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FHBC and women in the 1960s

Most Billygoats would surely agree that, after rowing, the second most important aspect of a university education is probably the opportunity to meet members of the opposite sex. As well as the 50th anniversary of the Headship and the 150th anniversary of the College, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the arrival of women at Fitzwilliam. Before the College was mixed, FCBC shared a boathouse with New Hall perhaps providing opportunities for romance, but before 1966, how did FHBC rowers meet the women of their dreams? Eagle eyed readers of the post on FHBC in the early 60s may have noticed a comment at the end of Secretary Guy Crofts report which I will repeat here as it was badly scanned before.

The Dorothy Cafe dance and its “excess of females” had first occurred a year before in Michaelmas 1961. David Knowles expands:

It was very different then.

The Captain, Mackness, having stated that it was time to put FHBC on the map and that part of his strategy was to have a Dance, he allocated jobs. Venue, band, bar etc was easily decided and delegates went off to fix. “But Robin, where do we get Women? Those few there are in Cambridge [at Girton, Newnham and Homerton] don’t go to Dances with men from Fitzwilliam, they go to Balls with men from Trinity and St Johns”? I distinctly remember Robin saying “leave it to me” with a knowing smirk. It had become a bit of a habit on fine days to have a pint at lunchtime and take it onto the pavement of Trumpington St and watch the talent leaving a Language School further up the street; a seed was sown. Robin went home for the weekend to Bedford where Dad ran the printing company and came back with the grandest invitations I had ever seen – crinkly gold embossed edges, colour embossed print, FHBC crest, the lot. Then he found his interview suit and a clean shirt, told me to do likewise and dragged me along in a support role to the School and asked to see the Head. I found it hard to keep a straight face as Robin explained that we were organising a Dance to further international understanding and maybe some of her nicer young ladies would appreciate the opportunity to meet some of the better type of Undergraduate. He could vouch for the behaviour of us lot; that it was to be a grand occasion and he hoped she would be prepared to recommend it to some of her nicest students; she, the Head, meanwhile running her fingers over the embossed writing and clearly impressed….

The girls that turned up out of the blue were glorious, uncomplicated and fun. After all they were in Cambridge to become fluent in English – not for them the earnest slog of lectures and essays. Native talent was unable to compete. We had opened a mine of international relationships and many long term friendships and more – I know of at least two marriages – came about. I still get turned on by [female] foreign accents! And the FHBC Michaelmas Dance became an instant traditional fixture.

Happy days,

David Knowles

Dec 2019

Fairbairns & Pudding Races 2018

There was a strong Billygoats presence at the Fairbairns this year with a IV joining the traditional President’s VIII, which unusually raced in the Mens Senior Division at 9:30 (presumably as there was no 1st VIII this year). Again ably arranged by Adrian Tollet, the event went like clockwork on race day itself, despite our managing to somewhat disconcert ourselves the day before by questioning at the last minute whether it was necessary or wise to have a practice outing at 7am, and the danger of a lack of breakfast. It was either too late to change the arrangements or our email skills were not up to the task and, hair shirts donned, we set the alarm and tried to limit the alcohol consumption on Thursday night.

Despite our 9.30 race start causing us to rush breakfast (and, even worse, eat less!), the VIII had a good row, going over most of the course at a rating of about 30 (though there seemed to be some question in the minds of the bank party whether this rating was set by 8 or 6!). Perhaps being at least nominally Senior Men fooled us into rowing better. It certainly was the President’s VIII this year as the President once more stamped her authority on it from the cox’s seat, steering an excellent course (with no help needed!), and keeping the rating up and the quality high by calling for length and timing when she could see us flagging. Some may feel that she took it a step too far on the way back when the red mist descended and she called for those 10 stroke bursts at race pace to successfully hold off (honest!) Oriel (the winners) as they were trying to overtake us, especially for the older or more girthsome in the crew, but I wouldn’t dare think that.

We came 53rd out of 62, in a time of 17:33, lagging 3:22 behind the winners, Oriel Oxford. We were 1:04 quicker than last year when the crew lagged the winners by 4:12 so we felt it was a creditable performance. I think we can all agree that this photo demonstrates the professionalism and organisational skills of all concerned (including super-sub Roly Beevor who took it), and the flag looks nice.

