After a few weeks of pre-season training at the start of September, our season official kicked off on the 17th of September- the day of the scullers head.
Scullers’ Head
UL entered 25 scullers into the head, which is one of the highest UL entries into the event.
Leading the way was Georgie Robinson Ranger who placed 3rd overall and Joe Middleton 15th overall on the men’s side. There were several other encouraging results for the men and the women, including a Novice Pennant win for Tristan Weiss in his first ever sculling race.
For those not racing in the scullers head, they took up the far easier challenge of a 5k ergo test!
Wingfield’s
Georgie Robinson Ranger raced in the Wingfield’s. After a strong start and some interesting umpiring, three of the crews came together and GRR came out the wrong side of the clashing, setting the order of the race thereafter.
GB Trials
After some strong performances on the ergo and some big PB’s on the Saturday, the UL trialists were ready to take to the water on the Sunday.
The new combination of Tom Cross and Josh Burke lead the UL 2-s home, with a strong 7th place overall. In the singles Joe Middleton improved on his scullers head result and placed 12th overall and fastest U21.
In the women’s race the UL squad found themselves in the unfamiliar position of sculling at this first trial. Georgie Robinson Ranger was the highest placing UL athlete in 14th position, with a strong performance from newcomer Jessie Martin placing 11th U23 and 6th U21.
Fours Head
Not to be outdone by the scullers head, UL once again put out a large flotilla into the last big Tideway head of the year, with ten entries.
Leading the charge in the men’s and women’s races were the 4x’s, with the men placing tenth overall and 7th fastest 4x and the women placing an impressive 4th overall.
The M4+ had a strong race, placing well against the only other full university crews of CUBC and OUBC, splitting their blue boats and beating oxford brookes student 4+.
The mens academic 4- placed 2nd in the event.
Result of the day was from the womens academic 4+, who won the academic pennant.
Rutherford Head
The annual UL pilgrimage north did not disappoint. With strong opposition from Newcastle, Durham and Edinburgh, this was the first real big test of the autumn term on away turf.
Unfortunately, the women suffered slightly with illness and some injury before the event but still had a good row, losing to a very strong crew from Edinburgh and Durham. The women’s 2nd eight took on a local sandbank and unfortunately lost that battle so didn’t row out.
The men had to be on their A game as they took on a strengthened Durham boat which made the semifinal of HRR aswell as a Newcastle on their home water. After a well-executed race, the 1st 8+ came away victorious with a ten second win over Durham and the second 8+ narrowly just off the fastest second 8 of the day. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghTbncLDlhE
In the second division the men were the fastest 4- of the day.
Ergo Trials and Christmas Dinner
Finally we had very very strong 5k ergo trials to finish the season with the majority of the squad getting a personal best times and almost everyone far surpassing what they were predicted.
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The 5ks were followed by the amazing Christmas dinner organised by Glen Hill helped by other alumni It was hugely appreciated and a really great evening. Thanks to Glen and everyone involved and to Rusty for providing the wine.
We have had an erg-heavy Christmas training program and are excited to see what will come with 202