After the disappointment of Torpids being cancelled last year, W1 were keen to perform well this year. Blessed with good weather throughout the term, the girls put in the miles at Godstow as well as on the ergs. In the run-up to Torpids W1 entered a number of races, on and off the Isis. W1 won all five Women’s Coxed Four events in the IWL Series and the Eight came 5th in IWL E. W1 also entered two Fours and an Eight in Henley Fours and Eights and saw some good results, especially after having to call in last-minute substitute rower due to illness. The Novice Four put in a brilliant performance to come 3rd in their category, having only been rowing for four months. W1 also came 5th in the IM3 4+ and 11th in the IM3 8+ and everyone enjoyed the experience of rowing at Henley.

We were excited to prove ourselves at Torpids and move up the river. Starting 11th in Division 1 on the first day, we bumped Balliol before the gut, and as Balliol went on to also bump, Univ moved up two places. On Thursday we started behind Christ Church. We started well but when Christ Church, Pembroke and St John’s all bumped out ahead of us, we weren’t sure if we would manage a bump. However, the training paid off and a strong row meant that we were gaining ground on New College by the time we came out of the gut. With a final push outside of Univ Boathouse, we bumped New College, so that we started in 8th place behind Pembroke on Friday. The third day saw another solid row, however it wasn’t enough as Pembroke bumped out before the finish, so that we rowed over. We were keen to get one final bump on Saturday to complete the week. Starting behind Christ Church, we had a wobbly start allowing Balliol to gain ground but soon regained composure, and pulled away from Balliol. A great effort from everyone meant that we bumped Christ Church at the start of Greenbanks, a brilliant end to a brilliant Torpids, that saw us move up 4 places to finish 7th on the river!

However, training didn’t stop there for W1. With the Women’s Head of the River the following weekend, the girls continued to put in the hours during 8th week. Starting in 39th place after last year’s success, we were surrounded by top university crews as well as the GB composite crew. Facing a strong headwind between Barnes Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge the conditions were tough but the girls put in a valiant effort throughout the course. We finished in 169th place, and it was a brilliant experience to row on the Tideway and a great way to end the term.

I would like to say a massive thank you to our coach, John Ewans, for his support and expertise, to all the rowers for their commitment to training throughout the term, and to everyone who has supported us. We look forward to building on our success next term and moving up the river in Summer Eights.

Vicky Olive
Women's Captain

Videos of W1

W1 in IWL C

W1 bumping New College

Crew

• W1 Torpids 2014/2015 (8+)

Posted on Mar 18, 2015

posted under: FoUCBC Newsletter

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