President’s VIII : David Birtwhistle (Bow), Paul Wallace (2), Robert Doe (3), John Roberts (4), Nick Francis (5), Tom Watt (6), Neil Gardner (7), Dan George (Stroke), Carole Wright (Cox)

Fitz Fairbairn IV : Adrian Tollett (Bow), Clive Woodman (2), Chris Radford (3), Fabien White (Stroke), Robert Machado (Cox)

Chris Radford writes: The Fairbairn IV met for the first time as a crew at 7am on a very pleasant Friday morning to have a practice outing. We started off feeling our way and the boat was a bit wobbly, but by the time we got to the Long Reach we were rowing comfortably and Robert got us to do some short pieces at race pace on our way back.

For the race, we stepped into the boat at 14:20 and were started by 14:30. We had planned to go off at rating 22, but somehow we seem to get up to 25 and 26 and keep that going for the whole 3400m to the finish at The Plough. Some patches were much better than others but we held it together and maintained a reasonable balance of the boat and were able to send it away consistently. Two (much younger) crews overtook us on the Long Reach. Our average age was around 60, so we were pleased to put in a solid row and end up 43rd out of 55 boats. We all look forward to trying again next year.

On Saturday afternoon we had Pudding Races, once more organised by Robert Doe. Three crews made up of a selection of Billygoats, experienced student men and women, and novice student men and women raced over about 4-500m up and down the Long Reach.

In the Billygoat, the crew ‘Christmas Carole’ consisted of Carole Wright (Cox), Jeff Lyness (Str), Chris Radford (7), ??? (6), Brian Smith (5), Jared (4), Hilary (3), Ritwik (2), Jemima (Bow)

In the Ken Drake, ‘Reindeer Rob’ comprised Rob Machado (Cox), Tom Watt (Str), Tom (7), Matt Bergin (6), Irene (5), Paul Wallace (4), Conor (3), Nikita (2), Cassandra (1)

In the Ray Kelly, ‘Holly Helen’ (or was it Holy Helen) was Helen Holmes (Cox), Dan George (Str), Andre N-B (7), Will Marks (6), David Birtwhistle (5), Miguel (4), Izzy (3), Tim (2), Harriet (1)

Marshalls: Antony Moule, Robert Doe, Emily, Maya, Alan

Thanks very much to Robert for organising, the Marshalls for marshalling and apologies for the lack of surnames for the students.

It was an exciting event. The crews paddled down to the bottom of the Long Reach, doing a few 10s and practice starts on the way, with Christmas Carole the first to arrive and Holly Helen the second. These two crews lined up for the first race. HH went off the start like the proverbial rocket, building a lead of about a length fairly quickly. The 36+ rating (which over-rated CC by at least 3 or 4 pips) was maintained all the way down the course, though certain crew members may have flagged a bit towards the end. Victory gained, HH went off to pant uncontrollably and cox declared that she had remembered a concept called “the stride” from her time at Fitz and wondered whether we had any use for it.

Reindeer Rob having arrived, the next race was lined up between RR and CC. It seemed to take a while to get straight but eventually, off they went, and RRs freshness told as they won, setting up a final with HH. The organisers now demonstrated their ingenuity by setting up a Bronze Medal event between CC and Alan Marron in a single. Having narrowly lost both their races, CC were not about to lose to a single, and nor did they.

There was a bit of a delay before the final, as the umpires let some other crews come down, the rest no doubt approciated by both crews. At the starting gun, the same story was repeated with HH building up about 1 length off their high-rating start but then a new strategy was tried – the stride that cox had remembered. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to work that well, and coincided with a big push from RR that enabled them to pull back to about 1/3 length deficit a little after the halfway point. HH 7 man called for an “up 2”, their rate went back into the stratosphere, and HH pulled ahead, and seeing this RR lost heart and dropped back. So Holly Helen won the Puddings, and the moral of the story undoubtedly is “the higher the rating the faster you go”.

Thanks to Emily Lees for the Pudding Races photos.

FHBC in the early 60s

In addition to the 1962 3rd VIII Lent Bumps saga described elsewhere by Michael Bucher, Guy Crofts and contemporaries have been collecting photos, documents and memories of their times on the river in the early 60s. Here are a few items of interest, and some more scans of the Boat Club Secretary’s records.

1962 1st Lent VIII

1962 2nd Lent VIII

Here is the Boat Club Secretary’s report for Lent 62.

Here is an extract from the Fitzwilliam Society Journal about the Boat Club in 1962-63.

