A full weekend's racing

This Saturday will see a top coxed four from Upper Boats looking to defend our Junior Coxed Fours pennant in the Fours' Head on the Tideway.  They will be boating from St Paul's School.  The race starts at 1130, but they are no. 281 so will probably go past SPS at nearer 1230.

Meanwhile, the rest of Upper Boats, all of Colts, and all those Junior Colts sculling regularly will travel to Pangbourne.  Upper Boats and Colts will mostly race in coxed fours and quads in the morning division which starts at 1030.  Junior Colts will race singles in the morning and then doubles in the afternoon division which starts at 1330, where they will be joined by a few UB scullers.  Given the forecast, wellies (and possibly hip flask) look like the order of the day.  A copy of the draw and directions/ map links are all up on the website.  If you're new to all this and want to know how to spot the Eton boat trailers, we have a white truck and a black LR Discovery which both sport the Eton Vikings' flag.  There is a photo of the latter in an old post from back in January.

Head of the Charles results

Sunday afternoon saw a very pleasing end to this year's trip. The 1st VIII placed 2nd behind Marin Rowing Association, meaning that we have medalled in all five years that the event has been restricted to oarsmen attending High School. The 2nd VIII
moved up a couple of places to 19th, with a racy if slightly scrappy row, more than guaranteeing our second entry next year. This was an auspicious start to the year, with much depth staying back in Eton.

Sunset over Belmont Hill's cathedral of a gym

Relaxed Saturday

End of another good day. Some time at the course this morning followed by an excellent lunch hosted once again for us by the most generous Nuzzo family. All set for tomorrow...

VIII boating at Head of the Charles

All now in Boston safe and well and the sun is shining. Good day's practice on the course today and the boys are being royally entertained by their Belmont Hill hosts. Watching some racing and lunch with supporters tomorrow will provide some relaxation before the race on Sunday.

2nd VIII at Head of the Charles

Off to America

The competitive season for Upper Boats kicks off this weekend with two eights traveling to compete in the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.  We'll be starting 3rd and 20th and it looks like Abingdon are the only other British school making the trip.  They are sure to be strong competition.  As ever, it is difficult to know the lie of the land at this early stage of the year, and it is much harder to pin down all the variables in one's preparation than it is later in the season.  However, we've had a good run of things down at Masters', and the boys are looking forward to the trip.  As ever, we are enormously grateful to Belmont Hill for offering to host us so generously.  The regatta's own website has a wealth of information and provides an excellent results service when the time comes (www.hocr.org).  I'll look to send updates as and when, with hopefully a few pictures of a sunny and picturesque New England in the Fall...