KCLBC enjoyed their most successful visit to the Cambridge Winter Head in years, winning in the Men’s and Women’s Senior IVs, the Women’s Novice IV and the Women’s Senior VIII. The weekend also saw the fresher squads gain their first racing experience, holding their own against other London Colleges.
Arriving at Stourbridge Common while it was still dark, following the usual race against time to rig the boats, the Women’s Novice IV were first down the course. Spurred on by support at the rail bridge, some remarkable overtaking was seen from crews, including the Men’s Novice VIII overtaking Girton College BC which was caught on video. In all, KCLBC raced 12 boats over the course of the day, not to mention a welcome return from the alumni crew, Juniper BC, clad in their finest racing attire, who put in a respectable effort to finish 4th in the Senior Men’s Invitational VIIIs.
KCLBC provided an overwhelming presence at the prize-giving ceremony, even remembering to clap for a winning ICSM crew. Following the presentation of engraved hip-flasks to the winning crews, there was also the announcement of the five fastest crews of the day overall (weighted according the event), in which the Men’s Senior IV came third overall, taking a cash prize.
After a hard days racing, the squad was in a celebratory mood. The squad was joined by Juniper BC for the traditional curry and social, providing a chance for the squad to bond and the fresher group to integrate with the senior squad, with the theme of ‘St Ginians’, which saw many school girls outfits (a disturbing number from the Men’s squad). Sunday saw punting on the Cam, before heading back to London.
The weekends results stand the squad in good stead for the Head season, and our placing against other London colleges puts us in a good position for upcoming intercollegiate racing at the Allom Cup.
Unfortunately, prior to the race while marshalling, their boat picked up a tree branch which became wedged between their fin and rudder. This only became noticeable as they approached the start, by stroke Tom Fielder as the branch showed during the stroke during the build under the bridge for the first time.