In other news, Anna Corderoy (M.13) is currently trialling for the cox's seat in the GB para-rowing squad, and was selected for their only international regatta so far this year.

Gavirate International Para-Rowing Regatta, 12–14th May
Saturday PR3 Mxd 4+ (5 entries)
1st	7:11.90	GBR*
Sunday PR3 Mxd 4+ (4 entries)
1st	7:16.07	GBR*
*Cox: Anna Corderoy (M.13)

Rowing On, 19th May
Men's crews (27 from 32 to qualify)
1st	2:47.0	Keble III
7th	3:00.0	St Catherine's III
27th	3:33.0	Merton III
Women's crews (28 from 28 to qualify, ie all crews)
1st	3:14.0	Keble II
23rd	4:02.0	St Catherine's II

Henley Royal Regatta Qualifiers, 23rd June
Temple Cup (9 from 50 to qualify)
≤9th	?	Pembroke Coll (Oxf)	Qualified
10th	6:32.6	Eton College 'A'	Fastest non-qualifier
21st	6:42.7	Balliol & St Catherine's	Failed to qualify
29th	6:50.8	Jesus, Oxf	Failed to qualify

Logo of the Balliol/Catz Henley composite

Coach Rory Copus congratulating the Men's 1st Eight (Photo: JBN)

James Winder, Men's Captain

A strong result in Torpids for the men's crews last term had gifted us with a hungry squad coming into Trinity. Capitalising on this by taking two boats on a training camp in the Lake District, ambition kept on growing. By the time term had started M1's ambition had got the stage of wanting to compete with full university crews and so BUCS regatta called, with a strong performance particularly in the C final itself. Next on the fixture list was Bedford regatta where, sadly a narrow defeat to Oriel, the Torpids headship crew, saw progress drawn to a halt in the final. After Bedford we knew that starts were where we wanted to work. Meanwhile M2 had already been working on their starts, knowing this was what would make the difference in their campaign.

When summer eights eventually began M1 and M2 were joined by the usual suspects, alumni and rowing `retirees' ready for one last Eights week (until next year). Despite an unlucky draw M3 did themselves proud, with an net gain of one bump. For M1 and M2 a slightly more rigorous preparation, particularly on their starts, meant that spectators were lucky to see a full minute of rowing. Dispatching a long list of crews and only once having to row beyond the Gut. With four bumps apiece it was two sets of blades for the trophy cabinet.

Usually that would be the end of my report, but this year collaboration with Balliol saw a Catz composite entry in the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley. Missing out on qualification didn't tell the full story here, racing in a time faster than several notably strong crews and setting a precedent of entering were the real aims and were certainly achieved. Showing yet again how Catz men are ready to take it up another gear and challenge those at the very head of the Isis and beyond.

The Men's 2nd Eight closing on Magdalen II for their 3rd bump

The Women's 2nd Eight 'collective'

The Women's 1st Eight on the Saturday (Photo: SQS)

The 1st Eight benefitted from a some experienced reinforcements since Torpids. Even so, judging by the number of times I was called upon to cox or coach radically different permutations, they seemed to struggle to settle into a consistent training regime. They ended the week level, being bumped by a fast Linacre crew on the Thursday and then, finally, bumping a slow Worcester crew on the Saturday — the first bump by a Catz women's crew this year, in their last race of the year. It was a considerable improvement on losing 10 places in Torpids, but, at the risk of seeming harsh, I'd hoped for more.

... he's done so much to raise the profile of the Boat Club throughout College. The trip to Japan is the obvious example, setting a precedent for St Catherine's to compete on a level only he had the ambition and commitment to reach for and organise. [Also] a training camp in Nottingham, one later in the year in Holland and then this year coming back again to do most of the work for our trip to the Lake District.

... often single-handedly making things like camps, boat sales and outings come together, George has been vital in the smooth running of the Club.

Georgios Ntentas receiving this year's Ben Sylvester medal from RS Chairman Kevin Skinner.

Anu Dudhia (email: anu.dudhia@physics.ox.ac.uk )