============================================================ INDOOR ROWING NEWSLETTER #49 ====================== 28-November-2001 ====================== _________________________________________________ C O N T E N T S 1. Important News 2. PPP Healthcare British Indoor Rowing Championship 3. Indoor Rowing Grand Prix Series 4. Tel's Tales 5. BluRed IRC **************************** Feedback Back Issues Subscription Information ________________________________________________________________ ========================================================= Important Information ========================================================= Shortly before the championship, a couple of enterprising young ratboys nicked most of the computers plus the server from Indoor Rowing Towers. Not only does this mean we've haven't played Minesweeper for the past fortnight, but we've not had any e-mails either. Hence the tardiness of the newsletter, hence the fact that any e-mails you've sent us have struggled to get through, also hence the reason why we've been shaking our fists and saying "Curse you, ratboys" every half an hour. Anyway, if you've sent us anything since November 8th, whether it's a request to unsubscribe, questions for Tel's Tales or marriage proposals, and you've not received a reply yet, your best bet is to send it to us again. Apologies for that. Curse you, ratboys. ========================================================= PPP healthcare British Indoor Rowing Championship ========================================================= So yeah, that was pretty cool then. We had over 2,000 people compete on the day, another 6,000 through the doors, a fantastic day's racing and, for the first time, we managed to get on Grandstand last week, nestled alongside the 1:55 from Ascot. Without doubt, the race that the audience was up for was the Men's Open Hwt. Racing in the event was most of the British National squad, including all of the coxless four world champions. The superstars, however, were undoubtedly the pairing of James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent, and it was these two who bossed proceedings. They both set off incredibly strongly, hitting 1:19 splits early on. After 1,200 metres Cracknell had established a bit of a lead, and he pushed strongly in the third 500 metres to try and make the gap too much for Pinsent to claw back. Matthew: "I knew he was ahead by then and going away. I thought, I've just got to try and hang in there and hope it's not too much. With 500 to go, I thought I need to go now if I'm going to get back into it. With 300 to go, I thought try again. With 250 to go, I thought if I don't go now, I've got absolutely zero chance of winning it. So I just stuck it in there." Matthew's comeback initially seemed too late, but as both men thundered towards the line, he seemed to find another gear, and as the dust settled, incredibly he'd snatched James' crown away from him by the barest margin available, a single tenth of a second, 5:47.5 versus 5:47.6. Although never one to take defeat lightly, James could at least take some positives from the experience. "Matthew is known in the rowing world for his strength. Now everyone knows we're both good, we're a strong duo," he said. "I'm pleased, but also frustrated. It was good news for the pair today, but now I'm going to have Matthew looking at his watch when I turn up for training saying: 'I see I'm here 0.1 seconds earlier than you . . .' "That was the first time he's beaten me all year, but he hasn't won three Olympic gold medals for nothing. In front of the public, he just hung in there and blasted through at the end. I said beforehand: 'If he beats me, it'll be by 0.1 sec' but if we'd raced in private I would have beaten him. Definitely." The Women's Open Hwt was equally as enthralling. The start saw British girl Katherine Grainger get off to a flyer, and at the halfway stage she'd set up a decent-sized lead. From then on, however, she was hunted down by the current world champion, Hurnet Dekkers from Holland, and the world record holder, New Zealand's Georgina Evers-Swindell. With 200 metres to go, Dekkers had taken the pole position and, try as she might, Katherine just couldn't keep Georgina from second place, being overtaken in the last couple of metres. Dekkers set a new championship record of 6:32.9. There were no real surprises in the Lightweight events. For the Men, world record holder Eskild Ebbessen from Denmark brought home the bacon in 6:09.0. He was pushed hard, however, by the British record holder Tim Male, who finished with silver in 6:11.0. The Women's race was dominated by Helen Casey, who romped home in 7:05.8, well inside her own championship record, and comfortably ahead of Denmark's Juliane Elander. The other big race of the day was the Men's 30-34 Hwt, and this lived up to all expectations. Lining up at the start were Nik Fleming and Chris Rushton, the only two non-rowers ever to go under six minutes, last year's winner Tony Larkman and former world champion Colin Greenaway. The race turned out to be a stone-cold classic. Fleming and Rushton matched each other inch for inch for the first 1,400 metres, before a slight wobble