Schools' Head

Conditions look set fair for the Head tomorrow (start 1415), and so it looks like last week's practice will have been fairly representative after all.  All three Upper Boats crews will go off 2nd in their divisions (2nd, 44th and 81st respectively).  Colts A are 88, Junior Colts A 108, Colts B 117 and Junior Colts B and C are 147 and 151.  Upper Boats will be looking to perform at their best first time, and so improve on Kingston and Reading.  Colts have been hit by some illnesses, but with encouraging results to date will have to see what they can deliver despite this adversity.  For Junior Colts, this is always a bit test, and a chance to see how much ground has been made up on other schools over the half, and what the targets for training camp and the early summer will be.

The VIII should be off Putney around 1430, and thereafter expect crews to have started at a rate of around 4 a minute (so it will be after 1500 before our last crews are nearing Putney).  We boat from Imperial College boathouse at Putney, so that is the place to meet other supporters and boys (after racing).  Hammersmith provides the best view of the course though, especially on the outside of the bend on the North (Middx) side.

 

You might have noticed that the lead BBC Sport article is currently about Constantine Louloudis (Captain of Boats 2010).  Many congratulations to him on his excellent performance at Trials (with pairs partner George Nash).

A little motivation before Schools' Head

Boys were incredibly fortunate tonight to have Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent talking to the Sports Society, in an evening hosted by Jim Rosenthal.  Steve and Matthew both spoke about how they had got into the sport of rowing, giving an insight into the commitment required to compete at the top level, and sharing thoughts on what motivated them to achieve the various goals that they set themselves through their careers.

Photo of The VIII with Steve and Matt attached, which will hopefully load up properly...

Not your typical Tideway experience...

More like being in Portugal really. Here's hoping it does actually end up being representative practice for next week.

Kingston Head

A rather last minute update I'm afraid (such is the end of the Lent half).  Tomorrow Junior Colts and Upper Boats will all race at Kingston (D block stay home for their specialisation meeting, as do I as I am organising it).  JC's, 1st and 2nd VIII will all go in the morning division at 1100, 3rd VIII go in the afternoon and should be joined by The VIII out for a second run.  Reading provided a useful marker for many, after quite a long gap since Wallingford, and the aim tomorrow will be to see if our crews can continue to close the gaps, largely on crews from Hampton, who are always strong in the head race season.

The Lake has been somewhat busier than usual this week, with GB trials this weekend gently elbowing our remaining crews onto the river.  Everything comes to a head during the late morning on Sunday, and there will be plenty of folk around the college following the performance of one Constantine Louloudis...