A disappointing result in the Thursday heats, qualifying 5th. This was a couple of seconds off 4th which would have meant a B final, and 10 seconds off 3rd place.
The C final on Saturday was won convincingly, therefore finishing 5th overall.
The reason why I write this update late is due to this result. Its a big one to get over. Rhodes have not done this badly in a couple of years and equals the worst we have ever done at a boatrace.
This, however, was not due to any lack of desire, fitness or preparation. We prepared for this race as well as any other boatrace that I have done as well any other stories that I have heard from previous years. The rhodes way of training has not changed in any way and such a result if anything could only be put down to a bit of inexperience. This can only be positive as such an error can not occur in years to come if this group of rowers carry on rowing.
Times: Thursday heat:
start: 00:58:55.57
finish: 01:17:18.68
time: 00:18:23.11
difference: 00:00:02.21
Saturday:
Mens A 5&6
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2nd
Wits
20:30.55
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1st
Rhodes
19:47.09
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Overall TUKS won the event followed by UCT, then UJ then NMMU.
Womens A
What a result and what a job by the girls.
The girls caught up to UCT in the thursday heats and got off the water positive. They were up against a couple of South African oarswomen in both the TUKS boat and the UJ boat. They finished 2nd, putting the UJ boat out of the A final.
The Saturday A final saw some of the worst conditions I have ever experienced at boatrace. The winds were reaching 40km an hour with the gusts at 60km an hour. Rhodes lost the A final, finishing with a silver medal. The girls won the trophy for most improved womens crew.
Times: Thursday heat:
start:00:31:37.57
finish:00:45:33.54
time:00:13:55.97
difference:00:00:15.13
Saturday:
Womens A Final
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2nd
Rhodes
17:52.85
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1st
Tuks
16:54.74
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M&F Trophy
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Most improved women
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Rhodes
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TUKS won with Rhodes 2nd, UCT 3rd and UJ 4th.
Mens B
Similar to the mens A race, the Thursday heats saw the final being made by 2 crews who were just leagues above their opponents. Rhodes were just on the outside of this finishing 3rd.
The Friday final saw us take on TUKS for 3rd/4th place. The TUKS crew was one which was getting better each race. They had formed on the weekend but were made up of top schoolboy rowers.
They got the better of us in the final, going against heats predictions. Rhodes finished 4th.
Thursday heats:
start: 00:52:03.32
finish: 01:14:09.35
time: 00:22:06.03
difference 00:00:49.52
Friday finals:
3rd TUKS
4th Rhodes
UCT won with Stellenbosch 2nd, TUKS 3rd and Rhodes 4th.
Womens B
A pretty incredible result for the girls and one which hopefully sets the precadent for years to come.
The girls were strong and the preparation showed this as well as the times on Thursday.
Thursday heats:
start: 00:51:20.62
finish: 01:05:36.00
time: 00:14:15.38
The saturday A final saw the biggest margin of a win I have ever seen.
Womens B Final
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2nd
Tuks
21:20.39
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1st
Rhodes
18:34.70
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