downing text 2012_Layout 1 - Downing College - University of ...

DOWNING COLLEGE 2011–2012which ultimately strengthened both squads come Mays. A Men’s IV againcompeted in Head of the Charles in Boston, USA, and finished 13th of 39, witha time of 18.05, and a slight improvement in speed on last year’s crew.Unfortunately, the timing clashed with University IVs back on Cam, and M1were knocked out by Caius following a rather jet-lagged row. Meanwhile, W1won University IVs convincingly. Men and Women’s IVs also performed wellon the Tideway, particularly the Men who finished eighth of 65 IM2 crews. Astrong complement of novices joined the Club in Michaelmas, resulting in fifthplace for NM1 and ninth place for NW1 in the carnage that is Novice Fairbairn’sCup. We also continued the practice from last year of entering some races duringMichaelmas with joint senior-novice crews, which boosted morale and techniquequickly. The Senior Fairbairn’s Cup was won by W1 VIII and IV+, with the menfinishing fourth and third. In January the Club returned to Banyoles, with 37students (four VIIIs of rowers and five coxes) and three coaches. As ever, thetraining camp was a great success, and essential to maintaining a medium sizedclub which sheds a fair amount of triallists every year. Three novices on the campwent on to row in the first boats for Lent Bumps. In the Lents, no Downing boatwas bumped, which is something of which the Club ought to be proud. W1retained the Headship, and M1 stayed up at second, having had an excellentcrack at a very strong Caius crew. W2, M2 and M3 crews all bumped up, withM2 earning blades. Following such a successful campaign for all of our crews,Downing was in second place in the Michell Cup. In the University Boat Races,wins were achieved by Sarah Moir-Porteous in CUW, and James Wedlake andPiran Tedbury in CULRC. Felix Wood and Sarah Smart represented Goldie,and Christabel Lines rowed in CUWLRC. When combined with our results inthe Lents, this illustrates the strength and depth of the Club. In the run up toMays, M1 raced at Kingston and Wallingford Regattas, with good results buttantalizingly remaining just behind Caius. Bedford Regatta was cancelled, so W1raced on Cam and have so far been unbeaten this term. During Mays, W1remained Head of the River for the second year running, whilst M1 alsomaintained their place behind Caius, with some true gutsy rowing. Both W2and M3 bumped up, and M2 moved a few places down but are still the highestplaced second men’s crew. The “Rugby Boat” is better left unmentioned. As wasthe case last year, the Women were unfortunately unable to enter Women’sHenley due to a clash with the May Bumps, although the Men are able tocompete at Henley Royal Regatta this year. The Club will be entering a IV in thePrince Albert and will have to go through the qualifying races during May Week.Looking ahead to next year, both women’s and men’s squads will lose three orfour rowers (either due to graduation or re-trialling). However, there should bestrong second boat rowers who can move up.199