Sunday, June 24, 2007

Hereford 2007

So now I know what I've been missing all these years. Hereford is a lovely venue for a marathon, with interesting water & as Beth says, picturesque settings if you've got time to enjoy it.
Yet again, the junior contingent of the club were a sheer delight to be away with. Good company, great efforts all round; what else could you ask for.

Our Div 5/6 K2 race was a pleasure! Beth was a little reluctant to stroke the boat & pretended to be a bit nervous, That disappeared the instant Tony Spencer said, "Go!" We got a fairly clean start although we dropped a little with some paddle clashes in the first 100 metres. However, we were in the right place almost on the bank and after the leaders drifted slightly into the current, she was up there like a flash, calling for water, getting it & taking up the pace all in one breath. Having the inside, we kept the work to the top turn & after a try by the Leamington crew to drop us off the turn failed, Beth was eager to stay at the front. The Worcester crew took up the pace & worked hard to the bottom turn, gathering some stray Div 4 K1s on the way.

For reasons unknown to all but himself, the Leamington stroke steered himself & Matt Brown from Worcester inside the turn bouy, but remained pointing downstream. Quickly backing off & sprinting for the slacker water, we were soon following the Worcester crew up for the second lap.

What Beth doesn't mention in her post is that it was her first Hasler Race above Div 8, but the skill and accuracy with which she stroked our boat would have fooled most people. Thanks Beth for my most enjoyable Hasler race of this season & thanks to Sarah, Shobhanaa & Craig for making it a really enjoyable day.
Off to the start.
Is Craig chastising himself for only coming second?
Good place to start!
A bit crowded, but ...
... the gap opened & Beth made sure we got up there!
Big thanks to Sarah for the pictures of us!

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