Competitions
Posted: November 20th, 2005, 2:12 pm
by [old] NavigationHazard
Here's the full race report off the C2 UK site:<br /><br />The 2005 British IRC is taking place right now. If you're anywhere near Birmingham, you're strongly urged to put down your roast and get to the National Indoor Arena. <br /><br />Race 1<br />Women 30-34 Hwt, Women 35-39 Hwt, Women 40-44 Hwt, Women 45-49 Hwt, Women 50-54 Hwt, Women 55-59 Hwt, Women 60-64 Hwt, Women 65-69 Hwt, Women 70-74 Hwt <br /><br />So far the coolest thing we've seen are the supporters from Aspiration's Gym. Here to cheer on Alison Hill in the Women's 35-39 Hwt, they're decked out in white t-shirts with "Go Ali" writ large in pink. There should be more of that sort of thing. <br /><br />The first race is always the most nerve-wracking from a technical perspective; there are 120 machines wired up to a race system that seems to work by a combination of technology and magic. After a slight delay due to the system being set up for 200 metres rather than 2,000m, which for some white looking people wandering around the room is probably preferable, things get away smoothly. <br /><br />The spot commentary today is being done by the the stalwart Nigel Mayglothling, the man who puts the word "bubbly" in "How the heck can he be so bubbly at 7:30 in the morning" and three-times world rowing champion Tom Kay. Despite the presence of nine different categories, they help to keep everybody informed of how everybody's doing. Beth Jackson wins the 30-34 Hwt in 7:07.2, while Megan Brown wins the 35-39 Hwt in 7:17.5. The fastest time of the day so far is from policewoman Tracey Axten, who wins the 40-44 Hwt race in 6:58.2, a great acheivement. Anna Bailey wins the 50-54 Hwt race. Interestingly, our computer chooses this moment to switch itself off, so we're a bit unclear on some things. Full results should be up on the site shortly.<br /><br />Race 2<br />Men 50-54 Hwt, Men 55-59 Hwt, Men 60-64 Hwt, Men 65-69 Hwt, Men 70-74 Hwt, Men 75-79 Hwt, Men 80-89 Hwt, Men 85-89 Hwt<br /><br />In the 55-59 Hwt, it's Martyn Low who gets off to a the best start, along with Hugh Tubbs. The 60-64 Hwt race looks a good one, meanwhile, with half a dozen names in contention at the mid-day point. Martyn Low starts to pull away from the rest of the field in his race. He looks to have it in the bag quite easily. In the 50-54 Hwt race, European champion Paul Langguth has to battle hard to hold off Carl Clinton. In the 60-64 Hwt race, Tom Hinsby is forced to fight to the line, taking gold just ahead of Antero Rossi and Olaf Ellesen.<br /><br />There's a slight hitch on getting the race results on the web site, which means they'll be another 5-10 minutes for the first race. Everything should be back on track after that however. <br /><br />Race 9<br />Women J13<br /><br />Gadzooks. The one thing that runs less smooth than the course of true love is doing web-type things stuff at the British IRC. Anyway; a couple of minor glitches should be now smoothed away; the J13 girls race over three minutes and an the race sees (we think) the day's first dead heat, with Emily Beard and Gabby Watson both covering 793 metres in the time. Claire D'Urso finishes third just ahead of Gemma Haseldine.<br /><br />Race 10<br />Men J13<br /><br />Good lord there are some powerful 12 year olds around. In yet another close race, Paul Barber rows 828 metres, just 100 centimeters more than Val Kelbrick and 300 more than Gary Hickman in third.<br /><br />The president of the British IRC, Sir Steve Redgrave, has just turned up. Looking rather tanned after a trip to the far East, he's currently signing autographs by the metric shedload. Sir Steve is in currently in training for the London Marathon in April, for which he's hoping to raise a world record amount of money. <br /><br />Race 11<br />Junior Team Event<br /><br />Talking of Sir Steve. The Redgrave Team Event is now in it's second year. Teams of four have to row 4,000m collectively, and the format enocurages lots of shouting and cheering. To be honest, from where we are, we haven;t a clue what's going on, but it seems jolly exciting. The top five boys and girls teams will go through to a final at 13:25. <br /><br />Race 12<br />Women J14<br /><br />This race is dominated by Oxford's Holly Holden, who wins with a distance of 1081m, 27m ahead of Amber Anderson who in turn was 10m ahead of Phillipa Neil.