by Fleming allowed Rushton to get his nose cleanly in front for the first time. Then, with 500 metres to go, Tony Larkman made a huge surge that gobbled up the space between him and the two front- runners, and with 100 metres to go, he had overtaken Fleming and was closing fast on Rushton. Chris kept his cool, however, and finished equally strongly, crossing the line in 5:57.5, breaking the 5:58.1 set by Nik at the Nuneaton IRC for the title of fastest ever non- rower. Amongst certain indoor rowers, there's an informal spread of categories known as the "Well 'Ard Middle Aged Men", and these races are always guaranteed to provide excitement. In the Men's 40-44 Hwt John Dixon, competing in his first championship, romped away with the title in 6:04.9, nearly nine seconds ahead of George Gillies in second place, breaking Andy Ripley's five year old British record in the process. Speaking of Andy Ripley, he maintained his awesome record. His 6:20.1 in the men's 50-54 Hwt resulted in the eighth gold for the former British Lion, who also saw his former team mate Roger Uttley improve on last year's performance by one place to take silver. Another great race was the Men's 45-49 Hwt, in which the first three places were covered by just seven-tenths of a second, Paul Flack coming out top in 6:22.3. Graham Price of Newark RC made his mark on the day when he broke his own British record for 40-49 Lwt for the second time in two months, winning the 40-44 Lwt event in 6:22.1. Worthy of a special mention is David Hislop of The Forum Flyers. Not only did he win the 45- 49 Lwt category in 6:41.0, he then raced in the 45-49 Hwt category four hours later to finish 26th in 6:47.7. In the Women's 50-54 Hwt, Anna Bailey narrowly failed to break her own world record, but she still sheared an amazing 53.6 seconds off the existing championship record, winning the event in 7:10.9. Also putting in good performances, were Shelagh Allen (60-69 Hwt), Paddy Rouse (70+ Hwt), Gillian Burrell (60-69 Lwt) and Mavis Surridge (70+ Lwt), who all added more gold medals to their collections. In Gillian's case, she's now won gold at the last five championships. In the Junior Events, the big story was in the J18 Hwt, where Matt Langridge beat the old British and Championship record by exactly a second when he finished in 5:59.0. Matt, who won the single sculls at the Junior World Championships in Duisburg, is definitely a name for the future. Peter Fields, the man whose record Matt took, marked his return to the indoor rowing stage in fine style, winning the U23 Hwt event in 5:52.2, the third fastest time of the day and a new Championship record to boot. Also in a record-breaking mood was Lizzie Tatman in the Women's J18 Lwt, who demolished her own British record by over eight seconds, with 7:29.0. It was the other end of the spectrum, however, which saw the only world record. The day's oldest competitor, John Hodgson broke his old 90-99 Lwt mark, to set a new time of 9:28.1. The championship isn't about the headline-makers and the record-breakers though. It's about everybody who turns up, determined to give as good an account of themselves as possible. To that end, our real heroes are those who came and gave it their all. Such as the man who, having rowed himself into unconsciousness, had to have his wife sign his time for him. Unfortunately, she signed for a time several seconds slower than he actually did, which we hope didn't lead to too many arguments before we were able to change it. So to everybody who competed, whether you did six minutes or ten, whether you're a wily old veteran or a callow first-timer, thanks for turning up and making the event possible. And, hopefully, we'll see you all next year at the NIA on November 17th 2002. ------------------------------------------------ Results and Reports ------------------------------------------------ Full results and pictures can be found at http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/results.htm while more detailed race reports and a summary of all medallists can be found at http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/news.php. ------------------------------------------------ Feedback ------------------------------------------------ We're always keen to hear what people thought of the champs, especially if they've got any suggestions or criticisms. Drop us an e-mail at webmaster@concept2.co.uk or, alternatively, drop onto our message board at http://www.concept2.co.uk/messageboard.htm ------------------------------------------------ Team Championship ------------------------------------------------ This year saw the debut of a team competition. There were four separate categories: Championship (for the fastest team overall), Club (which excluded international oarsmen and women), Collegiate and Junior, with the eight fastest individual times added together to produce the team score. The overall winners for the Men's Championship Team were, unsurprisingly, Leander Club, who averaged an amazing 5:54.4 per person. Oxford University won both the Men and Women's Collegiate event, which might be of interest for those tempted by an early doors flutter on next year's Boat Race... Men's