Henley Semi-Final, Cox Recording: Thames vs. Barge Club, USA

The defining race of our season - coxed by Connie Pidoux. Four continuous semi-finals defeats in the Thames Challenge Cup, no win in our namesake event since 1934 and an "old" crew containing numerous Henley finalists - for many in our crew this was their last chance to win a red box. After being rowed down the previous year to Sport Imperial, it became clear to our coach we weren't chokers, we simply weren't fit enough. With many of us having demanding jobs in the City, it was the case of fitting training in...whether that be going to our work gyms during our lunchbreak or jumping on an erg at 9pm.
From this the results followed, with Thames taking the Remenham, Quintin, Bousted and Hammersmith Headships and securing Vernon Trophy at the Head of the River for the first time since 1962. In the summer, we won at Wallingford Regatta, made a "British Club" 2k record and rowed in a series of superb races against Oxford Brookes and Leander. After Marlow regatta we knew we had the speed and the ability to row crews down; we had to just bring it on the day. For us, Barge was the final, a crew containing ex varsity rowers who showed good speed during the Henley week. And so it proved to be the case - not a pretty row but a challenging one. The next day we rowed to victory in the Thames Challenge Cup by over three lengths.
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