Downing 2010 cover opt b_Layout 1 - Downing College - University ...

DOWNING COLLEGE 2009–2010C OLLEGE C LUBS AND S OCIETIESWOMEN’ S B OAT C LUBW1 and W2 were hugely successful in the Lent term. The Head-to-Head racein January was “a slog-fest of two back-to-back 2k races”, in which both crewsshowed their skill and strength, producing excellent results. W2 nudged TrinityFaT II out of their way as they passed them halfway down the course to finish30 seconds ahead of any other second boat. With two subs in the boat W1 hadgreat rows in both the races, finishing 2nd behind Trinity FaT.Saturday 13th February saw W2 claiming a second victory as they againdenied FaT by winning their division of the Pembroke Regatta. In an exclusiveinsight, Zara Goozee, W2’s stroke, recounts the day: “On February 13th, W2,including myself, competed in the Pembroke regatta, a knockout tournamentcomposed of 4 side by side races each measuring 1.1km. The majority of ourcrew having only rowed for approximately 4 months, and fresh from the terrorsof novice-ing in Michaelmas, we had very little racing experience and evensmaller expectations of our impending performance. The week preceding theregatta had been passed religiously practising our racing start, which after a lotof coaching and a considerable amount of soaking each other still terrified us.The coaching paid off (or perhaps it was just the adrenaline of the day!) and wemanaged to get off to four good, if not wet, starts. Having gained the upperhand within the first 20 strokes mentally set us up for the remaining 3minutes, allowing us to edge ahead and gain open water each time, an incrediblefeeling for most of us who had never experienced it before. Maintaining thatlead was perhaps, mentally, the only thought keeping us going and allowed usto take four clear wins and the Regatta overall which judging by my own feelings,and the reactions of the other girls, was a totally unexpected but amazing result!Now, all we need is a repeat performance in Bumps…The next day, Sunday 14th February, W1 pushed romantic thoughts fromtheir minds and ‘beasted it’ to win the Bedford Head”.M EN’ S B OAT C LUBAfter finishing Fairbairns 3rd last term, M1 were looking to overtake competitionTrinity FaT and Queens to stake their claim as fastest boat on the Cam. Theywere plagued with illness and injury, but a strong, recovered squad were able totrain together for a week in Biarritz in early January. Queen’s held the leadingplace in the division during the first half of the term, with Downing a consistent13 seconds behind them and only just behind second place FaT. However, atthe Robinson Head Downing’s full Lents crew raced together for the first timethis term. A strong, tidy row meant they finished the 2.7k in 8m35s, which was119