Newsletter#2, Trinity Term, 1995 (16th June)

Dear Alumnus,

After the last newsletter I had some complaints from the Men's 2nd VIII that only the 1st VIIIs got a mention. Also, Cheryl wanted the names of the Women's 2nd VIII recorded for reasons which will become obvious. So here they are then, all on their own (I'd have mentioned members of the Men's 3rd VIII too, but some of them may be planning future careers in high public office):

Men's 2nd Eight	Women's 2nd Eight
B Cennydd Richards	B Anna-Marie Ullmann
2 Kirk Limacher	2 Kay Scarpello
3 Alex Frame	3 Mavi Tzaig
4 Stephen Bethel	4 Kirsty Lyall
5 Ed Smith	5 Britta Jacobson
6 Jon Bloomberg	6 Sarah Poolman
7 Carl Mossfeldt	7 Frances Shattock
S Matt Holdcroft	S Jane Golley
C Howard Cohen	C Sarah Askew

I haven't received a report from the Men's Captain, but I do know that the Men's 1st VIII were bumped by Exeter on the Wednesday and then rowed over for the next three days. Laird Reed rowed, Frank Wagner didn't, and Richard Tinkler coached. Um.... well, that's about it.

I know a little more about the Men's 2nd VIII since I coached them for a while. They were all novices who'd spent the first three weeks of term coaching themselves (don't ask) and when I came across them, it looked like it, too. After two weeks of intensive therapy, including a couple of tantalising trips up to Godstow never quite finding enough time to stop off at the Trout ("It's getting late boys, time to spin and head back to the Isis") they came to Eights Week looking, well, to be honest, still pretty rough. "Is that your crew?" Penny Chuter (OUBC Head Coach) asked as I cycled past - I'm ashamed to admit I gave an evasive answer. Still, weird and wonderful are the ways of bumping races: they caught Wolfson II and Hertford II on Wednesday and were overlapping St. Peter's II on Thursday when the race was stopped (due to the inevitable pile-up in the Gut) and were probably wondering what all the fuss was about. Reality, in the form of a couple of tough full-course row-overs followed. Still, up two places isn't bad considering it was their first bumps race and, for three of them, their first term's rowing.

Which brings us to the Men's 3rd VIII. How can mere words ever do full justice to this crew? They came dressed as 'Supermen', complete with theme music, spare pairs of socks (funny how all the women I spoke to had noticed where they had stuffed them) and, on the last day, the full Clark Kent-to-Superman strip-off in front of OUBC. Which led to the previously unconsidered question: "Just where does Superman keep his boots while he's being Clark Kent?" (odd that you never think of these things until you see someone try it). I was so embarrassed on their first appearance that I hastily removed my Catz waterproof lest anyone thought I was associated with them. Actually, I think I saw Bluebell, one of their coaches, keeping distinctly low-key as well, although Elliott seemed shameless enough to stand out on the pontoon and wave them good-bye as they pushed off. Unfortunately they had seat problems on the first day and got bumped - I suspect it was something to do with the lack of friction from their shiny new red knickers. Still, if you think that's embarrassing, imagine how the two crews they subsequently bumped must be feeling.

From Cheryl Hardy, the Women's Captain:

Catz women have been very successful with their rowing this term. The 1st VIII, feeling mean and dangerous with new ultralight hatchet blades (the men were very jealous) moved up two places to end up 6th on the river. We bumped Univ just before the Gut on Wednesday, and Brasenose at Timms on Friday. On Saturday our motto 'an inch a stroke' came into play as we closed on Somerville, but, although they managed to hold us off, their expressions of huge relief at the finish line showed us that we had them worried - keep worrying until next year Somerville! I'd like to thank our coaches this term: Matt Pinsent, Steve Eyles, Nigel Manson, Anu Dudhia and Susan Erb for their time and efforts.

The 2nd VIII were hugely successful this year. They began with the 3rd fastest qualifying time to be placed top of Division V, which, of course, meant two races on Wednesday, much to their horror. Having successfully rowed over, they then had to row as the Sandwich Boat in Div.IV an hour later. Their motivation to bump was therefore great so as to avoid any extra pain the rest of the week! By Saturday, tensions were high as they now had three bumps - SEH II on Wednesday, Worcester II on Thursday and Osler House III on Friday. The pop of champagne corks could be heard as the triumphant crew caught Wadham II before Donnington Bridge, giving them their much deserved blades. Thanks to Bluebell Martin for substituting in on Saturday due to illness. Much credit must be given to their coach Nigel Manson for his dedication and enthusiasm with the crew despite having finals.

The 3rd VIII had some problems sorting out times when they could all go out on the river and unfortunately failed to qualify for Eights, but should be congratulated on their efforts this term and thanks go to Natalie Waterfield and Anu Dudhia for coaching them. Occasionally it was also possible to spot, on the river, a women's fun VIII drawn from about 14 casual, but enthusiastic rowers.

Finally, all that remains for me to say is thank you to everyone that has helped me this year, including my Vice Captain, Nikki Collis, and Secretary, Natalie Waterfield and last, but not least, to Anu for all his words of wisdom.

Anu Dudhia (e-mail: dudhia@atm.ox.ac.uk)

Links

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Oxford University Rowing Clubs

St Catherine's College Boat Club

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