​A whopping 9 races for the Eddie’s women in the 99s Spring Regatta!
This Sunday saw the Eddie’s women take part in 9 races as part of the 99’s Spring Regatta, a series of side-by-side races down the reach.
Eddie’s W1 started off the day by drawing Clare W2. Despite the recent focus on drilling race starts in outings, Clare’s start was considerably stronger, and they quickly pulled away by about half a boat length. Eddie’s maintained this gap all the way down the reach until about 150m from the finish line where they emptied the tank and started gaining seats on Clare. Sadly the push came a little too late and Clare took the win.
Next the Eagles were paired up against Maggie W2 in competition for a plate. Much like in the first race, Maggie gained off the start. The Eagles valiantly stopped the gap from increasing and despite a much better start than the previous race, and much smoother rowing, were unable to claw back any seats. Despite these two defeats, a lot was learned from the racing which they will take into training next week.
In the afternoon 4 of our W2 rowers raced with Hughe's W2 and W3. Jazmin, Olia and Vero (who was racing for the first time) joined the W3 crew and Vice Captain Elizabeth joined W2.
Hughe's W3, a mostly novice boat, were first up against the Vet School boat, an unlucky draw as it was filled with many 6th year vets with many years experience in W1 college crews. Despite a valiant effort and some gorgeous rowing, the vet boat pulled away straight off the start. A brilliant first race for Vero! Next they were up against Maggie 3, another unfortunate draw against a massive club on the Cam where they were sadly defeated. Despite the losses, the girls had a lot of fun in the sun and got some valuable race experience.
Hughe's W2’s first competitor scratched, so got to enjoy the sun while their 3rd boat flew down the Cam against Maggie 3, waiting to race the winner. As Maggie came out victorious they paddled back to the start line to race. Hughe's W2 took an easy win meaning they got to the final against the Vet School boat. With the Eddie’s vice captain in one boat, and the captain in the other, the boats set off for a show down. An unfortunate crab meant Hughe's W2 lost their rhythm for a few strokes which made all the difference in the neck-and-neck drama up the reach. After a speedy recovery, Hughe's got back into their stride and started gaining on the vet boat. Sadly it was too late, and they crossed the line shortly after the vet boat, finishing 2nd place in the div. An incredible performance against the veterans who were expecting an easy win.
Despite some disappointing results, the women absolutely gave it their all, demonstrating the Eddie’s underdog spirit we all know and love. Congrats Eddie’s on the amazing performances and for being the friendliest club on the Cam, saving multiple crews from scratching that day. Yeah Eagles!
And a big shout-out to Abi John from Hughe's for subbing into our W1!

​What started out as an overcast and slightly nippy morning turned into a gorgeous sunny day of racing for the Eagles this Sunday. The race was a 1450 m time trial starting from the plough, racing down the reach, and ending at the P&E.
After displaying some exhibition rowing down the lock, with a couple chunky race starts thrown in, the girls arrived at marshaling in high spirits. The sun decided to make an appearance and then it was time to race.
After a gorgeous roll-up to the starting marshal, the girls set off at incredible pace, building and settling to a speedy rate 36. After a beautiful couple of strokes around Ditton corner, the Eagles hurtled down the reach, not slowing down.
Leaving Medwards W2 miles behind, the Eagles approached the railway bridge, grunting and groaning from the 110% effort that was being put in. A big push off the bridge and there was only 500 m to go, but by this point the Eagles were running on fumes. After a power 10 through the last 150 m the girls crossed the line with a time of 6 minutes and 11s, coming 4th, closely behind Clare W2.
Used to coming 1st or 2nd in their category, this was a disappointing result for the Eagles, but what can be said was the whole crew gave it 100%. MVP goes to Maya in 4 seat for her amazing display of perseverance after getting severely winded off the start, nothing a little (or a lot) of sugar back at the boat house couldn’t fix.
The Eagles will take away many lessons from today and are looking forward to showing their full potential in the 99’s Spring Regatta next weekend. Yeah Eddie’s!

​This Sunday saw the Eddies Eagles race in the City Sprint Regatta, a side-by-side race (dubiously advertised as 500 meters) outside the boathouses. A technically challenging race on an extremely tight stretch of river, even with the houseboats moved out the way.
The Eagles were first up against Cauis W3. After a saucy paddle straight past marshaling, a couple of chunky race starts, and a questionably legal spin under the railway bridge, the Eagles paired up alongside their competition at the start line. While Cauis were faffing, the girls were ready and waiting at that start, looking relaxed and composed, and ready to take the win.
As both coxes lowered their hands the marshals started the race. Immediately, Cauis, who had the mental advantage of starting a little further ahead, but on the outside line, pulled ahead with a strong race start. After a few strokes the Eagles settled into a power ten and quickly pulled back the lead. After 33 strokes it was all over, and the Eagles won by a couple seats.
After a spin at Jesus Lock, the Eagles headed back to the start line to spar with their next opponent, Churchill W2, who they had SMOKED the previous day in Spring Head-to-Head. This time, Churchill, who were fresh from having not raced, had the advantage of the inside line.
As the pink and blues lined up at the start, Eddie’s were ready well ahead of their opponents, waiting at front stops for starters orders. As the marshals called for ‘attention, GO!’ the girls laid down their phattest watts as they followed the corner. Stroke sides power was too much for little Dottie, and despite some excellent maneuvering from the cox, blades clashed. Kathy in 7 lost control of her blade, eventually being able to recover it before loosing it immediately again in the chaos. Once the blade was recovered, she was quickly able to get back in time but marshals klaxoned the race.
Both crews were blamed for the clash and given the option to return to the start or carry on from halfway down the course. The Eagles elected to carry on from that point, yet some questionable marshaling put Churchill a couple seats ahead before starters orders. After a strong start and 15 solid stokes, Eddie’s had pulled back a seat, a very close race yet it was not enough to take the dub, meaning the Eagles finished 2nd in their category for the second day in a row.
An excellent race from both Churchill and Cauis resulted in an incredibly enjoyable day of racing and a result that the Eagles can be proud of. To finish off the day (coincidental C-Sunday) the girls celebrated in style, by taking on refreshments in a field with hundreds of other students, the final celebration before Exam Term gets into full swing.