Issue 155

Cardiff take water honours

08th May 2007

On Wednesday 21 March Swansea University Rowing Club attended the second ever Welsh Boat Race against Cardiff in Cardiff Bay.

In an event that counts towards the Varsity Shield Swansea were unlucky to gain any points or win either of the races against the much more experienced and better equipped Cardiff club.

The opening race of the day was the women's race, and after a good start Swansea were leading at the bridge that was approximately the half-way mark, by a canvass (the length from the point at the front of the boat to the first rower). However the Cardiff crew battled back in the closing section of the course and managed to win by a boat length. They pushed the Swansea boat into a wider line that they would have wanted in the final bend and capitalised after the umpire told the boats to separate after a clash or oars.

After the race the Swansea captain and club captain Sophie Clark-Hackson said, "we were robbed, we had an awesome start but caught a crab (when the oars get out of time and the rowers have to all stop and start again), but I'm so pleased with how we did. I want to do it again!"

The race was a huge physical exertion for all involved, to the point where Sophie volunteered the information that "I almost vomited."

Then men's race followed shortly after, and following the women's heroic effort the men were hoping to cause an upset. However the men's race went worse than the women's from a Swansea point of view. The Cardiff team side started especially well, and as they regularly race on that particular stretch of water knew the best line to take. This resulted in the Cardiff side coming home four lengths in front to complete the Cardiff victory.

The cox for the men's race, Rosie Gulliford spoke after the race that although they Swansea crew had started badly they had raced well, but were simply outclassed.

The races were followed by a barbeque for the teams and the 70 supporters from Swansea and the 30 from Cardiff, and the now traditional drinking boat races were undertaken, with Cardiff taking victory in that also.

After the presentations for victorious Cardiff teams the men's captain James Sexton said, "After last year's race we knew it would be close, and in our race we managed to take an early lead, but they made us work hard to hold onto it. Next year's race should be very interesting now with the advances that Swansea have made in the last twelve months and if the same improvement can be made again."

The days's events were concluded by the formality of Swansea challenging Cardiff to another race next year, which promises to be another interesting affair.

The event was seen as a success by AU President Tim Stickley and event organiser Henry Hilsdon, and there are plans to make the event even bigger in the coming years, with possible a black tie ball and dinner to follow next year's event. Hilsdon said, "its up to the students to make this event big, but next year the right team has to win!"

Matt Cannon