St Catharine's College Boat Club

SCCBC entered 5 events in the SBR this year. Due to a shortage of marshalls, all races were run side-by-side over a 500m course on the reach.

Men's captain-elect Will Norman (M1 Lents 2015) raced in the Peter Brandt (Men's Novice) Sculls: having only learnt to row in October, and not been in a scull before January, he battled hard but was ultimately well beaten by a significantly more experienced sculler from FaT. Sarah Lucas (Women's Captain 2013-14, CUWBC Lightweights 2014-15) was declared the winner of the Delafield (Women's Elite) Sculls by virtue of being the only entrant, before teaming up with a fellow trialist from Fitz to race in the Women's Double Sculls. The straight final against Caius was possibly one of the closest races of the day, with Caius half a length up at the finish.

I had entered the Fairbairn Junior Sculls for the second year running: having had my opponent scratch on the morning of the regatta, I found myself with a bye into the semi-finals. I was a canvas up after the first five strokes, but never properly settled and found my opponent rowing through me, winning by roughly a length of clear water. Sarah and I then teamed up for the Mixed Doubles - again a scratching opposition (apparently one of them was still at Caversham for the GB trials) meant we had a bye into the semi-finals. Our first race was a fairly relaxed row against Selwyn, with Catz 3 lengths up at the finish. We knew we would have to race much harder to win the final against a very experienced Magdalene/Caius brother-and-sister pairing, and desite our best efforts, their height and weight advantage prevailed.

Congratulations to all those who raced today, and many thanks to the umpires and marshalls for ensuring the event could run. Hopefully Catz can build on today's results, and maintain our position as one of the top "Small Boats" colleges. FTW!