CCBC 2024 Lent Bumps Report

CCBC Bumps Report Lents 2024: M1: Day 1: M1 We got off to a strong start, holding station with the Fitzwilliam crew chasing us. We had a clean row round first post corner, with our cox taking excellent lines that gave us a two length lead.

As we settled into our longer race rhythm, we kept this distance. On the reach Fitzwilliam began creeping up on us, and we wrestled with keeping them off onto the final straight. The boys gave everything they had but we could not see them off, and despite one final burst of effort they caught us.

Day 2: Rest Day Day 3: We were gearing up for an intense race, aware of the speed of the Selwyn crew chasing us and the potential to catch Caius II. A strong start put us in a good position, immediately taking distance out of Caius. As we came round first post corner we had a whistle on them, gaining further, but Selwyn were also gaining. Coming through the gut we got to two whistles and were quickly sandwiched. In a very tight race, Selwyn just managed to get their bows to overlap us before we could catch Caius.

Day 4: We were hoping today would be the day our luck turned, but were well aware that Corpus Christi behind us had bumped the previous two days. Despite this pressure we managed to achieve a controlled and powerful start to stay a station ahead of them. We settled into our longer race rhythm into the gut, maintaining this distance, until they were caught on grassy corner. We did not take our feet of the accelerator, and as we came on to the reach another rhythm call set us up for the furious headwind we now faced. We maintained this pace down the reach and past the P & E, staying well clear of Wolfson some distance behind us, all the way to the finish post.

Day 5: We were feeling good after our row over yesterday and were keen to get a bump on Caius II, who we narrowly missed on Thursday. We managed to achieve one of our better starts, which immediately put us up half a length. As we came around first post corner and into the gut we steadily closed this gap and settled into a powerful, controlled rhythm. As they came closer to our grasp, a determined final 20 call got us to make the final push - our bow ball moved past their cox and they conceded opposite the Plough. Hopefully, this bump is a sign of things to come in Mays!

W1: Day 1: Rest Day Day 2: Having had a fairly clean row up to the station, W1 set off quickly. With lots of anticipation in the boat we settled quite high. Going into our settle we had one whistle on Fitz but were also being hotly perused by Sidney who in turn were being chased by Queens. With all of the boats being tightly packed it was anyone's game. Sadly, it was not our day. Just as we moved further up on Fitz, Sidney proceeded to sprint in a desperate attempt to escape Queens, bumping us in process as we rounded first post corner. A close race and one that fuels us to take on Sidney again today.

Day 3: Chasing the boat that had bumped them the day prior, W1 entered day 2 with cautious optimism - still very much gunning for a bump. With a strong start pushing them away from Queens, W1 coasted through the first corner. By this point both the boats in front of them, as well as the pair of boats behind them had bumped out. Calming down into a nice settle, the crew let up on the pressure a bit. Suddenly, rounding onto the reach, Peterhouse women began to gain! Despite a very impressive overbump attempt by a veryyyy strong crew, the girls pushed on and beat them to the finish- successfully completing a rowover! On to chasing Fitz (again!)

Day 4: In what W1 knew would likely be a quick race, we prepped to row our quickest first 20 of the year! With another shot to Bump Fitz who has eluded us on Wednesday we knew we could gain on them, but the strength of Catz behind us wouldn’t end up giving us the time. Having come second in Fairbairns, we knew keeping away from Catz W1 was going to be a tall order, and despite having two whistles on Fitz at the time W1 were bumped on the long reach.

Day 5: Chasing the second fastest women’s boat on the river, who were also on for blades (chasing a crew they had already bumped due to an overbump by Queens which saw them in front of Catz twice in one campaign), W1 knew their odds of getting a bump were slim. Despite this, the girls aimed to hit a strong start and take the race as it came. With Catz expectedly bumping Queens before first post, W1 pivoted their race plan to hitting a strong row over, determined to not give even one length to Peterhouse who were gunning for an over bump. Powering themselves through the plough, the girls made a strong move going onto the reach and further increased their lead.

