Cantabs sparkle at Christmas Head

A total of 29 Cantabs crews put on a great show at the CCRC Christmas Head race on Saturday (1st December).  With rowers and scullers competing in classes from Junior 13 through to Masters F; men’s, women’s and mixed crews; single sculls through to eights, the Cantabs entries reflected the diversity of club activities.  A large proportion of crews raced in fancy dress, adding to the festive feel of the day.

Amongst the adults, W1 won their IM3 8+ category and were the fastest women’s VIII of the day, showing that reindeer outfits do not have to hamper rowing technique.  M1 were second overall, despite racing in 80s equipment and attire!  From seven masters crews there were wins for Susanna Holt in the Women’s Masters C/D 1x, and an InVeterEight IV+ in the Men’s Masters E/F category.

There were a total of 57 Cantabs juniors racing, including Nell Dix rowing with W1 and Sophie Goldberg with W3.  Despite the chilly conditions, one double decided swimming was a better option as they cornered under the Elizabeth Way bridge!  Eighteen of the juniors were racing for the first time and for some it was the first time they had rowed as far as the railway bridge.  One of the J13 4X+ crews was particularly youthful, comprising three 11-year-old and one 12-year-old oarswomen, yet they finished ahead of seven other crews!  Due to sickness among the original crew, Phil Gunning stepped into a Junior 14 4x+; sadly they had no competition once re-categorised as Men’s Novice 4x+, a problem shared by the Hills Road Mixed Novice 8+ who rowed well to be placed 29th overall, despite being held up by the crew ahead of them.  Winning junior crews were:

  • Women’s Novice 8+: Hills/Perse/Long Rd crew (racing as Noah’s Ark): Fiona Hardyman (cox) Colette Milbourn, Eve Beere, Lilith Scott, Imogen Kearney, Suzanna Wolff, Rebecca Wilson, Freya Clark-Coetzee, Alice Spiers
  • Men’s Junior 14 2X: Fergus Davies and Rufus Davies
  • Women’s Junior 14 4X+: Imogen Forbes (cox), Nell Weik-Clark, Harriet Finlayson, Ellen Wallwork, Niamh Cray
  • Women’s Junior 13 4X+: Nell Weik-Clark (cox), Imogen Forbes, Peony Bracey, Pippa Saunders, Pippa Evans

Full Xmas Head results are available from the CRC website.

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