Here's how it went down. We got out there, late, past our designated time. There was a "kit order" problem, which translates as the Hilda's team that was racing before us were later getting back to the boathouse than our boat time. Then, we discovered that Benets had borrowed our boat, the footplate at #3 had broken, and they didn't say anything. Shit. Benets, you OWE us, you realize. Okay. So, Carrie duct-taped her feet to the footplate (i'm not kidding). Some other minor problems with the lights on the boat and the freezing weather in the queue, but we made it to the start line!
The marshall calls our race to a start, and we're off! We're neck and neck with St Anne's, when the klaxon sounds. This is the signal from the marshals to STOP rowing, so both boats go still. Apparently someone has capsized upriver. After a few minutes, they tell us we will restart from where we are. So we line up again, and this time, when the START goes off, we really hit it. We started all together, we got the first few sharp strokes together. By the time we settle into a pace, we are a half boat-length ahead of Anne's. Then, suddenly, Anne's just stops rowing. Word from our bank coach, Alice, was that they stopped for no apparent reason. So, we just kept on as though nothing happened, and Anne's came in a few minutes later. We're still not sure what went on there.
Photos to be posted after friday's race. 12 noon. Come on down. We're racing Worcester (say this like you would the Massachusetts town, "wooster"). Boathouse island is probably the best place, but you can also come to Longbridges (on the county side of the river) if you want to be at Hilda-beast headquarters. Onward!
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