Bourne at Chiswick Regatta 2012

My earnest entreaties have been answered with more than one report of an excellent Sons showing at Borne Regatta. Here from Rory, is an overview of the day, followed by a perspective from the winning men's IM2 4- crew written by Sam, and the single sculler's view from Anna. 

  “Squally winds, heavy rain and overcast skies can only mean one thing… that’s right, regatta season has started.  And so it was that Sons sent an armada of crews to Borne @ Chiswick Bridge Regatta.  Nine entries across three boat classes meant that almost 30 members of Sons were racing throughout the day with Sons crews being involved in both the 4th race of the day and the penultimate.  Winter training on the Tideway however must have some advantages as Sons managed an impressive haul of 5 wins from those 9 events kicking the season off to a successful start.

The Senior Men’s IM3 4+ (Horton (cox), Farley, Long, Darby & Hodgkinson) were first in to action at 9.15am, but were unlucky against a strong LSE crew, resulting in a quick return back to Linden House and a long wait until their next race in the IM3 8 at 5pm. 

The Novice crews were out in force and were represented in the Mens Nov 4+ and Womens Nov 4+ and 8+ (apparently the strength of the Men’s Novice 8 had scared off all the opposition!) and the men were quick to settle in to regatta form winning their first ever side by side heat against Eastbourne College.  Unfortunately their early promise led them to a semi final clash against a very familiar looking LSE crew and the Men’s Nov 4+ (Maunder (cox), Harrison, Lund, Brinker & Rees) had to take comfort with some good racing experience to take them forward for the season.

The Women’s Nov 4+ (Crane (cox), Lazarevic, Austin, Parr & Main) also had a flying start, taking a good local scalp against Putney Town in a very closely fought content.  Their ¼ length victory was enough however to set up a final against the American School London and after some initial confusion at the start line (resulting in a premature row over by ASL and a subsequent appeal) the women showed a great deal of composure and mettle to row out a clear verdict in their first ever final.  A great result for a crew who have all come through the Sons “Learn to Row” programme.

The Women’s Nov 8 (as Nov 4+, plus Pinheiro, Lugg, Wanot & Bell) unfortunately couldn’t capitalise on the success of the 4+ but rowed well against a well drilled Thames 8 who went on to win the Novice 8+ category.

A closely fought heat in the Men’s IM2 4- was brought to a swift end by the disqualification of Kings College for repeated steering warnings setting up the final against HSBC.  The Sons crew (Haeata, Rutterford, Cook & O’Hare) had a length lead by the half way point and never looked like giving it away, finishing comfortably and securing another win for the day.

Conditions meant it was a day more suited for larger boats, but Sons still enjoyed success in the singles as both Faith Jamieson (Mas B) and Anna Caffyn (Mas A) showed great determination to win their respective races (against MAABC and Furnivall).  Faith and Anna led from the front in both their races and wins never looked in doubt.  The long row home against the tide post event was probably not the celebration either had in mind but success was well earned.

Although not the final win of the day (that pleasure fell to Anna) it was the Men’s IM3 8, a straight final against Furnivall, that was the hotly anticipated event.  After the withdrawal from the Dewar shield earlier in the year, the Men (as IM3 4+, plus Tchoubouroff, Versteege, Price & Foden) were keen to correct the Hammersmith pecking order.  An aggressive start put the crew 2 ½ lengths up by the half way marker and from there rowed home to a comfortable win.  A pleasing result for the men, but tougher opposition will be quick to follow.

Barring the weather, it was great event at Chiswick and the Sons supporters had plenty to cheer throughout the day.  A great start to the season and hopefully a sign of the season to come.

Sons are racing again this weekend at the Chiswick Amateur Regatta (Sat) and Wallingford (Sunday).”