Crash-B Observations/Impressions from afar

[Cyclingman1]

It would have been nice to be at Crash-B, but being a Southerner, it's about 50 deg too cold.

Some very tight, interesting races:

55-59 LWt. Excellent time by Siebach at 6:40.3 but six times below 7:00. The LWt's outrowed the heavies. It's going to take a good effort to challenge Siebach in years to come.

60-64 LWt. Steve Roedde is again the class of the field. Watch out for Tom Phillips next yr.

60-64 HWt. Definitely one of the best, if not the best, heat of the day. they outrowed the 55-59ers. Ten below 7:00 and six below 6:52 [1:43]. It looks like Hendershott's record will stand for a while, but O'toole may challenge Hamlin's 65-69 next yr. Krum has clear sailing for a long time.

65-69 HWt. I was very surprised that Spousta was not near 6:40. Ten seconds slower this yr. Maybe just a bad day.

75-79 HWt. Paul Guest at 7:13.2 - quite an effort.

50-54 HWt, Women. No stopping Anne Bourlioux. Probably a Crash-B winner into eternity.

I'm sure it was quite an experience for all participants and spectators. Hoping others will post their race experiences.

[hjs]

Ehhhhh. 6.30.2 17 year old greek girl, everybody stands in the shade of that.



http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/r ... /results/6

[TomR]

65-69 HWt. I was very surprised that Spousta was not near 6:40. Ten seconds slower this yr. Maybe just a bad day.

I spoke with Spousta while we were waiting for the race results to be posted. He recently had pneumonia, which limited training and left him less than 100%.

[ChrisPBacon]

Were there problem with the results for master and senior heavyweight men? Both say no entries.

http://www.crash-b.org/past-regattas/2015-results/

[tcattell]

There seems to be a problem with the posting of the senior master results on the CRASH B website. The C2 website has the results.
I competed in the HW 60-64 race, and I am considering a try at posting some observations later today. I saw Yankee Runner in the stands (and in his race), so he will probably have the most interesting write-up (go to it, Rick). But it was an excellent regatta - although many familiar competitors were not there. Still, there were many impressive international competitors, and lots of compelling performances.

Tom Cattell

[tcattell]

Not so distant impressions of 2015 CRASH B Sprints:

I have competed in many CRASH Bs, starting in 1984. I tend to do 3-4 in a row, then take about 5 years off. Although this event has grown considerably, the organizers have upped their game each year, so this huge event with world wide roots still is run like clockwork. I raced in the 60-64 hvwt group. But here are some impressions from other races (mostly the races for "older" folks)

Bob Spengler and Ann Bourlioux were the impressive early athletes. Bob is an inspiration, and Ann is simply, totally amazing. She was completely in control as early fly and die competitors took the lead for a while. She gradually brought up the stoke, and was able to take 2.6 secs off last year's time (improving your time as you age is very impressive). Carla Stein also improved, and I enjoyed meeting her at Yankee Runner's coveted NEC2K race in Jan. Hopefully Rick Bayko will entertain us with his write-up soon. He did a solid race at 7:38 (with bad knees).

Another impressive woman is Barbara Hogan from Carnegie Lake. She grabbed a silver as a 69 year old lightweight. A last minute entry by F Crowley denied her the hammer. Crowley did an amazing 8:04.

My race had several interesting aspects. The winner, Steve Krum was no surprise. He took control after 10 meters or so, and never looked back. We need to give him some competition next year. An amusing (or annoying) situation arose when Richard Cureton entered, not once, but twice. He has a 6:32 entry in the world rankings that seems suspicious to many of us. I assumed that the officials would eliminate the double entry, but there in the front row of the event there were two highly seeded lanes reserved for him. And there he was, two lanes over, between Madis Lohmus and Steve Krum. After 200-300 meters, he stood up and walked off. I quickly spotted Yankee Runner in the stands as he furrowed his brow at the odd behavior. At that point my pace of 1:40 was undisturbed...until a bit after the 1,000 meter mark, when I slipped to 1:42, and even a bit of 1:43. Madis just cruised at 1:40-1:41. It was a pleasure meeting him after a year of stalking him on the world rankings. Please come back next year, Madis.

Other thoughts: The practice of flying in top competitors from around the world is working great, and brings an intensity to the races that is easy to feel. Also, as an OTW rower, I applaud the amazing athletes from cycling, cross fit, triathlons, swimming and x-c skiing. Bring it on and keep us honest!

There were a number of missing people that have impressed me in the past. Walter Uptegrave has come close to Steve Krum in the past. Chris Ives needs to be here to challenge Ken Gates (he was here but as a cox), Tom Darling, Richard Cheeseman, S Botti and Michelle Marullo, will you all return and amaze us? Finally, where are all the national team athletes? I know they may have more to lose than gain, and 6K is a more important distance, but come on, show up and do your thing! I recall in the 1980s, there were some titanic international battles with folks like Andy Sudduth, Steve Redgrave, Andy Holmes, Gavin Stewart, Mathias Stekowski (2,500 record), Amy Fuller, the McCagg twins, Carrie Graves, John Everett, Dick Cashin, etc. And my final, final comment: Let's draft TJ Oesterling. If he will agree, I will personally lobby Dick and Peter Dreissigacker for travel funds even though there is no satellite regatta in Hawaii.

I left at noon, so I didn't see the afternoon fun. But thanks to Fournier-Rodriguez for showing up and demonstrating what negative splits look like. Over to Yankee Runner.....