1963 FITZWILLIAM BOATCLUB REPORT

Boat Club Secretary for Mich 62 and Lent 63

1963 1st May VIII

1963 Mays and Henley

1964 1st May VIII

A record-breaking 13 bumps! – Fitzwilliam House 1962 Lent Bumps 3rd VIII

As far as we are aware, the 13 bumps made by Fitzwilliam House 3rd VIII in the 1962 Lent Bumps is a record. Michael Bucher, who stroked the crew, shares his photos, cuttings and recollections:

The Lents in 1962 took place on February 28^th to March 3^rd. The 3^rd VIII were a novice crew whose only rowing experience had been the 1961 Fairbairn race. I am not sure what the selection process was or by whom, but the crew consisted of:

Bow: G.B. Beale, 2: J.R. Brown, 3: J.W. Parle, 4: C.A. Fordyce,5: S.A. Davis, 6: D.J. Latchford, 7: R.J. Perkins, Stroke: M.J. Bucher, Cox: D.M. Cuckson coached by N.Vincent, D.W. Evans and I.J. Worthington.

Added Feb 2022

Back row – George Beale, David Latchford, Chris Fordyce, JR Brown, Robert Perkins, J W Parle,

Middle Row – Michael Bucher, Ian Worthington, Robin Mackness, N Vincent, Simon Davis.

Floor – David Cuckson, (cox),

The average weight of the crew was 11 stone (70 kilos). I don’t think any of us had ever seen or experienced a bumps race and we had no idea what was going on or what to expect. That year there were 5 divisions and Fitzwilliam House III was 4^th in the 5^th division. Churchill’s 1st VIII were 6 places lower down from us as it was their first year of the bumps, they went up 4 places, Churchill were just above C.U.W.B.C. who went down 4 places during the 4 days.

At start gun, we just rowed like hell, but not very tidily judging by the photo. By first post corner we were gaining little on Queens V but who soon put Corpus III out of their misery by bumping them in the gut. With those two boats out of the way and with clear water we rowed down Kings III for an overbump by the Glass Houses. The bank crew then instructed us to turn around and row down to Baitsbite lock and prepare to row again at the bottom of division IV. Our boat was due back at the Fitz boathouse for the 2^nd VIII crew to row in Division III and as the college only possessed two eight’s at the time, another eight had to be borrowed!

Back down at the lock, we had half an hour to get out of the boat, congratulate ourselves and generally get pumped up before the division IV boats arrived. Confidence levels were very high for a quick bump, these novices had got it all sorted!

The start gun is slightly muffled near the lock but we took off fast and this time the balance and feel of the boat was definitely better. However with no boat chasing us it was slightly weird as we had no idea how we were doing. Very soon boats seem to be drawn up to the banks on either side and I remember thinking that if there were 16 boats in a division and we are the 17^th boat there may be no boats at all ahead of us to bump. By the time we got to the Gut we had already rowed about half of the course almost flat out and we were beginning to flag as well as losing our confidence. I kept asking the cox what he could see ahead but he was busy steering us round the confusion of bumped boats and he couldn’t see much. As we rounded Grassy Corner and the Cam opened up into the Plough Reach I again asked and he replied that he thought he saw the stern of a boat rowing around Ditton Corner heading up the Long Reach. I asked him to call out to up the rating for 10 and 10 and say there was a boat ahead but not to mention how far it was ahead, the river was clear and we were rowing well. As we turned round the Ditton I glanced up the Reach over my shoulder and saw a rather ragged boat, gently rowing, about 70 yards ahead. By this time our bank crew were beginning to shout and become generally excited. The whole boat crew were now really getting it together and I remember thinking that if the bumps course is only about half the length of the Fairbairn course we couldn’t really be that tired so I kept the rating up to the max. We made a bump 30 yards from the finish line while the bank crew worked out that we had bumped Lady Margaret VI and made a triple overbump and a gain of 17 ½ boat lengths. A gain was of 10 places in the day overall.

We bumped Caius III, Peterhouse III and Lady Margaret V over the next 3 days ending halfway up division IV for a total 13 places gained.

Here is the Boat Club Secretary’s entry for Lent 1962. I hope it is readable.

