Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 6th Oct 2014

Evenin' All,

It's not every club that can boast boats in two big races on two of the continent's most significant rivers on the same day - 15 Cygnets spent their Saturday racing down the Thames and the Rhine.

First up, the Pairs Head, where Bart & Gav were our only pairs entry, racing at IM2.  Their time of 15:21 (over the slightly longer course this year) meant that they came in a very creditable 6th out of 22 in their category.

In the Mixed double, Sid and Bec (BBLRC) were in Mas.B/C, and clocked a very swift 15:01, the fastest in their category!  (Unfortunately, a slower older crew had a bigger handicap, so robbed them of the pennant).

And in the Masters double, Neil J and partner (AK) came in at 17:11 in Mas.G/H.

Well done to all crews - and to those that helped out marshalling on the water and on the bank.

Over in Germany, Cygnet and Barnes Bridge hit the Rhine Marathon hard.  Six crews between the two clubs might be a record, and sure enough, we secured a podium finish.  Congratulations to Rob H, Stu, Ian, and Matt B, coxed by Jutta L (Benrath), who won a well-deserved bronze medal in the Seegig category.

With 25 of us flying out, this was a significant logistical exercise - and our Benrath friends' remarkable hospitality and good humour continues to astonish.  For example, 24 oarsmen & women racing = 6 (massive) boats to ferry to the start and from the finish = 6 experienced coxes required (plus the 7 for the Benrath boats), plus taking over the club gym, and basement, booking dinner, tickets to the beer tent etc. etc.

Highlights too numerous to mention, but included:

- the happy throng arriving in Dusseldorf Altstadt on a sunny Friday afternoon on German Reunification Day

- Stu's face when he realised he'd medalled

- your Chairman and Mucha dancing to Tina Turner (the earth literally moved under our feet)

Lowlights were few, limited only to:

- the hire-company failing to produce the minibus we'd booked (but suddenly fleets of Benrath cars appeared to drive us back and forth).

- Stu's face when he realised that despite medalling, he'd still been beaten by a 75-year-old from Parrs Priory

- your Captain's hungover response to a local journalist's query about what we liked most about the parade ("the tractors").

On our side, particular thanks are due to chief cat-herders Marj & Neil.  Amongst other things, Marj coordinated the record entry - and still managed to do the bakery-run on both mornings (and make the coffee machine work).  Whilst as whipman, Neil had the best part of two and a half grand passing through the london-bus-purse over the weekend.

After all that excitement, it's back to work...

This week
Tues - Squad Erg Night - 3x 8ms (6min r28, 2min r30).

Thurs - Circuits.  7.00pm at the club, or 7.15pm (sharp) at the school. Bring a towel and a water bottle.

Thurs - there should also be post-circuits food - not sure who, but watch this space.

This weekend

Sat am - 5k erg test.  Oh yes.  If you can't do it with others this weekend, deadline is Tues 14th to post a time (and remember, any time is faster than no time).

Sun morning outings - crew lists to follow.

Sun 10am - coached erg in the shed.  Aimed mainly at the newest guys, but anyone is welcome.  We'll go through the stroke, and for those that are ready/ able, finish with a timed 5k piece.

That's all for now.

D