Changeable Weather as ICBC Mark Territory: Goldie (Cambridge University Boat Club’s second 8) has been added to the list of crews that have fallen to the might of ICBC in the past few weeks. The fixture was planned as two half Boat Race course pieces; one from the start at Putney Pier to the start of Chiswick Eyot, the second from the start of the Eyot to the Boat Race finish at the University Stone in Mortlake on the flood tide. Immediately following was the big press event of the day – the Cambridge Blue Boat versus the U23 trialists, umpired by Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE, and followed by multiple photographers [apparently the Big Deals of ICBC/Goldie were not entitled to the same treatment].
A quick pre-paddle was had on the Saturday afternoon and, as the crew returned to the boathouse, the heavens opened and rain drizzled on the Tideway. Strokeman Matt Whaley [victorious 4-man in Goldie 2010], cox Libby Richards and a cackle of coaches (Don McLachlan, Stu Whitelaw, Seb Pearce and Dougie Thoms) made their way to neighbouring King’s College School Boathouse, where the CUBC crews traditionally boat from, for the coin toss with umpire, Boris Rankov. The crew (cox: Richards/Whaley/Rory Sullivan/Louis Margot/Ali Hudson/Ben Spencer-Jones/Leo Carrington/Simon Steele/Hal Bradbury) had already made the decision that “Tails never fails” and, should the toss be won, Middlesex would be the winning station. Cox and Stroke from Goldie (Liz Box and Nick Edelman) were waiting expectantly and the four Cantabrigians (two current, two graduates now at Imperial) huddled around in the rain as Boris explained the outline of proceedings. On toss of the coin, Press Coordinator Richards was a little eager and called tails before the pound was even in the air, but fate was smiling on IC as tails indeed did not fail and Middlesex was chosen. As the rather-swelled contingent returned to the boathouse, the drizzle turned into hail and sheeting rain, giving perfect IC racing conditions. However, as the shiny wing-rig empacher was taken to the water’s edge, the hail and rain subsided and the sun popped through the clouds.
Once the rigmarole for Boat Race day was practiced including paddling through Putney road and rail bridges side-by-side on station, bowballs (and the two coxes, both incidentally called Elizabeth) were aligned and the crews ready for the race ahead. Reminiscent of racing Isis, Imperial were born ready and managed to eke out a slight lead on Goldie (cox: Box/Edelman/Josh Pendry/Ben Evans/Alex Ross/Andrew Viquerat/James Strawson/Jamie Lougie/Sasha Kasas) at the start, which was extended to almost a length by the end of Putney embankment wall. As the “Flood” tide had only just turned at the start of the race, there was little stream and IC’s choice of Middlesex was even more advantageous as bends were cut, giving a shorter racing line.
As the finish line was crossed, IC were content with the gap to the Light Blues, however, the Dark Blue side of Seb Pearce raised its head; “More distance! Put more on them” was heard down the megaphone [Press Coordinator Richards is fairly sure this wasn’t the attitude towards Isis...]. The crews swapped stations (Goldie now on Middlesex, Imperial on Surrey) and prepared for the start of the second piece. Once again, ICBC were quick off the start but this time Goldie were faster too. As both crews stormed down the eyot and shouts of “apex the bends” were heard from the launches, Imperial’s impressive rhythm began to shine. Post-race comments included “that minute was the best bit of rowing I’ve ever been a part of”. By the time the University stone was passed in Mortlake, Imperial had taken the same distance out of Goldie as the first piece with an extra four seconds to boot. Whether this is all down to Ali Hudson’s now obligatory “Morgan Freeman” all-in-white outfit, that has been worn at the Isis fixture, BUCS Head and Goldie fixture, is unknown [its appearance at the Heineken Roeivierkamp is surely on the cards].
As the crews gently paddled back to Putney, the scrumptious food provided by CUBC/KCS and the England vs. France Six Nations Rugby match, the Blue Boat were taking on the GB U23 trialist 8, despite Whitelaw and Thoms best efforts to wash them down [rumours of hatred towards the new CUBC head coach are unfounded]. Cambridge went on to beat the U23s by four lengths in their first piece and a similar margin in the second.
A good training session was had by all involved and ICBC wish both Cambridge/Goldie and Oxford/Isis all the best for Boat Race day.
Libby Richards