2010 Regatta Reports
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Lerwick
So all Unst regatta did was pile on the pressure for good results at Lerwick – such is the price of success. We suspected the idiosyncratic running order reflected Lerwick’s need to have crew race more than one race – as do most clubs. We guessed this order gave their likely “doubles” most rest between races – perfectly respectable “manoeuvring within the regulations” as we used to say in MOD.
So the U-16 girls were first. The water was almost flat; there was a slight tail wind for racers and the distance looked much more like 1km. In short, these were ideal conditions for our crews. The girls did splendidly, finishing second again. In previous regattas, a good result for the girls has echoed in results for our other crews. We could only hope that history would repeat itself.
The U-21 men were next. We knew they had little chance of beating Nesting in this division. However, they finished a superb third behind a much larger Unst crew. They were justifiably elated.
The Open Women followed and they put in one of the best performances of their season, finishing second to Nesting – again. The day was beginning to develop a theme – us on the podium, behind Nesting.
So I then headed out with the Open Men. The all-conquering Nesting Under-21s appeared for this race. This would be an interesting match-up against the Burra lads who had won the last two races (with my and Sheila’s “help” or something – ahem). As the race unfolded, we were locked in a tight battle with Lerwick, whilst Nesting and Burra rather slipped away from us. The latter was somewhat expected though Nesting’s win was rather more of a surprise. In the end, we just found enough to finish ahead of Lerwick, but it was mighty close. So that was four races and four podium finishes. That equalled the club’s best performance at a regatta and there were still four races to go.
The Vet Women then raced and to our great surprise and delight delivered a very solid third place – by far their best result of the season. If there was a most unexpected podium finish for the club, this was it. The old maids could stand tall after this one. Though for one of them, the day wasn’t over.
Kaye was needed to crew the Vet Men – the very next race. We knew we had every chance with the crew we had and the favourable conditions. A solid, well-controlled start made a good beginning and by about two-thirds of the distance done, I had a worrying feeling that we might just be – sort of – leading though it was all a bit tricky (and I knew I should be concentrating on Nigel’s oar – not looking at the other boats). But as the finish approached, we were right next to Burra. So we crossed the line with no idea of how we had done. By the time we had our breath back, friends on shore were saying second. We had beaten Burra, just, but Nesting had passed us both. Again, this was our best result of the season and a huge testimony to “special” Kaye’s fitness. Nesting had won again and were now eyeing the distinct possibility of winning every race.
The next one was the Under-21 women. This was a season-deciding contest – and everyone knew it. Whoever won – whether us, Yell or Nesting – would win the league; so no pressure, then. As they came into the last 200m, it was plain that Yell were going to be third and that our women were, once again, locked in a fierce battle with Nesting for first – just as they had been in last race at Unst. Sheila told them they’d have to find something extra at the finish if they were going to win this. Somehow, they did and by a boat’s length – a rather comfortable margin compared to Unst – they won. The Nesting clean sweep was gone – but only just; nevertheless six wins and a second was still an enviable record for them. Our women had provided the club with its first league season win (not counting the efforts of the Nesting Under-16s). This was a very special day indeed.
The Under-16 boys completed the day’s events. The race was always going to be between the considerably bigger Lerwick and Nesting lads – as it had been all season. However, ours came third – and not that far behind Lerwick. This was, again, equal to their best result of the season and a very fitting finale.
As we gathered in the Lerwick clubhouse for prize-giving, we reflected on the fact that we had a podium finish in every race – by far the club’s best performance ever. I doubt we will see it again soon, but we’ll try. I suspect we were helped by absentees – perhaps in the Burra Vet Men’s crew and the Yell Under-21 women. But you can only play the opposition who turn up – and sometimes you just need to get lucky.
Unst
It had all the hallmarks of a peculiar day. The ferry was packed with crews from Nesting, Lerwick and Bigton – not to mention us. As we crossed the sound, a pod of orcas appeared. So the ferry stopped, drifted about a bit and waited for them to depart. This was the first time I had ever seen orcas; the fact that it delayed the ferry – and so the regatta – by around half an hour was just a typical reflection of what matters up here.
