The Men’s Squad's first venture on to the (very windy and wet) summer regatta circuit post (the very sunny and warm) training camp yielded some satisfying results.
The IM3 8+ reached their final following a solid second place finish in their heat. A valiant battle resulted in a 5th place finish against a strong field of school boys.
The IM2 4+ also reached the final after a strong 2nd place in their heat after their training camp battle partners, Twickenham RC. The crew put in a solid performance in the final but unfortunately could not make up time lost in the early part of the race and finished 4th.
The IM1 4- tested their steering abilities to the max on the Dorney Lake course in blustery conditions. The Four dominated the buoys and conditions but unfortunately not the opposition. A decent row saw them finish 5th.
The IM2 8+ (Linehan, Wagner, Davenport, Woods, Borgstede, Clemett, Casserley, Mallinson, Campbell – cox) were the last RRC Men’s crew of the day to race. In the heat, alone in lane 6, the 8 locked onto a cracking rhythm, rowing through the field to an easy first place and good lane draw for the final. The final turned out to be the last race of the day and the drama was saved to the very end. Kings Chester took a classic schoolboy lead over RRC from the start, which they maintained until half way. As the crews battled for second place, two other crews clashed. The umpire raised the red flag. A bell was rung. And Reading snuck into 2nd. That's the way it finished. However, the umpire was not done yet, disqualifying the clashing crew and ordering a re-row. Kings Chester were fuming and refused to row. As dusk swept in, the RRC crew lined up at the start to embark on their 5th 2k piece of the day. Of course Reading stormed it locking onto another great rhythm to take a win by two lengths.
