NTUBC sent a record number of crews to a blisteringly cold race at Boston Head. We had 11 crews from across all four squads racing the 5km course. 

 

Division 1 saw our senior men's (IM1.8+) and women's (IM3.8+) eights race the full 5km course. The men set off 3rd in amongst a field of 4 competitors and after a strong start they quickly overtook the crew ahead and managed to keep the strong rhythm all the way to the line, finishing 1st in their category and setting the 2nd fastest time of the day. Shortly after, the women stormed down, again setting off 3rd in their category. They quickly settled into their rhythm and overtook the boat in front and even with minor equipment failure and an unconventionally sized cox their determination to win kept them going all the way to the line, taking the second win for NTU of the day.

 

Division 2 saw our novice women (W.NOV.8+), two senior men's quads (M.Nov.4x & M.IM2.4x) and two senior women crews comprised of a double (W.IM3.2x) and a pair (W.IM3.2-) take to the water. All crews performed well but notable performances came from the novice men's quad who won their category and finished 3 minutes ahead of the closest competition. The women's novice 8+, who dealt with the pressure of their first ever race, were expertly coxed by our Head Novice Coordinator Jessica Bond and had a positive start to their racing careers. Finally, the men's IM2 quad who came together as a crew late and despite not having practised a single race piece, they finished an impressive close second to a quick crew from De Montfort University.

 

Division 3 saw two crews finishing up the day's racing from a quad (W.IM2.4x) comprised of the senior women's 8+ who won in the morning and the novice men's eight (M.Nov.8) who looked to start their racing season. Starting 2nd in their category the women’s quad had a strong start pushing away from the crews behind them from the first stroke. This carried through to a rhythmic middle section of the race where they were looking to hunt down the crew ahead of them. Despite having a powerful finish they just missed out on first place by 2.8 seconds. The men's novice eight finished up the day in style, showing just how far they have come in such a short amount of time and doing the club proud.

 

A long day of racing in cold conditions was made well worth it by every crew who took part and the notorious loud cheers from the bank.