Only three crews turned out for the U-16 girls. What was a little concerning was that the regulation 1km distance seemed to be a rather long 1km and there was a tricky wind blowing across the course. We had key returnees and in the event they proved invaluable; their 2nd place was an excellent result, which set up the rest of the day nicely.
The U-16 boys, augmented by girls were never going to compete effectively against the considerably larger boys of Lerwick and Nesting. However, they beat Burra to earn a splendid third place. Two races – two podium finishes; it couldn’t last.
Indeed, it didn’t; it got better. The Under-21 women, on the back of two second place finishes fought it out with Nesting, all the way to the line. None of us could really tell who had finished in front – and this after what looked like over a mile of racing. The judges on the line called it for Vidlin – though perhaps on another day they would have called it a draw. The crowd – or rather the Vidlin bit of it – went wild. Nesting had to take great credit for their part in as close a finish as I have ever witnessed. Great credit must go to the Nesting crew who never gave up and never stepped back from the contest.
It was tough for the Under-21 men, who had to follow that. What was most alarming was that just prior to the start, Lerwick had only 3 crew. I began to think that our six ought to beat them – even if some of the Lerwick men looked twice our size. However Lerwick rustled up one of the Yell Under-21 women – formidable competitors who have won two regattas this season – and one of our Under-16s. They then moved the cox to rowing and one of the coaches as cox. Suddenly, from virtually nothing, they had summoned a full team. Nevertheless, against generally much larger opponents, our young men acquitted themselves well, finishing fourth.
The veteran women raced next. I have wondered, in the light of what a race takes out of me, whether the veteran races ought to be seen as Shetland’s answer to cock-fighting and bear-baiting. However, all the competitors enjoy it so much that it seems churlish to take this view. But when Bigton sent out their team with only two crew I really did wonder. The only logic I could glean from such action was that they needed the points from any sort of finish to keep the team in the hunt for the league. At the very least those two deserved some sort of club medal for fortitude and self-sacrifice. With two borrowed crew (our grateful thanks to them), we managed 5th – ahead of Bigton. However, with the first crew across in 8m 56s, Bigton did superbly to finish in 12m 57s.
Poor Sheila was then obliged to stay in the boat to row the next race for the Vet Men. It was at this point that I saw, first-hand, just how long the course was. The race itself was a very close affair as we swapped places with Lerwick all the way. As we eventually closed in on the finish a spectator boat nipped past us. This was singularly unhelpful – if not outright dangerous. Sheila was swamped by the wake. Fortunately for the crew it was her. She is probably the only person in the club with the experience and steadiness to ride out the wave and then get back to row. To his credit – at least I think that’s it – her husband Sandy resolutely ignored her plight and just kept rowing (as did the rest of us) to bring us in 4th. The organisers then sent out a warning to the spectator boats to ensure there were no repeats of this incident.
The Open Women were next and in a very close race again, we finished fourth just behind Lerwick – again. Still this was a good result, particularly since half the team had been involved in the epic Under-21 Women’s race earlier in the day.
So I then found myself back out for the last race, the Men’s Open. There was a bizarre rumour that the Yell team were fresh off a “stag bus”. This would suggest that they were at least merry, if not semi-conscious – or even unconscious. Additionally, someone said that the “groom” had been manacled to his mechanical digger’s bucket and that this was now in the Yell boat as he prepared to race. I could substantiate none of this – though it was plain that Yell were wearing a curious assortment of hats. If that wasn’t bizarre enough, as we wallowed nervously in the 3ft swell at the star line, Burra shouted “traitor” at our boat. I realised that this humorous rejoinder must be directed at me – as I had rowed for them last week. However, rather more surprising was the sight of Sheila in the back of their boat – as cox.
So we raced back and found ourselves neck and neck with Yell. By the finish, I had no idea of where we’d ended up, other than it seemed like another very close race. So it was; we beat Yell by a second, who beat Unst by a second. But we were only two seconds behind Nesting. We were in fact third, equalling our best result of the season.