<br /><br />Race 13<br />Men J14<br /><br />This race seesaws back and forth at the top between Daniel Ashworth, James Fox and Sam Howell. In the end, Daniel strings together a strong series of strokes to finish, winning with 1222m. Behind him, James finishes four metres ahead of Sam to take silver with 1211m.<br /><br />Race 14<br />Women J15<br /><br />Laura D'Urso wins this race, rowing 1355 metres in the five minute period. Just behind her is Joanne Heywood with 1346m and Natalie Bream ties for bronze with Cordelia Wilson with 1328m.<br /><br />Race 15<br />Men J15<br /><br />This race sees a majestic performance by Matthew Tatlock. Rowing on machine E18, with a predicted distance of 1200m, he roars away with the gold in a distance of 1568m. The lad is pretty huge to be fair, so you can see how. Definitely one to watch for the future. Behind him, Will Tew, who finished fourth in the J14 last year, held off Christopher Johnstone by nine metres, coming second in 1538m.<br /><br />Race 16<br />Redgrave Team Event<br /><br />In the Men's event, Royce's Gym from Wigan retain the title they won last year. Behind them it's a free-for-all, with 45 Commando RM being overtaken at the 700m mark by David Lloyd Reading and Castle Gym. Royce's Gym cover the 4,000m distance in an amazing 2:59.3, while David Lloyd Reading have enough petrol in the tank to hold off Castle Gym and finish second in 3:06.3. In the Women's race, Colmers Womens B defy their name to finish first overall.<br /><br />Race 17<br />Men 35-39 Lwt, Men 40-44 Lwt, Men J18 Lwt<br /><br />Back to the senior races. In the 40-44 Lwt, Duncan Paterson, adds to his already formidable trophy cabinet with a well-controlled race. he wins in a time of 6:31.2. He's pushed hard, especially in the latter stages, by David Brooks who takes second, in 6:33.0. Finland's Riejo Niemenmaa takes the bronze with 6:37.8. Ian Reid, who won the silver in the 35-39 Lwt event last year, improves by place to win that event with 6:35.8. <br /><br />Race 18<br />Men 40-44 Hwt, Men 30-34 Lwt<br /><br />There are some strong fellers on the front row for this. South Africa's Andreas Van Tonder hits the front early on, but behind him, Sean O'Leary, Andy Sangster and Grant Biggar are all massing a few seconds back. At the half--way stage, it's clear that Van Tonder is going to have to fight all the way to win. O'Leary and Sangster have dropped back a bit, but Vesta's Grant Biggar really has a go. In the end, the line comes just to soon for him, and Van Tonder takes gold in 6:07.7, just four-tenths of a second ahead of Biggar. Behind those two, former British Olympic swimming captain Robin Brew has a very good last 500 metres to snatch the bronze in 6:09.9. <br /><br /><br />In the 30-34 Lwt race, Dan Staite makes a valiant effort to keep up with National Squad rower James Lindsay-Finn. Lindsay-Finn just has a shade too much power and wins in 6:15.8. Staite takes second in 6:22.4, but behind him there's a great battle for bronze. Mark Mitchell holds that position for most of the race, but Neil Gear roars up at the end. He's left himself just a little bit too much to do, however, and Mitchell crosses the line a handful of metres ahead in 6:27.1.<br /><br />Race 19<br />Men 45-49 Hwt<br /><br />With last year;s winner Ian McNuff a no-show, this race should be an open affair. Rod Wark takes the early lead. Rod used the machine as his main tool to lose 100lbs, an incredible achievement. At the 1000m mark, Wark is dropping back, while Marcus Harvey and Pat Gannon are now neck and neck in front. Behind them, Nick Rockliff is a boat-length of Wark and Keith Thomasson. With 700 to go, Harvey and Gannon are still neck and neck. It's Harvey who looks everso slightly the stronger, and with 500m to go he has a slight lead. Gannon's an experienced competitor, however, and he knows what he has to do. With 300m to go he throws in a few hard strokes; Harvey refuses to budge and Gannon has to concede. Harvey wins in 6:14.2, Gannon second in 6:16.0 while Nick Rockliff takes a well-deserved bronze in 6:18.2. <br /><br />Race 20<br />Men 30-34 Hwt, Men 35-39 Hwt<br /><br />The Men's 35-39 Hwt race contains some of the biggest hitters so far. As well as Tony Larkman and Nik Fleming, responsible for some of the greatest races ever, Julian