We participated in the second regatta of the season, EVSRA's "Spring Fling" on Lake Whitehurst at Botanical Garden. The day was great for rowing with warm temperatures and only a slight headwind. Our results were better than last week, with crews placing in their heats (MV8 with 3rd, M2V8 with a 2nd, WV4 with a 2nd, M2V4 with a 3rd, and MV4 with a 1st.) The sculling races (M1X and M2X) competed unopposed and the Charlies raced against the clock. Our mixed crews at the end of the day garnered worthwhile experiences, even if it was only on proper rigging!
While comparing times in different conditions is seldom done, looking at the time differences between our finishes and the fastest boat in each event can show any improvements made relative to the other teams. In the MV8 event, the delta t last week was +0:46.4. This week the delta t was +0:14.6, a significant improvement. In the M2V8 event the delta t last week was +0:43.9 compared to this week's delta t of +0:30.6, another improvement. It should be noted, however, that while NA won the MV8 event in the season opener, it was the crew from Great Bridge who won the M2V8 event last week, and they did not attend the Spring Fling regatta. In the four heats of the WV4 event that were run last week, Great Bridge again set the mark with the NA crew finishing with the third best time. Verses the NA time, our delta t last week was +2:39.2. This week our girls cut it to +0:58.0, a huge improvement. In the M2V4 event we decreased the delta t from +1:03.4 to +0:12.6, another huge improvement. Yes, we are improving each week relative to our competition. Our next race will be in 2 weeks. The schedule is on the right-hand sidebar of this blog.
Complete results are below, followed by some pictures of the day. Enjoy!
The MV8 crew on the launch dock getting ready to roll the boat into the water
The MV8 crew off the starting block. A bit wobbly!
The MV8 crew approaching their 3rd place finish.
I shot this sequence from the recovery dock. Our guys finished 3rd.
The M2V8 crew heading down to the start
The M2V8 returning from their race
Charlie T. and Charlie S. in the double. Their time of 5:59.6 was 8 seconds slower than the previous week, but they weren't pushed by any competition!
Charlie T. in Single-minded. His time of 7:06 was 6 seconds faster than the previous week, just racing against the clock.
Seniors Aubrey and Delaney - the stern pair in the WV4
Seniors Margaret and Haley - the bow pair in the WV4
Our results still show we are a work in progress. Highlights include the two sculling events where Charlie S and Charlie T finished 3rd in the M2X event, rowing the double down the course in 5:47.9, faster than all of our other crews except for the MV8 crew. Charlie T. also rowed the single to a 3rd in the M1X event, finishing one second ahead of a sculler from Great Bridge.
In the sweep events our MV8 had equipment issues and finished 4th in their heat (but still ahead of Granby's top eight.) Their time was respectable (and faster than the time posted by Hickory in the other heat) considering that the shell was propelled by only 7 rowers and the rudder was angled all of the way down the course. With a full contingent rowing and a straight rudder, this crew will be formidable. The immediate goal is to eat into the 50 seconds time difference posted by NA's top eight.
Our results in the sweep events in the fours were indicative of the time we've spent in the fours. The girls only got their completed shell as we were loading the trailer. The very first time they rowed as a crew was to the start line. The MV4 and M2V4 crews had only rowed as the stern four in their respective eights. We'll spend lots more time working in fours over the coming weeks.
Thanks to Margaret, Delaney, Andrew and TJ, with Nina coxing, four novices (Chase, Mark, Eileen and Julianna) competed in the Mixed 8 at the end of the day (in weather conditions that actually started to feel comfortable.) I hope to field a MNV next regatta.
Video was captured for the MV8 and Mdx8 events. I'll process the files and upload over the next few days.
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