HENLEY MASTERS WIN!

I joined Isle of Ely Rowing Club less than 2 years ago. I never thought that I would achieve my lifelong dream of winning Henley Masters in a single scull within that time.

Supported by my No.1 supporter (and soon to be Mrs), and my coach (Mark Goddard, or as I refer to him as ‘the G’), we travelled down to Henley for the three-day Regatta from 10-12^th July. This year was exceptionally hot, and managing these conditions was critical.

Henley Masters Regatta is a 1km two-lane international regatta on the river Thames. Alongside some of the best crews in the country, there are crews from Australia, North America, and Europe. There are also crews with less experience, giving it a go, learning how to fine tune their race craft for the future. I was racing MasD 1x, for age category 50 to 54.

On late Friday afternoon, I faced my first opposition in the quarter final. By 500m I had pulled to a 4-length lead, which allowed me to settle into a slower rhythm and conserve energy. I won by 3 lengths, and it was nice to get a comfortable win under my belt.

The semi-final was on Sunday morning, and I was racing last year’s losing finalist. The Wallingford sculler pushed hard from the start and was holding a length on me at 500m. I felt confident that I still had plenty of strength in my legs. With 300m to go, I pushed and went past him. With 200m remaining the Wallingford sculler gave up, and I was able to paddle light the last few strokes, conserving energy. I won by 4 lengths, in a time of 3:48.

In the final, which was later Sunday afternoon, I was racing a sculler from Bedford Star. He had won his semi-final in a time of 3:46 by 2 lengths. I had raced him earlier in the year when he beat me by 0.3 seconds, but this time I was much happier with my race preparation. I was feeling stronger and fitter, and I knew it would be a close race.

I had a flying start and soon had 1 length on the Star sculler. I had increased this lead to two lengths by 700m, when wash from a passing cruiser caught my bowside blade causing me to crab. I had to pick the boat speed up again quickly, in which time the Star sculler had decreased my lead to one length. Fatigued from the race and catching a crab, my legs were shot, but I managed to hold on to half a length by the time I crossed the finish line and win the biggest event of my life.

Pete Woodford