Tompkinson, Chris Brett and Gavin Allison can all pull a mean erg. It's Larkman who gets off to a good start. Last year, he complained that he was a bit slow out of the blocks; no such worries here, and he stretches out a good lead from the off. With 500 to go, it's Larkman from Tomkinson from Allinson. It's now that Fleming decides to have a go, and he drops his splits to under 1:30, trying to put some pressure on Tomkinson in second place. He's left himself too much to do, and as Larkman crashes home in 5:59.5, the first sub-6 minute row of the day, Tomkinson wins a brilliant silver in 6:05.9, while Fleming is third in 6:09.4. <br /><br />The 30-35 Hwt race sees Simon Handley and Stuart Williams hit the front together. At the half-way stage it's WIlliams who looks the best, opening a small but measurable lead. Handley, who's set off well starts to fall back slightly, and it's Clive Kennedy-Burn who emerges as William's biggest threat. Despite really pouring on the power towards the end, he's just unable to catch the early pace-setter. Williams takes gold with 6:06.3, Kennedy-Burn second in 6:07.2 and Handley bronze in 6:13.2. <br /><br />Race 21<br />Women Open Lwt, Women BUSA Lwt<br /><br />This year, the British IRC is compulsory for all national rowing squad athletes. This means that there's some strong competitors in all of the Open categories. The Women's Open Lwt has the 19-29 Lwt world record holder Jo Hammond competing. as well as Naomi Hoogesteger. Both women have the potential to row under 7 minutes, so it promises to be quite a race. It's Hoogesteger who gets off to the best start, but Hammond isn't far behind, nor is Lorna Norris. At the mid-way point, It's Hoogesteger, hitting 1:45s and 1:46s who has the lead. She looks relaxed and in control, while Norris is pushing hard on Hammond for second place. With 400 to go, although, it's Hammond that's finishing the stronger. While the race starts to tell on Hoogesteger who's splits start to drift slight, Hammond is eating away at the lead with every stroke. Hoogesteger has done enough in the ealy part of the race to earn the gold, however, and she becomes Open Lwt champion in 7:03.6, Hammond just behind in 7:05.5. Norris wins herself a bronze with 7:08.0. <br /><br />Race 22<br />Men Open Lwt<br /><br />A very strong race sees Rasmus Quist from the Danish quad line up against the cream of British Lightweights, including Mark Hunter, Nick English and Tim Male. At the gun, the entire front row goes off like startled rabbits. All the early running is done by Mark Hunter, dipping into 1:31s and 1:32s. Behind him, the rest of the field is squashed together in what is obviously going to prove a very tight race. In the second 500m, Hunter starts to try and stamp his authority on the race, everso slowly moving away from the chasing pack, which is led by Quist and Male. With 750m to go it's still Hunter in the lead; Male has made second place his own but Quist has a lot of experience at big indoor rowing championships, and he's certain to finish strongly. He's swamped, however, with 500m left, by Zak Purchase, Nick English and Daniel Harte, who all come through. The Hunter, meanwhile, has become the hunted, with Male remorselessly chasing him down. WIth 100 to go, they're neck and neck with the crowd on their feet. The momentum is with Male, but, with every sinew straining he is just, just, does unable to do enough to win a thrilling race, one of the best of the day so far, finishing three-tenths of a second behind his teammate. Hunter wins in 6:09.8 with Male on 6:10.1. Behind them Zak Purchase is the strongest out of the rest, taking home the bronze in 6:14.6. <br /><br />Race 23<br />Men BUSA Lwt<br /><br />Tom Woolway gets off to the best start, but he soons gives up the lead to to Doug Perrin and Richard Chambers. These two have the lead for the rest of the race; with 750m to go, Perrin is a boatlength in front of Chambers, who in turn is a boatlength ahead of the pack, led by Olly Tietz and Graeme Murray. In the end, Perrin runs away with things, finishing very strongly to win in a time of 6:20.5. Chambers has to deal with a good charge from Teitz but holds on for the silver and 6:25.7. Tietz third in 6:27.4 and Adam Freeman-Pask fourth in 6:28.3.