An Account by Kat Allen (Women's Captain)

The Churchill Women demonstrated steely control through rough conditions in London today, finishing two boatlengths ahead of Southampton in the Poplar Regatta’s Novice division.  Rain and a strong tail wind combined for a wet and choppy course, which Sarah observed was “like the sea.”  The crew – including Martha Kiwuwa, Marie Bjerrum, Bethany Cannon, Liz Tunnicliffe, Sarah King, Alexa Morris, Anita Davies, Kat Allen, and cox Kenny Low – raced in Churchill’s fabulously pink Dr. Jack Miller.

The start was not our best, setting us off half a length behind and aimed into our competitor’s lane, but we soon settled into a good rhythm and charged down the course.  Churchill pulled through Southampton seat by grueling seat, with confidence and gritty determination.

Southampton attempted a push at the 1,000-meter mark but our women persevered with an up-two rating build and intesne encouragement from cox Kenny Low.  The women powered through the second half of the race and drove hungrily towards our goal.  The final push brought us sailing through the finish line for a definitive win.  

Victory was celebrated with with soggy hugs, chocolate, and shiny new Poplar “pots", in accordance with the strange British tradition of giving out beer steins to race-winners.  Overall, an awesome day for the women.

Churchill W1 took part in the Women's Eights Head of the River race held on the Thames today! What a beautiful day it was to row on the river!  :)

We came in 154th, with a time of 21:22.09, which was actually good, considering it was a good race, with all 8 rowers pushing themselves hard all the way through to the finish. And we only got overtaken by Rob Roys, who came in 19th overall (!!) and also we were 2 seconds faster than crew 76 we were chasing in front. Oh, and not to mention, we beat Caius, Girton and Tithall (and more!) 

Mashalling at the start. Notice Kristen at 2 holding on to the tree to prevent us from drifting off! 

Our lovely stern pair - Sarah and Kat looking good...  

And there's also Helen and Ulrike! 

That pinnacle of international rowing is upon us...

Yes, here it is, what we've all been waiting for. May Bumps, the Race to end all races etc.

 We wait with baited breath to see if Churchill can return to its form of 2004, pick up some blades, earn some glory, resemble the canine genitalia etc. Can M1, goldenboys of the club, maintain its up-every-year credentials? Can the women make good on the pink flash beneath their seats. All these questions to be answered very soon

If you're competing, good luck. If not lets get down the the river and be part of the event as the pink sloshers dominate the waves.

The men's squad started this term's racing with an M2/3 boat in the CCRC Head to Head race today, racing over the head course twice - down to the motorway bridge then back again. The Churchill crew came in at 21:32 altogether, beating all but one of the boats in the L3 M8+ and L4 M8+ categories by a comfortable margin (although unfortunately not the other boats in L2!).

As you can see, the website is now back on-line, with a few changes that should make it a little more stable than it was before. We'll gradually be putting back the bits and pieces which were here before, but for now, you can still book ergs and sculls using the calendar that Kiera set up (see the link on the left). If you need help on posting news items, get in touch with Phil (pjc51).