Coaches Race Report:

Windy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

One word race report this time that is it - thankyou.

 

 

OK maybe not.

 

But it was - windy that is. Brought along a gazebo with sides to give shelter - but no chance to peg it down on concrete.

 

Went out for the first race - the race before us was delayed considerably trying to get everyone to line up. Then our turn came and the same again.

 

Off we went after lining up countless times and within a few metres we were getting so very close to Amathus Bees - they were pulling away from us and it was all our helm could do to pull in behind them just missing their tail (And that was a helm from the Amathus club)

 

Oh well these things happen.

 

Got back to a stressed out support crew (Anne) who on top of looking after the children as desperatly trying to hang on to the gazebo - so down it came - almost as quick as it went up.

 

2nd race - not any better (guest helm this time from one of the Ducth crews over on a jaunt - very friendly guy - not an easy introduction to the Liverpool race course). An improved time but still left us 4th of the Standard crews.

 

The drizzle and wind did not a lot to cheer the crew - One thing did though !!

 

The organisers decided to change the schedule and got rid of one of the 500m rounds - Why they insist on having uneccesary races I will never know !! Anyway this time they made a sensible decision.

 

Onto the 500's. WE got off to a great start - first away from the line and held it all the way. I think it was John of Typhoon Tigers helming - we beat Worcester by 0.4 seconds and we all know we could have beaten them a bigger margin if Lisa had turned round to face the way the rest of us were paddling instead of marvelling at John's muscle (oopps sorry typo - I meant muscles).

 

That race stood us in good stead as we could then rest until the semi-final (no repecharge for us).

 

Our semi-final saw us pipped at the post by the Dutch crew United Dragons - only 0.35 seconds in this one.

 

We went through to the final as fastest as the Dutch crew had to leave (having a fairly long drive home I guess) so we were up against Thames Titans and Worcester. Thames won their semi in a time 0.01 seconds slower than our time and beating Worcester by 0.74 seconds.

 

The final therefore had all 3 crews racing with a total spread of just 0.75 seconds.

 

We started without John helming us this time (sad faces from the girls) and it no doubt affected our start as we were second off the line - We really have to do something about that -  rare event - starting is one of our strengths.

 

Thames got a flyer and we were working hard, we came up alongside and I swear we got our nose in front after 350m, but it was not to be and they pulled through to win by 0.72 seconds with Worcester trailing in 3rd, 4 seconds behind.

 

That got us 4th in the Standard league and put us into equal 2nd place in the league with Worcester.

 

Overall not a bad day - but we must get ou best tiem(2mins 2seconds) more consistent if we are to stand a chance of competing for the honours in the League at the end of the racing season.

 

So time for some harder training then methinks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 John