<br /><br />Race 24<br />Women Open Hwt<br /><br />The first heavyweight open race so far and it looks to be anotehr good race. At 500m, the lead is hared between 30-39 Hwt world record holder Sarah Winckless, Laura Gater, Annabel Vernon and Claire Abbey. With half the work done, Winckless has got a small lead from vernon, followed in turn by Gater and Abbey. There's some power being shown in this race and Winckless thunders through the last 800. It looks like she'll be outside her world record, but it's still a great effort. She wins in 6:37.5, Vernon and Gater following her home for silver and bronze in 6:40.3 and 6:44.4 respectively. Behind them, Francis Houghton has come through to pip Abbey for fourth place, although it's still a good effort from the Oxford rower, who beats a number of national squad members.<br /><br />Race 26<br />Women BUSA Hwt<br /><br />With the introduction of the Fresher's Challenge, it's a strong year for the BUSA events. After 500m, there's 20 racers all in a virtual line. It's Oxford's Hilary Powell who makes the first move, but it's a very edgy race, and the silver and bronze positions are changing hands every couple of metres. With 1000m left, Powell has imporved her lead slightly, while Tracey Matthews and Emma Windham a length behind. With 600 to go, it's still anyone's race; Naomi Pollock has started to move up, and she overtakes Windham for third. It's Powell's now to lose, and she now has a clear lead. Pollock continues to charge, and with 300 left she draws level, and quickly past, Windham. Pollock's finishing really strongly now, hitting 1:44, and she's able to make silver her own. Powell wins in 6:57.3, Pollock next in 7:02.6 while Windham has the last medal position in 7:06.0.<br /><br />Race 29<br />Men BUSA Hwt<br /><br />The penultimate race of the day features some of the best young rowers in the country. The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race crews dominate the front row. Oxford have the initmidating presence of former world indoor rowing champion Jamie Schroeder, so they're likely to take the top spot, but overall bragging honours are still up for debate. At the start Schroeder gets off to a flyer, hitting 1:18 and a 1:19, by far the strongest strokes of the day so far. After 500m, Schroder has the lead, but Cambridge's Kieran West is not far behind. At 1000m Schroeder is in the lead; it'll take a miracle for him to lose this race now. Behind him, West just ahead of his teammates Thorsten Engelmann and Sebastian Schulte. Schroeder crosses the line in style, winning the race in 5:44.0. It's Engelmann who's finishing the race the fastest, however, and as him and West drop their handles in exhaustion after 2000m, it's not clear who's taken the silver. As the dust clears, it's Engelmann who has the shinier medal by the smallest of margins, 5:48.9 against 5:49.0. In all, the first ten man all go under 6 minutes, showing just how strong the standard is this year.<br /><br />Race 30<br />Men Open Hwt<br /><br />With the presence of the national squad, there's some truly fast athletes in the Open Hwt race. As well as reigning champion Graham Benton, there's the likes of Josh West, Pete Wells, Steve Williams and Matt Langridge. The final race gets away clean; someone in the crowd asks whether Graham Benton really pulled a 1:10 split off the start; we can confirm that he did. The first 500m flies by; Benton is in front, from Pete Wells. Just behind Wells is Langridge and Phil Turham. After 800m, Stuart Honor from Royce's Gym has moved into second place ahead of seveal Olympic athletes. With 700 to go, it's Benton, just over a length ahead of Alan Campbell and Phil Turham. Coming into the last 500m, Matt Langridge starts his charge, dropping down to 1:27. With 200m in teh championship left, Benton looks to have the title in his bag; the medal for the last two medals of the day is rather intriguing, however. Langridge and Campbell are neck and neck, with Steve Rowbotham really starting to fly through the field. Benton storms across the line in 5:46.9, a new Personal Best and an emphatic victory over a quality field. Matt Langridge just manages to squeeze out a few extra watts to claim the last silver of the day with 5:51.9. Campbell finishes two whiskers behind in 5:52.1 with Rowbotham a bit further back in fourth with 5:52.7. 16 rowers go under 6 minutes, which we reckon must be close to a record.<br /><br />