So concluded a hugely successful day for the club; but it seemed that this was not the end. With one regatta having been cancelled, it seems The Championship – at Lerwick, would count as a league result. With this news to hand, Maggie set about the arcane and complex task of seeing just where we were in the league – and more crucially – where we might finish, given the right results next time. It was cold comfort to find that nothing was settled by the Unst results for any of our teams and that the Under-21 women had a chance to win their league if only they could repeat their Unst heroics at Lerwick.
Whiteness & Weisdale
The Whiteness and Weisdale Regatta
If conditions were grim and the course, by all impressions, overly long at Aith, we hoped for a more familiar race distance at W&W – even if the weather stayed a lottery. We had some returnees but still remained hard hit by absentees.
The weather was grim – a strong head wind with occasional admixture of showers. It was clear from the way the U-16 girls’ boat pitched and bucked in the water that this was going to be “interesting” at best and “pig-awful” at worst. The girls started the day’s efforts magnificently finishing an excellent third.
The U-16 Boys were next. Only three participants ensured a podium finish for us. They have been hard pressed to compete effectively at any stage of the season with the Nesting and Lerwick behemoths. So it proved again. However, if no one else can turn up, so be it. Third is third. Another excellent result for them and the club.
The old women were then sent out to battle. W&W only had four instead of six. They had my sympathy. We’ve been there. It’s not a lot of fun. The race was hugely competitive. For all but the last stages we led Bigton. Then at the end, Bigton found something extra and they just pipped us for 5th. This was very tough – and for two of the aged maids it was race time again – with the Vet Men.
The Vet Men was my only planned race. We had an excellent start and for around two thirds of the race we were very much in contention. Conditions were vile though all involved seemed to make light of them. Though from my particular seat our sprint finish didn’t quite seem to come off as planned, we kept enough boat speed to finish 5th. This was another mighty competitive race where the first four arrived within 10 seconds of one another.
The Open Women once again carried the hopes of the club – even if some didn’t enjoy the mantle. Times were quick and in a tight race for 3rd-5th, we ran out of race course when it looked like we were catching those ahead. 5th was a sound result though, even if not our best.
I then prepared to watch the Men’s Open. We were, for once, blessed with a mild surfeit of Men’s Open rowers, so I sat this one out. I stood idly on the pier contemplating either a coffee and burger or a beer. At this point, one of the Burra crew approached me. Was I available for the Open Men? Would I make up their numbers? This was most perplexing. I had no wish to contribute to a team who might beat ours. Then again, Burra had a reputation; perhaps I could learn something? Maggie certainly thought the latter and encouraged me – quietly – to go.
So, like some Bolton Wanderers reservist suddenly transferred to Real Madrid’s first XI, I gathered my wits at the Burra boat. It seemed, only with the greatest difficulty, were the other Burra crewmembers prized away from their tasks of coiling ropes and tidying fishing boat cockpits. I concluded that this was a scratch crew – not entirely overjoyed at the prospect of a race. I pointed out my reluctance to finish ahead of Vidlin. They replied that they were unlikely to beat anyone today. Ah, conclusion verified. They put me on stroke - a bizarre decision, I thought, but one in keeping with their scratch nature. Not all had club shirts – another intelligence analysis confirmation. Furthermore, they weren’t much bigger than me. It looked increasingly likely that Vidlin were going to watch me finishing rather than vice versa. Rather curiously they then asked if I thought I could keep up and that they rowed like animals. I replied that, in answer to their question, only time would tell and I would do my best (ahem).
The row out was vigorous, though I was most conscious of my embarrassment when my Vidlin colleagues noticed my “transfer” to Burra.
Once the race started, all dissimulation vanished. This was a finely-polished Burra crew, who eased into the lead and stayed there. I was in the horribly uncomfortable position of watching my colleagues labour magnificently in a titanic struggle for 3rd place, whilst I was towed along by Burra in first.
Burra won. I cannot say that I did. I suspect they would have won had they selected a granny on life-support to sit in my place. How did it feel to win? Embarrassing, unmerited and hollow since it was Burra who earned the victory. What did I learn? Their technique is significantly superior to ours – that’s why they win. But I cannot replicate their technique. To echo Donald Rumsfeld, this is now a “known unknown” in that we now know we do not know something. I trust that is clear?