Ken Drake adds to the story

Update November 2020 – David Knowles found a letter in his attic:

3rd Lent Boat

May Bumps 1962 (update Feb 2022)

Many of the Lent 3rd VIII continued to row in the Mays 1962. Jonathan Harris rowed in it (he had stroked the 1961 Fairbairn novice crew “Eli” which was the 4th boat and was awarded the Billygoats Crockpots because they “gave of their best in the race, going up 10 places”) and sent this photo

Fitzwilliam House 3rd VIII in The Gut on Thursday 14/6/62 during 1962 May races; Bow J Parle, 2 R Brown, 3 D Willats, 4 M Bucher, 5 C Fordyce, 6 JC Harris [1.87m 203kg*], 7 B Atkins, Str D Latchford. Cox D Cuckson

Reunion Row 2018

Reunion Rowers enjoyed outings in an eight and a four with the support of the Boat Club Captains and graduate rowers. Alumni matriculation years varied from 1970 to 1998, with five alumni from 1988. All enjoyed themselves greatly, with those, who had not rowed for a while, relishing the “visceral” feel of being ‘on the water’ again.

Reunion Rower Katie Bycroft commented “It wasn’t blue skies and warm sunshine on the river last Saturday, but the heady sense of a Cambridge summer term hit me forcibly as we ran down to the boathouse from Fitz. The boathouse was stunning, almost unrecognisable with shiny new boats, light oars with no splinters, and a state-of-the-art racking system. Wonderful! The outing (the terminology quickly came flooding back) was great fun. I loved hearing all those phrases again: bow four, from backstops, half slide, square blades… Go! We managed to sit the boat occasionally, but that wasn’t really the point. To be on the Cam in a swish boat with friends and other alumni, indulging in a sport that I grew to love in my time at Fitz, was a treat that I will remember for a long time.”

All our crews are now mixed M/W, reflecting the change in college demographics. ‘Mixed’ is also a good description of the variation in recent experience and fitness levels. Technique soon comes back, if not ideal balance.

We were especially pleased to welcome John Eisold (retired Fitz Head Porter), and his daughter, to see the brand new four, named after him, take to the water. Our thanks as always to Antony Moule, College Boatman and Coach, for his excellent support. Donna Thomas, from the Development Office, provided bank support, and recorded the event on camera. Photos are here:

The Reunion Rowing is now being organised under the auspices of the Billygoats Society. We welcome all alumni who wish to row at the Reunion weekend, not just those from invited years. If you wish to put a crew together from your years, or would like to go on the crew list for future years, please contact Brian Smith (email billygoatsrowing@billygoats.org.uk and put Reunion Row in the title). We email potential rowers in the Spring and crews are ‘finalised’ in early September, with the usual last-minute adjustments on the day.

Brian is looking for a co-organiser at the 2019 Reunion as Mike Thomas will, regretfully, be stepping down. (Note from Mike – I have really enjoyed co-organising the Reunion Row with Brian, following on the tradition of the prior ‘Over Sixties’ rowing. It has been great to widen the age range of alumni rowing. All who take part really enjoy it, as the smiles at the end of the outing show – be they for renewing old friendships, physical enjoyment, or just survival without catching a crab.)

Billy			Kid
Bow	Clare Roberts-Garzaniti	88-91	Bow	Emily Lees	Current
2	Heidi Whitelock	88-91	2	Vincent Toolan	88-91
3	Stefan Rennick-Egglestone	98-01	3	Mike Cowie	78-81
4	Katie Alcock (Bycroft)	88-91	Stroke	Hazel Walker	Current
5	Brian Smith	71-74	Cox	Rob Machado	Current
6	Alan Alcock	88-91
7	Adrian Tollet	72-75
Stroke	Pete Howard	70-73
Cox	Jess Halliday	Current

Mike Thomas

Rhine Marathon 2018

Dark but not long until sun-up, that time every rower knows and associates with a cocktail of tiredness, anxiety and excitement. Not cold but definitely early autumn: no longer the long, hot, memorable summer of 2018. Getting on a coach in the garden suburb of Dusseldorf-Hamm we’re driven to the chemical town of Leverkusen. Three hours later we row 42 kilometres back to where we started.

The Rhine Marathon has been organised by Ruderclub Germania Dusseldorf 1904 since the early ‘70s when Germany was a very different country. Held on the first Saturday of October it now falls around Reunification Day on the 3^rd and Oktoberfest, two features of the current version of Germany.

This is the tenth consecutive year a Billygoats crew have rowed the race. We know that because, unlike banks, broadband providers and insurance companies, the organisers reward loyalty. At the prize giving the crew were called up on stage and given engraved glasses marking the occasion. A thoughtful touch reminding us of the first year we rowed when we were welcomed with a commemorative plate.