Tom Cattell

[jackarabit]

The Cuban has impressive strength and form. Jack

[Yankeerunner]

Hey Tom, good report yourself! And congratulations on on an excellent row.

So much goes on that each of us end up with a slightly different take on it, and different views of those who impress us most. We probably pay the most attention to those we perceive to be most like us (age, weight, gender, etc.). It's good to read what others were impressed by that I might have missed.

See you next year at Newburyport, and hopefully Portland and Boston.

[Cyclingman1]

And my final, final comment: Let's draft TJ Oesterling.

That is a great suggestion. TJ is hands-down the outstanding erger of the last five yrs. I'm positive had he so desired and concentrated on it that he would hold the 60-64 HWt WR, which is the impressive 6:23.7 by Paul Hendershott in 2004. He has rowed below the current 65-69 WR many times. I was hoping to get close to him when I started erging in 2012, but that was a pipedream. Tom, do you know Hendershott? And/or TJ? He seems to be the mystery man in rowing circles.

[lindsayh]

My race had several interesting aspects. The winner, Steve Krum was no surprise. He took control after 10 meters or so, and never looked back. We need to give him some competition next year. An amusing (or annoying) situation arose when Richard Cureton entered, not once, but twice. He has a 6:32 entry in the world rankings that seems suspicious to many of us. I assumed that the officials would eliminate the double entry, but there in the front row of the event there were two highly seeded lanes reserved for him. And there he was, two lanes over, between Madis Lohmus and Steve Krum. After 200-300 meters, he stood up and walked off. I quickly spotted Yankee Runner in the stands as he furrowed his brow at the odd behavior. At that point my pace of 1:40 was undisturbed...until a bit after the 1,000 meter mark, when I slipped to 1:42, and even a bit of 1:43. Madis just cruised at 1:40-1:41. It was a pleasure meeting him after a year of stalking him on the world rankings. Please come back next year, Madis.
Tom Cattell

Hi Tom and well done on your performance. It sounds like a great thing to do.
The 60+ race looks like one of the best of the day and much stronger than the 55s.
The Rich thing is a dilemma for everyone isn't it? It is a very sad thing to see.
I am hoping that Richard Steventon will come to Boston sometime - he is probably sub 6:30 at the moment and will be racing in UK in 2 weeks. He would really push SKram.
It would be great to convince TJO to come of course.
My aim is 2017 at 65+ now. It is so hard to organise for everything to fit into place from the other side of the world but by then hopefully easier.
Best

[tcattell]

Jim, alas I do not know Osterling or Hendershott. I actually missed out on the WIRC from 1990 to 2010 except I showed up in 1998-2000.

You need to make the trip. You have great insights

Tom

[DanielJ]

Ehhhhh. 6.30.2 17 year old greek girl, everybody stands in the shade of that.

http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/r ... /results/6

And here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvytdi0Gd8I

Obliterated the previous junior women's WR.

[DanielJ]

My race had several interesting aspects. The winner, Steve Krum was no surprise. He took control after 10 meters or so, and never looked back. We need to give him some competition next year. An amusing (or annoying) situation arose when Richard Cureton entered, not once, but twice. He has a 6:32 entry in the world rankings that seems suspicious to many of us. I assumed that the officials would eliminate the double entry, but there in the front row of the event there were two highly seeded lanes reserved for him. And there he was, two lanes over, between Madis Lohmus and Steve Krum. After 200-300 meters, he stood up and walked off. I quickly spotted Yankee Runner in the stands as he furrowed his brow at the odd behavior.

I must ask: Is this the same Rich Cureton? http://www.regents.umich.edu/meetings/0 ... ureton.pdf

And... is that also the dude who was Ranger here on this forum?

[Citroen]

My race had several interesting aspects. The winner, Steve Krum was no surprise. He took control after 10 meters or so, and never looked back. We need to give him some competition next year. An amusing (or annoying) situation arose when Richard Cureton entered, not once, but twice. He has a 6:32 entry in the world rankings that seems suspicious to many of us. I assumed that the officials would eliminate the double entry, but there in the front row of the event there were two highly seeded lanes reserved for him. And there he was, two lanes over, between Madis Lohmus and Steve Krum. After 200-300 meters, he stood up and walked off. I quickly spotted Yankee Runner in the stands as he furrowed his brow at the odd behavior.

I must ask: Is this the same Rich Cureton? http://www.regents.umich.edu/meetings/0 ... ureton.pdf

And... is that also the dude who was Ranger here on this forum?

He is the user that has a lifetime ban from this forum. Any more discussion of his performance may lead to posts being moderated to oblivion.

[Cyclingman1]

I actually missed out on the WIRC from 1990 to 2010 except I showed up in 1998-2000.
You need to make the trip. You have great insights

When I started erging Jan, 2012, I was oblivious to the history or rowing and other rowers. But after doing it a few months I realized the tradition and who and what I was up against. I was amazed to see the rowing background of those I found in the rankings and Crash-B results. When I got under Borggaard's WR record in 2012 I had no idea that he was a forty year rower. And I see the same thing across the board. It is a little intimidating - to see the experience that one is trying to compete with. No wonder Spousta, O'Toole, Cattell, Castellan, etc do well. It would be great to see some of these folks in person. I tell myself that I will go to Boston, but I seem to find excuses not to. Of course, first, I must be a regional qualifier. Next yr, I will be just a few days short of falling out of the 65-69 group, which is not too important other than the fact that the qualifying time is about 30 sec higher in 70-74. I may get there yet. Thanks for the "insight" comment. I suppose that is debatable, and has been. Jim G