My colleagues finished 4th – a mere second behind Nesting. An excellent performance.
So the U-21 women, with two successive second places in the last two regattas headed out next. In what seemed ever worsening conditions they again raced magnificently, pushing Yell very hard all the way to the finish to arrive, once again, 2nd. Though this was a superb result, the mood, post-race, was of steely resolve – they were up for the battle next week at Unst. I suspect Yell will be as well.
The U-21 men, with my son drafted from the U-16s concluded the day’s events. This was another brutal race in grizzly conditions. We were matched against significantly older, bigger opponents. However, to their great credit they rowed competitively; the result, 5th, was a meagre return for their valiant efforts.
So, with transfer-reject (still) in tow, the club prepares for what may or may not (yes, those are the only two options) be the final “league” regatta of the season at the most northerly of Shetland’s principal islands – Unst.
Aith Regatta
So fresh from the club’s best result ever at Burra, we headed with hope to Aith. However, friction will impact whenever you don’t want it. So it proved here.
It began the day before – though we did not know it. Vidlin Hall is celebrating the centenary of its construction. They – unwittingly – chose the day before Aith regatta to hold the Gala Day. This meant that key individuals arrived at Aith around midday looking perhaps more jaded than usual and whispering about not having got to bed much before an undisclosed hour.
Conditions on the day were far from ideal. Boats raced into a strong head wind. We wondered later if the course was more like 1.4km instead of the regulation 1km. Races certainly seemed much longer than usual – sometimes around twice as long. This did not suit us at all.
On the day, the Under 16 girls were first – racing at 12.30pm. Sadly, one of them did not make it in time. Fortunately the girls found a 9-year old in the crowd, who had rowed once before. She did her very best but was up against race-hardened opponents up to seven years older. They finished a creditable fourth. However this was harsh on a team that started the season with second place.
Still, the late Jade squeezed into the Under-16 boys team – and found herself up against the Nesting and Lerwick Goliaths roughly three times her size. Our depleted team again finished fourth.
The Under-21 women – second at Burra – raced next. In the event, they performed magnificently, finishing second only 4 seconds behind Yell. This would turn out to be our best result of the day.
The Under-21 Men were also short of regulars but managed to find someone at short notice. In a tough race, they finished 5th when they might have hoped for a place or two higher with their best team. C’est la guerre.
The Open Women raced next. Again, they were short of a regular as well. Then the race starter decided to add his dose of friction to the equation. The crews rowed down the course only to be stopped a little short of half way. The starter decided he could not manage a fair start, so they all rowed back to the beginning and the start process began all over again. Bearing in mind the efforts some of the women had put in so far, we did exceptionally well to finish in a dead heat for fourth.
The Open Men’s race was next. We managed an exhausted 5th – not our best result of the season; though paradoxically at the start of the season I’d have been happy with 5th. Naturally key people were missing though the overall impact was perhaps less on the Men’s Open than with other crews.
Then came the Vet Women. They finished a weary 7th . Then to add insult to their injury, since the Vet Men were in an even worse state due to missing people, two of the women had to row again. Somehow Sheila found another lady – from Nesting – to finally make up the numbers. Our thanks to Nesting. I was not looking forward to this.
I was not disappointed; it was absolutely awful. The wind and waves had really picked up. We would manage perhaps six or seven good strokes then the boat would slam into a wave and come to a complete stop. Then we would have to dig the boat out of the trough and start again – for another six or seven strokes – before slamming into another wave. I know everyone else had the same conditions but every one of us had rowed at least one race already – one of the women had raced twice. We were 7th when last time, with our full crew, we had been 3rd.
So all in all, this was not a repeat of the Burra regatta triumph. I suspect most of the crews will up their training in preparation for Whiteness and Weisdale regatta on Sunday. There may not be enough time to impact significantly but it is perhaps the least we can do.
Burra Regatta 26th June
In relatively benign conditions – for Burra regatta - the day began with Vet Men – a curious break with tradition. Sandy – our cox –had to step in at the last minute whilst Sheila replaced him. Sheila beasted us mercilessly during the race. We finished 3rd; better than at Vidlin regatta and indeed the best result of the season so far for the Vet men.
