al Hudson, 68th overall 22:44.20 respectively). Sullivan was due to start third and would have had the opportunity to have a totally empty stretch of tideway to play with as both first and second had scratched from race. Unfortunately, Rozney was just a little too chilled out, missed the start and was forced to start further down the field (around 40th), causing some raised eyebrows as those watching from the clubhouse saw numbers around 20 passing the club with no sign of the Imperial sculler. A further shock came as Blue [quite literally] Steele was seen travelling down in just an all-in-one, flouting instructions from the organisers who had insisted “tomorrow is not a day for skins”. As one member of the club said “There’s always one… and his name is Simon”.
Photo courtesy of Nick Ablitt
Unfortunately IC didn’t hold onto the Novice pennant for the third year in a row (the winner came 8th overall) but strong performances were seen from Leo Carrington (4th, 79th overall, 22:48.61), Ben Spencer-Jones (6th, 83rd overall, 23:11.03) and Iain Palmer (12th, 161st overall, 23:44.92). ICBC legends, Will Todd and Ben Anstiss both came 7th in their categories (23:12.78, IM1 and 22:53.39, IM3 respectively).
Further success was had by two former ICBC ladies, who both won their pennants – Louise Hart of Nottingham Rowing Club won the Women’s IM2 Lightweight category while Ellie Dorman of Vesta won the Women’s IM2 category.
ICBC’s annual dinner followed that evening and was the perfect way for the squad to celebrate a successful day of racing. Highlights of the evening included GB’s Anna Watkins as guest speaker, Head Coach Don McLachlan being initiated into “TEAM KIMBERLEY”, IC alumni John Forster’s opening speech including martial arts manoeuvres and several hilarious anecdotes, the re-introduction of the Queen’s Tower Handle (filled with pink fizz) going to the one and only POD, improvements in senior-novice squad relations and dancing into the early hours. Training resumed as normal the following morning [although a little later than usual] for racing in matched mixed 8s, despite a few sore heads and not enough sleep - there's no better way to detox.
Libby Richards