Events ----------------------------- Event, Club, Total Time Championship Eight: Leander Club, 47:14.9 Club Eight: Leander Club, 50:07.4 Collegiate Eight: OUBC, 48:04.6 Junior Eight: Radley College, 54:14.7 Women's Events ----------------------------- Championship Eight: OUWBC, 57:56.3 Club Eight: Thames RC, 59:18.8 Collegiate Eight: OUWBC, 57:56.3 Junior Eight: King's Sch. Worcester, 62:29.8 Full results can be found here: http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/news.php?news=team_results.inc ------------------------------------------------ Millennium Cup ------------------------------------------------ The Noel Frost Millennium Cup is awarded to the veteran rower (i.e. over 50) with the best time compared to the current world record. Although the day saw several great veteran performances, the Cup stays in the hands of last year's winner, John Hodgson from Armley Leisure Centre in Leeds. A more than deserving victor, John recorded the day's only world record performance when he broke his own time set back in February, at the World Indoor Rowing Championships, by exactly one and a half seconds. Name, Club, Event, Time, % of World Record John Hodgson, Armley L Ctr, Men's 80+ Lwt, 9:28.1, 100.3% Anna Bailey, One on One Malvern, Women's 50-54 Hwt, 7:10.9, 99.0% Peter Mahoney, Southsea RC, Men's 50-54 Lwt, 6:44.9, 96.8% Arnold Cooke, Minerva Bath RC, Men's 60-64 Hwt, 6:44.5, 96.8% Andy Ripley, Tideway Scullers, Men's 50-54 Hwt, 6:20.1, 96.7% Janet Parker, One On One Worcs, Women's 50-54 Lwt, 8:06.1, 96.5% ------------------------------------------------ Race T-Shirts and Sweatshirts ------------------------------------------------ We've still got a couple of BIRC T-Shirts and Sweatshirts left over. If you hurry and beat the thronging masses, you can buy them at the knockdown price of a fiver for a T-shirt and a tenner for a Sweatshirt. Best hurry, though, as there ain't that many left. Call Concept 2 on 0115 945 5522 or go to http://www.concept2.co.uk/v4/merchandise_clothing.php3 ------------------------------------------------ Video Footage ------------------------------------------------ You can now find a selection of QuickTime video clips on the BIRC web site. There are interviews with five of the race winners, plus footage of James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent during their titanic ding dong for the Men's Open crown. http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/news.php?news=video_clips.inc ------------------------------------------------ Race Photographs ------------------------------------------------ Fancy that snap of yourself having it large on the winner's podium? Or of your spouse/significant other turning puce over the last 500 metres? Contact GeeWhizz on 0115 9508359 or enquiries@geewhizz.co.uk and they'll try and sort you out. ------------------------------------------------ World IRC ------------------------------------------------ Last year, Concept 2 paid for six athletes to attend the World Indoor Rowing Championship in Boston, USA. This year, funds are available for eight athletes, four under the age of 50 and four over it. The athletes are selected on the basis of the comparison of their BIRC times to the current world championship record. Name, Club, Event, Time, WCR, % of WCR Under 50s Matt Langridge, Oxford Brookes Uni., J18 Hwt, 5:59.0, 99.94% Graham Price, Newark RC, 40-44 Lwt, 6:22.1, 99.29% Katherine Grainger, St Andrew BC, Open Hwt, 6:35.1, 99.29% Naomi Ashcroft, Upper Thames RC, 30-34 Lwt, 7:11.4, 98.73% Helen Mangan, London, 40-44 Lwt, 7:19.1, 98.54% Over 50s Anna Bailey, One on One, Malvern, 50-54 Hwt, 7:10.9, 101.32% John Hodgson, Armley S Ctr, 90+ Lwt, 9:28.1, 100.26% Peter Mahoney, Southsea RC, 50-54 Lwt, 6:44.4, 97.18% Paddy Rouse, TJ's Exercise Studio, 70+ Hwt, 9:24.1, 96.88% Although Matt Langridge finished top of the pile, he won't be eligible to compete in the J18 Hwt at the next world indoor rowing championship. The world championship takes place on the 24th of February in Boston, USA. More info can be found at http://www.concept2.co.uk/wirc ------------------------------------------------ Competition Winners ------------------------------------------------ PPP healthcare ran two competitions throughout the course of the day. The first was a children's colouring competition, with judge James Cracknell awarding first prize of a teddy bear to Tegan Parsons of Evesham in the Under Six competition, and a Crayola Crayon Set to Imogen Baylis of Cambridge in the Six to Twelve Year Olds. The other competition was a prize draw, with the numero uno prize being a football signed by the entire England football team. The first name plucked out of the hat was Robert Simeone of Sidcup. ========================================================= Indoor Rowing Grand Prix ========================================================= Missed out at BIRC? Got the taste for lactate flowing through your veins? Fortunately, relief is near to hand, as next month sees the start of the 2001/2002 Indoor Rowing Grand Prix series. The IRGP is a new concept in indoor rowing, uniting four of the biggest regional races under one umbrella. You can take part in as many