The Vet Women had an astonishingly tough race. Showing great courage and fortitude, they finished 5th – half a second ahead of Yell.
The Open Men was next. We finish 4th – just shaded out by Yell in third but closer to Nesting, who were second, than in the last regatta. This was a very creditable result. Swings and roundabouts for the men, I think, as the Open crew were 3rd at Vidlin.
The Open Women race was where we beat Burra last time. However this was Burra’s home turf and they had their “A team” out. The women were third behind Burra and Nesting. This was a sound result in keeping with pre-race form.
In an idiosyncratic timing decision, the Under-21 women were next. Note should be made of Leona and Debbie’s efforts to compete in this race, even though they had only just completed the Women’s Open race. With the two older girls help, the Under-21s, who are mostly Under-16s, performed magnificently, finishing 2nd. This was the club’s best result of the day. It was clear, however, that this race took its toll on the younger ones.
The Under-21 men’s also put in a spirited display and finished 3rd. Well done to them – again their best result of the season so far.
The weary Under-16 Girls were next. To add to their woes, one of them felt unwell after the U-21s and had to stand down. However, they managed to find a replacement from the crowd of spectators – thanks to that person. In the end they finished 5th.
The day ended with the Under-16 Boys missing a man. One of the Under-16 girls – Yvonne - was drafted in for her third race overall and second back-to-back. This was a difficult race, not helped by the actions of some of the spectator boats. In the end, they were 5th.
This was a spectacular result overall for the club with four podium finishes, which – with luck - augurs well for Aith.
The Vidlin Regatta 12 June 2010
The new season opened with Vidlin regatta, home turf, on 12 June.
Preparing for the regatta itself required most of the village to turn out in some capacity whether to help with erecting marquee tents or making sandwiches, putting up bunting, transporting PA systems and outdoor bars or setting up a video camera for the finish line. Grateful thanks are hereby conveyed to all who helped out in that mighty endeavour.
So come race day, we all felt like we needed a holiday to get over the regatta.
The Under-16 girls were up first. At this point in the season, we had little idea of how anyone might do; anything could happen. In the end they did fabulously well, finishing second behind Nesting.
The Under-16 boys were up next. They duly held third for most of the race; then at the end, Burra just staggered past them. Frankly, 4th was a fine result, but oh how near they were to 3rd. However, it was a harsh reminder of the closeness of the racing.
Women’s vets were next. The vets sounds easy – a lot of doddery pensioners out for a Saturday row you might think. It isn’t. The opposition are all battle-hardened old war horses who know exactly what they’re doing and give you nothing. Vidlin, with a number of late changes to the crew, were 5th.
As for the Men’s vets, all our pre-season training seemed to pay off as we managed 4th. However the efforts of Aith should be noted; they only had three rowers instead of six. However, they came 6th, a mere six seconds behind us.
The Women’s Open, whose last race had been to win The Championship, duly delivered a fine result, 2nd to Nesting. Of course I missed the entire race as I was on next for the Men’s Open.
As for the men’s Open, I spent the entire time watching Iain’s oar in order to keep time. As a result I had no idea how well we did, though I did see us move away from Bigton’s boat. It was surreal to have expended so much effort and have no notion of the results of that effort. However looking at the race times, it suggests a very close run thing; we were fortunate to finish where we did: 3rd.
The Under-21 Girls were our Under-16 girls and so were in for a tough time against significantly bigger and more experienced women. However they fought on in the finest tradition all the way to the finish and were 4th a very handy result points-wise.
The Under-21 men fielded a number of Under-16 eligible rowers, in a very competitive division. Consequently, they performed admirably to also finish 4th and can count themselves unfortunate not to have snatched 3rd from Aith, who were visibly wilting at the end. Another 50m might well have seen the places reversed.
Next race is at Burra. This is a challenging venue. Two years ago, even the indomitable Janet Davidge remarked, as she stood in her sodden clothing, that “it was a bit rough out there”. Fab.