Ultimately, a healthy gap of 5-6 boat lengths was maintained between Christ’s and Peterhouse the entire course and our Lent Bumps campaign ended with a clean row over. While down 2 was in no way the results W1 had hoped for or expected, our performance this bumps saw both some of our best rowing of term and brought attention to some corrections for the crew to make before Mays.

M2: Day 1: After a difficult start, and an altercation with the bank for bow side right off the the gun, M2 stayed calm and found their rhythm. Fitz in front bumped fast, leaving the Christ’s boys fighting to row over at the front of a three-boat train. Peterhouse pushed them for three hard minutes, themselves under threat from Clare Hall behind, before bumping them just after the Plough. Nell did an admirable job avoiding the chaos in front, Max a powerful shift as our last minute sub in five and, overall, the crew pushed hard, gave it their all and are looking forward to trying it again tomorrow this time with a point to prove.

Day 2: With a scratch crew, the M2 boat gain confidence, speed and drive with every start.

Conveniently, today they got two! After a strong first 20, moving to within a length of Peterhouse, an incident at the front put a stop to proceedings. It was frustrating to see the best start yet for the crew not receiving the Bump it deserved, particularly considering that the second attempt was a little weaker. Over four minutes of nervy waiting for the second start didn’t help! Still, the boys dug deep and held Clare Hall at over a station’s length. This time they reached Grassy before another hold up gave M2 a technical row over. With Peterhouse already bumping themselves out, it was a good result and saved the boys’ legs for two more days of rowing. It looks more promising with every outing!

Day 3: Rest Day Day 4: M2 got their bump! They did not make it easy for themselves either! Clare Hall behind went for the early bump and pushed hard round First Post Corner. They got within half a length before the boys dug deep and pulled some distance down the Gut. They were rewarded. Clare Hall were bumped round Grassy and M2 could turn their attention ahead to Trinity Hall - who had gone off hard at a rate 45. After more power-10s than their lungs could endure, the crew got the bump done just past the Plough.

Day 5: Still riding the high of yesterday’s bump, M2 were desperate not to concede the revenge to Trinity Hall behind. With the Plough full of supporters, we planned to go off hard; Trinity Hall hit a rate 45 off the gun yesterday! In our heads, we were running a 500m sprint. In reality, before even hitting 500, we were in a race against ourselves. Trinity Hall had been bumped out behind and Peterhouse in front had built a healthy margin. When Fitz caused a technical row over, it was merely the faster route to the same result. We finish Bumps where we started and our ragtag group of scratch rowers could not be more pleased.

W2: Day 1: W2 had a speedy victory today which set them up with confidence and excitement for the week ahead. Drawing the short end of the straw on station 6, next to the outflow and the starting canons, they still managed to pull off a lovely start and after the first 20 strokes Kate was already blowing the whistle. The middle section of rowing was a bit frantic with all the excitement so early on but the crew managed to bring it back to close in on Emma W3 and achieve the first bump on the river! A fantastic, short race leaving the crew with plenty of energy for tomorrow. W1 – Rest Day Day 2: W2 had a second successful day today, bumping Clare II after a very strong race. After such a great start yesterday, spirits were high and Ben’s birthday coxing powers steered the boat even more effortlessly than usual around the corners, closing in on the competition. It was a longer race but also a better row, as the crew really settled into a good rhythm and power after the first minute or so. Feeling ready for a day off and eager to come back for more, it was a great day on the Cam! Day 3: Rest Day Day 4: Another speedy bump, but this time with much more power and rhythm. Now in a comfortable starting position far enough ahead of the first corner but further from the (scary) starting canons, W2 had a slightly shaky first couple of strokes fighting the headwind before pulling it together to row hard and together. About a length and a half from Downing before the corner, stern 4 put some major watts down and the gap closed to half a length. Just a few strokes later, contact was made!

Day 5: W2 started the final day of their bumps campaign more determined than ever and ready to give it everything to secure those blades… and they were successful! Pulling off a great start and the highest rate of the week, Ben’s incredible coxing and the crew’s power made the corners the spot to gain on Queens yet again. A longer race than the day before, they caught Queens just coming onto the Plough and it was smiles all around for the (exhausted) row back home with Ben hoisting the Christ’s flag. It was a great campaign with even greater results!