2007 Nationals Open 500m
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2nd day of the Nationals Competition only meant one thing... It was time for the 500m competition!!! |
So finally we entered the long awaited open 500 heats.
With a patched up crew (borrowing some HT paddlers) we set out against the likes of 3 Rivers, Henley and Amathus Wasps. With JC once again setting the stroke we hit the start and attacked. For a short while we were in the lead with our powerful starts. But 3 Rivers pulled it back and pulled away leaving us to fight with Henley for the 2nd place spot.
At the line it was too close to call so we had to wait for the announcement. 3 Rivers 2.12.46 and… Henley 2.15.88 just beating us by 0.13 of a second. But luckily 3rd place was enough to put us in the cup competition.
The next race will be the tail race, with a tough draw. Amathus, 3 Rivers, Thames and RD! We had to beat them to salvage some pride. From the word Go we struggled. We battled hard but just didn’t have the kick. All the boats left us and we finished last in a tough draw, even losing to Secklow! We were gutted and JC broke his Triv in anger, 2.18 f*ck! It was not going well and heads were down.
A bit of rest and a chance to collect our thoughts. JC gave us a chat to get our heads up and gave an impassioned speech. He wanted us to shave 10 seconds of the last time. A big ask but we were up for it. We wanted this! RD again with Secklow and Amathus Bees. The winner through to the grand final and only 1 fastest loser from 2 deciding heats.
On the line we checked out the RD crew. Nail the start, leave them eating our wash was the plan. Down and ready….attention…go! We hit the start hard and fast no complaints. But so did RD. This was going to be close and we were with each other all the way. From my view I could tell they were just that little bit ahead but we gave it all and never gave up. Unfortunately for us we were beaten fair and square, half a boat but well done to Rage who have really picked it up with a excellent start and pace. On the bright side we did knock 10 seconds off our previous time which was 2.08.83.
Was it enough to seal the fastest loser spot? Fortunately our time was faster than Kingston! Making it 5/5 for making all the Grand Final’s which is some feat for a standard crew.
The line up of Thames, Batchworth, Amathus and 3 Rivers was disturbed by the emergence of 2 up and coming standard crews in the form of TT and Rage!
A final line up and call and we set off. Energy exhausted one final push for the line. A last chance to beat RD in a straight race?
We went into our familiar start and paddled hard, but the premier crews pulled away. This meant us and RD were once again locked in combat. At the line it looked close but they were so far away that we couldn’t tell.
Batchworth win by some margin 2.00.11 followed by Thames 2.03.63 and Amathus 2.04.63 surprisingly in 3rd. 3 Rivers and then…. RD with 2.09.71.
It was a shame but we can’t fault the effort and sacrifice. We were just glad we made the grand final of the open 500 for the first time in the Nationals and teams will remember that day when a few surprises emerged. Also we took home the most improved team trophy from our friend from 3 Rivers Stephen Anderson. An impressive addition to the mantelpiece, thanks Stephen!
Onwards towards another winter of content and next season woohoo!
Written By Alan Ho.