Marlow Old Men ventured out once again to the new Thames Valley Head Trials, organised by Marlow Regatta at Dorney Lake, Eton on Sunday 25th January. Having chiseled the ice of his car, MS-J arrived at the rowing club to find the tow truck, with it's exceptional cab heater, buried in even thicker ice. Having eventually made a hole in the ice big enough to see through the windscreen he set off down the A404 and M4 into the steadily rising sun for the short journey to Dorney Lake.
Arriving at the lake to the view of perfectly flat water, spirits rose hoping that the conditions would remain. Once again the cold weather bringing out the speed rigging of the old hands, though we hoped the extra ice on the hulls would melt when place in the water. Ashley, being fashionable late, arrived just in time to boat.
First up, and crew number 1, was the Vet B 8o combination (Ashley [cox], Richard C, Simon H, Neil McC, Mark D, JY, James T, Mark D, MS-J). First boat off at the first TVH Trials! 2000m is obviously not enough to warm up the muscles (and lungs) of even the younger vets. Still they blasted quickley out of the blocks, settling to around 33spm, which they maintained down the course, despite the comlaining bodies. Exeter College starting number 2, currently the 2nd boat on the river at Oxford Uni, only manage to gain 4 seconds over the 1900m trial.
Also off in the 1st division was the Vet C 4+ combination (Kate T [cox], Mark B, Chris L, Tony E, Ed H). This is the boat to be in in the group, being winners at Wallingford Head. Once again, despite the slight change in line up, they put in a storming row to be fastest Vet 4+ on the day.
Division 2 saw the first Vet C8o combination take to the water (Ashley [Cox], Tony E, Ed H, Mark H, Mark D, Nick G, Chris L, Mark B, James T). Despite nearly being penalised for paddling down the course before the start, they put in an excellent row, finishing in 6m36.7s. Also off in Div 2 were the Vet B 4- (Richard C, Simon H, Neil McC, MS-J). Despite this being their first paddle together in the line up (and boat) they put in a respectable row to finish 15th overall. MS-J deciding it was only fair that both sides should visit the lane buoys on their side of the lane.
Division 3 saw a second Vet C8o combination racing (Kate [cox], Richard C, Ed H, Mark H, Mark D, Tony E, Chris L, Mark B, MS-J). Blasting off at 39, they settled to an excellent rythmn at 34. Roared on by Simon, between coffing fits, they lifted for the finish to cross the line in 6m36.7s - identical to the 1st combination to 3/1000ths of a second!
The Vet C8o's were declared the winners on handicap (6m17s to the Vet B 6m28s) with medals for both C 8s. Boats were returned safely to MRC with the help of one of the juniors, and the trailer even reversed into the small gap between T1 and the clubhouse.
A good day all round and medals for all (bar Neil, Simon & JY) ;o)