Dream Over...

Hi all,

Sorry about the delay, was not really in the mood for blogging yesterday! So sorry we couldn't give you something to celebrate for your Saturday night - unfortunately we weren't quite good enough on the day.

Briefly, conditions were actually quite quick yesterday, our usual headwind was absent, and quick times were being set all morning. Foolishly, we neglected to take note of this and reset our gearing, which we had lightened the day before - a bit amateurish I'm afraid. Nevertheless, London pulled off a great start and had us by a length at the Barrier. Despite being in the same position on Friday with no panic or stress, this time we just never quite settled in, never really struck that efficient rhythm that worked so well the day before.

However, as you will have heard on the radio, we did pull back steadily through London, although it took us until Remenham (about 700 to go) to get back on terms. A nasty little battle ensued over the next 300m that, in retrospect, cost us far too much. I for one hope there is no video of the final 500m, because I'm fairly sure I wasn't looking my best. :) We managed to hang on through to the 1&1/8 mile, (300 to go), but London produced a final burst that was nothing short of astounding, left us virtually dead in the water.

We clearly needed to put them under pressure much earlier in the race to take that sting out of them, but were just as clearly unable to do so. Beaten by a better crew on the day. The London crew came to see us immediately after the race, they had been quite concerned, not knowing whether or not we had a finishing burst in us. They are thrilled to be through to the final, understandably, and will now face the Tideway Scullers crew that have been the overwhelming favourites all week.

Off to watch that race now, not sure who to barrack for, there is an Australian rowing in the Tideway crew, but London did beat us...

Will be back on in a better mood later.

Cheers, Drew