In the last head race of 2011, Imperial shone spectacularly as scullers from the club took five of the top ten places, including the all important headship for Adam Freeman-Pask. Eight IC individuals made the top 25. With Christmas looming, ICBC can go into the holidays with smiles on their faces after a good first term.
Photo Courtesy of Nick Ablitt
Tideway king [again] Adam Freeman-Pask showed his strength in his single once again with the overall and Elite category win in 21:09.02. In spite of a penalty for “unsportsmanly behaviour” for telling a marshall at the start to “shut up”, Adam took the win ahead of Henry Pelly. Disaster struck for Sam Scrimgeour on the way up to the start at Chiswick step when one of his blades broke. Fortunately, word reached ICBC and a new set were sent up with an umpires’ launch. This obviously didn’t phase the Scotsman as he took 5th place overall and second in Elite Lwt (21:20.67).
Within five seconds of each other were Wilf “Team Kimberley” Kimberley (8th), Hal Bradbury (9th) and Josh Butler (10th). Team Kimberley and JB were both 4th in their categories (Eli Lwt – 21:33.66 and Eli 21:37.50 respectively), while Hal had to settle for second in IM2 (21:34.21). Tim Richards added another IC name to the Novice pennant as he won the category and 15th place overall (21:43.95) [starting a shivering number 431 obviously didn’t phase the banter wizard!]. Imperial’s kiwi, [not Don, the other one] Mark Patterson, made it a one-two in the novice category, coming in 25th overall (21:53.03). Rory “Rozza’s here” Sullivan completed the top 25 taking 24th place overall, just 0.04s ahead of Mark (21:52.99, 4th in IM2).
Photo Courtesy of Nick Ablitt
Next up were housemates/comedy duo Simon Steele and Sam Cottrell who came 9th and 10th in IM2 (50th and 61st overall, 22:14.37 and 22:22.07 respectively), despite Sam’s penalty for “no boat ID” [Press Coordinator Richards will leave it for the boys to argue over bragging rights and for third housemate, Alex Gillies, to referee]. As well as the top two in the Novice category, Leo Carrington took 5th (56th overall, 22:17.89) and Dan Powell [who was often mistaken for Leo] took 7th (81st overall, 22:33.70). Dan Alloway, who earlier in the year raced for Imperial in the oldest rowing race in the world, Doggett’s Coat and Badge, also put in a sterling performance, coming 18th (167th overall, 23:18.73).
Similar to Richards, Gareth Brown and Matt Monteith were starting down in the low 400s but by the time they started the stream had picked up a bit bringing home 3rd and 6th in the IM3 Lwt category (44th and 79th overall, 22:09.52 and 22:31.48 respectively). Double’s partners from the summer, Ben Anstiss and Tobias Whitting were split into their respective singles (127th and 150th overall, 7th in IM3 and 6th in IM1, 22:58.67 and 23:09.08 respectively). Anstiss was heard exclaiming “I just couldn’t get it up” [referring, of course, to the rate] on his return to the embankment. Maybe a return to German efficiency is required…
The women of ICBC, although depleted through illness, also made an impact, with three [well two officially] in the ten fastest women of the day. Michelle Vezie would have taken fifth place had she not been racing time only in place of Lucinda Gooderham (22:49.75). Michelle’s loss was Mathilde Pauls gain though as 3rd place in W Elite was hers for the taking (124th overall, 22:56.95). Klara Weaver [who had not been involved in “medic bonding” – aka boozing – the night before], took 6th place in the same category (224th overall, 23:49.32). Lenny Kennedy couldn’t quite match her win of last year in W Senior taking second instead along with 8th fastest woman overall (23:06.00). Last but not least, starting 526th [third from last], was Georgie Phillips. After dealing with the cold at the start and putting in a sterling effort, Georgie brought home 3rd place in W IM3 Lwt (24:16.28). She can take solace in the fact that, had she been entered in W IM1 Lwt instead, she would have won by a good 7s.
Photo Courtesy of Nick Ablitt
After a day’s racing, the Annual ICBC Dinner followed at the Rembrandt Hotel in South Kensington. In a change from last year, a most festive feeling was obvious [apparently having on the first weekend on December versus the last in November warrants Christmas crackers on the tables and Christmas trees in the halls]. Last minute speeches were given by World Champion Annie Vernon, who had only been asked to speak four days earlier, and coach Stu Whitelaw, as head coach Don McLachlan was stuck at home with illness. Between the stories of squat toilets from the former and heckles to the latter of “Let’s do some roll-ups”, an excellent time was had by all. This continued well into the wee hours at Piccadilly Institute, despite the dripping sweat.
To all, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
May 2012 be just as smashing
Libby Richards