We rowed for the first time at the invitation of another Fitz alumnus who had rowed with X-Press. The legacy was passed to us and now it’s time to pass it on. Why do it? The organisers provide a boat, blades and our excellent cox Wolfgang (who even stepped in to row this year as Clive was unable). They welcome you with a meal on Friday night and organise a party on Saturday. A coach is provided: all you do is pay. Accommodation is arranged: all you do is book. How long does it take? Like the University Boat Race, but only in this respect, it’s difficult to compare year on year because of conditions but the winning crew is around two hours, category winners up to 2 ½ hours, average crews up to three and however long for the rest: not that different from a runners marathon.

Plan for Saturday 5^th October 2019: you won’t regret it.

Roly BEEVOR [1977], Simon COLE [1978], Neil GARDNER [1977], Dan GEORGE [1979], Nick TITTLE [1976], Clive WOODMAN [1977]

1970 & 1971 Headship Blades

In May 2018 the Boat Club was notified that a pair of FCBC Headship blades were to be auctioned in Scotland. Both the College and the Billygoats considered the purchase of these but as we already have copies at College we decided not to. Intrigued by the question of how they came to be up for auction I contacted the crew, in particular Charles Lowe, with whom I had been discussing next year’s 50th anniversary of the 1969 Headship. Charles realised that they must belong to Ken Fraser, sadly deceased, and contacted his widow Susie, who later sent a heart-warming email:

Hello Dan, Charles Lowe passed on to me your email about the 1970 and 1971 oars which were auctioned in Scotland in early May. They were, indeed, the oars which belonged to my late husband, Ken Fraser, who was a member of both crews. We had had them originally but they must eventually been left behind in Ken’s mother’s house, in Carnoustie, Angus, when she died. Ken had already predeceased her.

After a roundabout series of events, I was able to buy both oars and have them delivered, one to each of my daughters, who are absolutely delighted to have such splendid mementoes of their father. And I am really pleased to see them again, after all this time. I knew all the members of both crews very well, so they bring back lots of great memories of riverbanks on the Cam – as well as at regattas all over the place. Thank you very much for alerting Charles to the auction. Without that, the oars would have disappeared forever from our family!

It is wonderful that Susie was able to secure the oars for her daughters, so they can be enjoyed by those who appreciate what they represent, as a memento of their father. She was happy for me to share this story with the Billygoats, some of whom will remember Ken Fraser, and all of whom greatly appreciate the achievements of the Head crews of 1969-71.

Many members of these Head crews will be returning to College for a 50th anniversary celebration at the May Bumps Dinner in June 2019, and of course, other Billygoats are invited to join them.

Dan George

Fitzwilliam College Boat Club and some Bathing Beauties in the Sunday Pictorial 25th March 1956

This may well be the one and only time that Fitzwilliam oarsmen have appeared in a photograph in the national press with some bathing beauties. As our two crews were about to go out for a practice row for the forthcoming London Head of the River Race in 1956 a photographer arrived with three of the finalists of the Butlin Holiday Princess contest and asked if he could take a photograph of these girls and our two crews. The girls did not win but had a week’s holiday in London with all expenses paid. The photograph was duly taken and the full version of it is reproduced here. Unfortunately the reporter assumed that the crews were from London Rowing Club as we were using their boathouse as our base for the few days before the actual race so Fitzwilliam does not appear in the brief report accompanying this photograph. There appear to be 12 oars in the photograph so obviously four oarsmen were either too late to be included or decided they did not wish to be in the photograph.

With the help of many of those on the photograph and those who rowed in these two crews we think that the people on the photograph are as follows from left to right cox Peter Lambert, David Warrington, Mike Hall, John Dyson, John Jenner, Hilda Holt 19 of Manchester, Richard Salmon (hidden behind Hilda), Brian Wicks, Alan Warren, Jean Piggott 17 of Manchester, Tony Page, Ida Gillett 22 of Blackburn, Noel Pilling, David Robinson and John Hankin (?? behind John). The actual photograph printed in the paper excluded Peter Lambert and David Warrington on the left and David Robinson and John Hankin and ?? on the right. Whether the fact that we had this photograph taken with these bathing beauties made any difference to our success or otherwise in the actual race could be debated. The 1st VIII retained its starting position of 64th in Division 3 in a time of 21.34 and the 2nd VIII distinguished themselves by rising 96 places starting at 228 as a new entry and finishing at 132nd in a time of 22.21, both were rowing in clinker boats.

