Newburyport, MA 11 January 2015
Erg enthusiasts from five of the six New England states (1-RI, 1- VT, 2-NH, 4-ME, 11-MA) gathered in a modest running shop in Newburyport last Sunday, and for the 12th straight year practiced the fine Art of combining gut-wrenching competition against worthy opponents with some great fun and socializing with with those same worthy opponents after they 'had erged.'
The day kicked off at 9:00am with a preliminary 1K that saw big Adam Rosenthal (57 HWT) bash out a 3:27.7 for an easy win over the tight battle between Rick Bayko (67 lwt) at 3:44.1 and Mike Shields (70 HWT) 3:44.4. Since this was a non-championship event they got NOTHING for their efforts except tired. Such is the unyielding attitude of race Grand Poobah Renegade Rick Bayko.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIVjW7gUUpQ (Will Haskell video)
The Women lightweights sat on the machines next to show those guys how a 2K is done. Anne Hird (55 lwt) made her third trip up from Rhode Island a winning one with an 8:27.5, followed by newly lightweighted Yvette Knight (69 lwt) of Maine in 9:15.4 and Mary Harada (79 lwt) in 11:26.1. Emily Kate O'Brien (17) joined in for an 8:45.5 and honors for being the youngest 2K competitor of the day.
Things heated up considerably when the Open women rowed heat 3. Carla Stein (54) drew a line in the sand to get serious about another CRASH-Bs in six weeks with a fine 7:42.2. It was good enough to win the Bridge Street Toys Mini-Sledge award for the 5th time for the fastest women's time of the day. Winnie Stopps (59), probably chomping at the bit to get one year older and into the next age division, followed with a solid 8:12.8. Mary White (53) stoked 8:23.8 to bring the quality heat to a quick conclusion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-sAoTaQXQk (Will Haskell video)
Shock & Awe followed when the Men's 60+ Heavies went off next. Big Tom Cattell of Maine (60 HWT) blasted out at sub-1:40 pace, rowing strapless, and never slowed a whole lot to record a stellar 6:41.7, which eventually won the PaulS Sledgehammer award for the fastest time of the day regardless of age, gender or weight category. Frank Knight (69 HWT & Yvette's main squeeze) was happy to record his best 2K of the season at 7:23.5, followed by Mike Shields at 7:37.7 and Tom Rawls of Vermont (68 HWT) making his long-awaited NE2KC debut with 7:38.0.
The Men's lightweights & Flack came next. Will Haskell (48 lwt) grabbed another Bridge Street Toys Tackhammer award for the fastest lightweight time of the day at 7:02.2 to make his drive down from Maine a productive one. Paul Flack (58 HWT), who has previously won more Slegdehammers than any other erger in history, was unfortunately not his old self as he recovers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery but still managed to keep his perfect attendance (and participation) streak alive with a creditable (under the circumstance) 7:25.9. Rob Hamilton (42 lwt) was few ticks behind in 7:31.4 for a good first erg race effort, and Rick Bayko played caboose at 7:45.3 and acknowledged that Mike Shields had gained sweet revenge for the 1K nip with a crushing 7.6 second margin in the 2K.
An impromptu executive decision added a new event between heat 5 and the final heat, a youth 4-minute challenge. The Jones Boys, Iain (age 12) and Dylan (8), tallied 733m and 612m respectively. Emma Finch (6 3/4) had also entered, but more than 2,000m of warming up had left her erged-out for the day and she was a late scratch. Maybe next year.
Although the final heat was scheduled for 11:00am the ergers were ready and antsy enough that it actually got underway at 10:55am. Chad Goss (52 HWT) scored the 3rd fastest time of the day with a heat-leading 7:03.9, followed closely by Jeff Barry (46 HWT) in 7:05.5, and Adam Rosenthal in 7:11.5. Jen Finch (38 lwt) missed the earlier lwt women's heat due to motherly duties at the hockey rink, etc. but said, "I'm ain't scared of no Heavyweight men!" and joined the fray. (She probably used better English than me, but you get the idea.) It was a classic fly & die, but a fine 9:11.2 nevertheless. If, however, you wish to see a TRUE hero (not some hyped-up sport 'hero') then take a look at Jen Finch:
In April of 2013 her husband Andy Finch got a five-second call from his wife that went like this, "There was
an explosion at the finish line. I'm OK but I'm heading there now. Love you. I have to go." as Doctor Jennifer Finch sprinted TO the place where bombs had exploded at the Boston Marathon finish line. Ignoring the danger to herself she proceded to save lives, using field expedient items like belts-as-tourniquets to help people whose limbs had been blown off from bleeding to death. What she did was amazing, and she is amazing, and I am humbled in her presence.
But I digress. Racing over, there was nothing left to do but to distribute the Bling. Division winners were awarded the traditional and coveted NE2KC Ice Scrapers, runners-up got C2 Socks or Towels or Bandanas, and everyone (including the youth 4-minute ergers) got snazzy C2 shoelaces and C2 lip balm donated by John Williams and Suzanne Hudson at Concept 2 in Vermont.
The times, from youngest to oldest, were these:
17 Emily Kate O'Brien 8:45.5
38 Jen Finch (lwt) 9:11.2
42 Rob Hamilton (lwt) 7:31.4
46 Jeff Barry 7:05.5
48 Will Haskell (lwt) 7:02.2
52 Chad Goss 7:03.9
53 Mary White 8:23.8
54 Carla Stein 7:42.2
55 Anne HIrd (lwt) 8:27.5
57 Adam Rosenthal 7:11.5
58 Paul Flack 7:25.9
59 Winnie Stopps 8:12.8
60 Tom Cattell 6:41.7
67 Rick Bayko (lwt) 7:45.3
68 Tom Rawls 7:38.0
69 Yvette Knight (lwt) 9:15.4
69 Frank Knight 7:23.5
70 Mike Shields 7:37.7
79 Mary Harada (lwt) 11:26.1
As always, this is one of my favorite days of the year. Few people who aren't rabid competitors can begin to appreciate how much I love being in this atmosphere with people like these. You all make my life better. Thank You, and I hope to see everyone again at CRASH-Bs and back here next January.
(Andy Finch Photo)Renegade Rick Bayko,
Grand Poobah of the NE2KC
(and Cub Reporter)
