Freshers weather first regatta
After disappointment at the cancellation of last year's event due to bad conditions, the weather hung on until the final day of racing in last term's Christ Church Regatta, which saw 145 novice crews in total take to the water for their first race down the 800m regatta course.
After four days of racing, New College Women's A clinched victory with a smooth and confident row in the Women's event, just pipping Keble A and Balliol A by one second in the new head race format decided upon for the last day due to deteriorating conditions. In the Men's event, Exeter A won convincingly, rowing strongly against the high winds to beat Christ Church A to first place by four seconds. A further two seconds behind were St John's A.
Taking place from Wednesday to Saturday of 7th Week, the regatta usually takes the form of a knock-out competition in which crews race side-by-side but rising waters and a change of flag status saw the colleges summoning their experienced and senior coxes and the regatta organisers deciding to change the style of event for the 32 crews who had reached the final day. Unable to buoy the course properly due to high winds, the fourth day took on the form of a head race, with crews racing against the clock to achieve the winning time over the shortened course of around 600m.
Despite over 1000 novice rowers and coxes taking to the water throughout the event, the regatta passed with only one major incident. Trinity Women's A were disqualified from the whole competition after dangerous coxing in their race saw them veer into the transit lane, causing OxILP Women's A to capsize.
Pembroke followed their double victory at last year's Summer Eights, fielding the largest number of crews and thus reaffirming their strong rowing tradition. Mention must also go to Teddy Hall Women's A, who were awarded the coveted title of fittest crew by the male marshals.
15th Jan 2004