Submitted by I K Drake (1953) and A Warren (1953)

The Ken and Vivian Drake Flag presented to the Fitzwilliam College Boat Club at the May Bumps Dinner 2018

It was first mentioned at the 2016 May Bumps Dinner that Ken and his wife Vivian would like to present a flag to the Boat Club as part of their Diamond Wedding celebrations, which was actually on 23rd June 2016. Many college crews winning their blades fly a very distinguished looking flag to commemorate the fact. The Fitzwilliam one was not in that category and Ken felt that he would like to present a flag which really was worthy of the college.

The aim was to obtain a flag of high quality and initially this proved far from easy. Indeed Antony Moule rejected quite a number as not being of high enough standard. He was only finally successful in finding a suitable manufacturer and design in 2018 and having agreed to go ahead the actual flag arrived a few days before the 2018 Mays. It was naturally hoped that one or more Fitzwilliam crews would win their blades and have the privilege of flying the flag but unfortunately that did not happen.

As it was intended to be available for the 2017 season any crews winning their blades in that year ought to have been the first to carry this flag. The only crew to qualify was the Women’s 1st May crew and their name will therefore be inscribed on the metal plate attached to the pole which will record the crews who qualified for and from now on actually flew the flag.

At the May Bumps Dinner 2018 Ken made a short speech and then very slowly unfurled the new flag which was being seen for the very first time by virtually everyone, including Ken. As it was finally open for all to see there was a spontaneous round of applause. Ken then presented the flag to Robert Machado, next year’s Captain of Boats expressing the hope that the flag would be proudly carried by many Fitzwilliam crews in the future. Rob must be the best qualified Captain of Boats ever in terms of rowing or rather coxing for Fitzwilliam as he has been involved with coxing the Women’s first crews since the Fairbairn of 2012 and for 18 terms he has been at the helm apart from one when he was Coxing Representative on the Boat Club Committee.

Ken Drake presenting the new Ken and Vivian Drake Flag to Rob Machado, the Captain of Boats for the 2018-19 year.

The inscription on the pole will read

The Ken and Vivian Drake Flag presented to commemorate their Diamond Wedding on 23 June 2016 at Mays Bumps Dinner2018.

Winners

W1 2017

Fitzwilliam Women’s Squad Competing in Venice

The women’s squad of rowers of Fitzwilliam College Boat Club were challenged by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice to a race on Venice’s Grand Canal, for the first ever all-women’s competition in the historic galeone boats, as part of their campaign to get a women’s race included in Regatta of the Ancient Italian Maritime Republics during its 64th edition in 2019.

The galeone is a 15-meter long boat, weighing over 750 kg, which is almost eight times as heavy as the shells used for rowing on the Cam. The galeone’s seats are fixed, meaning a very different style of rowing than we’re used to – the benches we sat on had a sort of shiny area on which you could slide back and forth a little, but there was a lot less leg power than we’d usually use!

Our crew was formed of current Fitzwilliam students (Ashton Brown, Jess Halliday, Alisha Levermore, Hazel Walker, Melody Swiers and Emily Lees), alumnae (Helen Fishwick and Andrea Stefkova) and two of the CUWBC team who along with Ashton, were the first to row in the Women’s boat race on the tideway in 2015 (Hannah Evans and Claire Watkins).

We were treated with exceptional hospitality by our hosts from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice – they greeted us on Saturday with local pastries, took us across to their training island and gave us a brief lesson in how to operate the galeone. On Saturday evening the crews went for dinner with the Dean of the university, who was very supportive of their campaign, and even rode in the launch behind the boats during the races!

We raced on Sunday, down a section of the Grand Canal, from near the Rialto Bridge back to the University, with police boats diverting the other river traffic to give us a clear run. Unfortunately, the Fitzwilliam crew lost both of the races, the second one only by a small margin, having learnt a lot about how to improve our technique during the first race. Full credit must go to the Venetian team who were very quick off the start line and rowed strongly and consistently over the course on both occasions.

This was an incredible opportunity for both crews to make history as the first all-women’s crews to row these traditional boats in competition, and we hope it will be a great step in the University’s campaign for the inclusion of women’s boats in the Regatta Storica next year.

We feel very lucky to have been invited back to compete again next September (hopefully in the Regatta Storica) and have been offered an extra day of training to even the playing field! We also plan to invite the Venetian team to try their hand at rowing on the Cam in a return challenge.

The crew would like to extend their thanks to the Billygoats society for their support with this trip.