or as few of the races as you want. As well as the prizes and medals for the individual races, at the end of the Grand Prix season your three best results will count towards your overall Grand Prix performance. Entries have now closed for the first race in the series, the Irish IRC in Dublin on December 9th. The next race after that is the East Midlands IRC in Nottingham on Sunday, January 13th. NOTE: Although the race is in shiny exciting new 2002, the deadline for entry is December 21st in dull old 2001, so make sure you get your entry in well before Hogmanay. More details and entry forms and stuff can be found on the IRGP web site at http://www.concept2.co.uk/gp ========================================================= Tel's Tales ========================================================= Tel's Tales is the fortnightly (allowing for ratboys) column written by three times Olympic rowing coach Terry O'Neill. Normally, he deals with any questions you might have with indoor rowing and, if you've got one of those, send it to tels-tales@concept2.co.uk. This time, we thought we'd let him loose with his thoughts on the championship… "We had spent many hours debating the pros and cons of moving the championships from Reading to the NIA in Birmingham, and Sunday proved that it was the right decision. There were many obvious benefits, such as better facilities and seating for spectators, as well as the fact that this is a purpose built venue for staging "Spectaculars" whereas Reading was, and is, a leisure centre. And let there be no doubt that Sunday was Spectacular. Stephen Spielberg could not have directed a more epic encounter than we witnessed in the Men's Open final. "There were others that did not get the same attention but were none the less significant. The last race of the day was brutal and every bit as exciting as that between Pinsent and Cracknell. In fact, in some ways it was better, because up to the line there were three great athletes involved, Chris Rushton, Nik Fleming and Tony Larkman all broke the magic six minute barrier. Straining every sinew and giving every ounce of effort, while giving no quarter, as if their very lives depended on it. In the Woman's Open, there was the sheer courage of Katherine Grainger, who laid down a suicidal pace in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to take the title in front of the current Dutch world champion, and the world record holder, who came all the way from New Zealand. There were numerous personal bests and personal triumphs that would warrant a mention but, as usual when I get going, I still haven't got to my point yet. "Why are these people doing this? The night before there was the world title boxing fight between Lewis and Rahman and it was obvious why they were doing it - $millions. It wasn't only the spectators at BIRC that got a great show for nothing, the stars got nothing either. Nothing, that is, but pride, self-respect and the respect of others. They are every bit as outstanding as the boxers performing in Las Vegas. One day, one of the TV moguls that really create these multi-millionaire sportsmen will realise what a sportsman really is, and the heroes of BIRC may then get a share of the cake. "Until that day, when the skies are filled with aeronautical porkers, we at C2 will do our damnedest to provide the best facilities at the best venue for the best bunch of people it has been my privilege to know." ========================================================= BluRed IRC ========================================================= In other race news: the 5th BluRed IRC took place at Edgehill College, Bideford, North Devon on November 4th. The fastest time of the day was by Sam Batten, of the University of North London, who won the Men's 20-29 in 6:20.9. The fastest woman, meanwhile, was Anna Bailey of One on One Fitness, Malvern who won the Women's 50-59 Hwt event in 7:06.6, breaking her own World Record in the process. Full results for the BluRed can be found at http://www.concept2.co.uk/v4/local.htm ______________________________________________________FEEDBACK Like what you read? Dislike what you read? Ideas for future newsletters? Spotted a really silly error that would have been picked up by an eight year old pruf-reader? Make sure to tell us at webmaster@concept2.co.uk. Or, of course, you could always say something at our message board: http://www.concept2.co.uk/messageboard.htm. Oh go on. _____________________________________________________BACK ISSUES Want to be like Marty McFly, but don't have a DeLorean or a friendly nutty professor? Well, now you can visit the past just by going to http://www.concept2.co.uk/v4/newsletter_index.php3 and checking out the past issues of the Indoor Rowing News. New issues are posted on the release date of the following newsletter. _______________________________________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO Note, due to the ratboys (see "Important Information"), any changes to subscription in the last three weeks are unlikely to have got through, so you may have to resend it. "And the Raven said": Reply with "unsubscribe" as the header. 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