Time trials. Most likely the hardest discipline to succeed at in team rowing. I had a great discussion with Tom Sullivan from University College Dublin while sitting on the bench across from Temple Island about how our crews might perform in tomorrow evening's time trial. Our discussion ranged from six-boat racing, to head racing, to Henley style match racing and then finally to time trials.His contention was that six-boat racing allowed one to hide; that the result softened by the number of medals given, by petite and third level finals. In Henley style match racing there was absolutely no place to hide in that sooner or later you would find out if you were the fastest crew in your category and that a first round loss conveyed the same rewards for a late round loss. A stark mindset but nevertheless it does hold a grain of truth.
However, a time trial or qualifying race is really about a crew's ability to perform over the entire course and it will certainly expose any weakness in physical or mental preparation. Just taking that little edge off in the middle of the course or "looking for comfort" can be the difference. I wonder if anybody has done any physiological testing of rowers performing in either a time trial, head-to-head race, or six lane race to see if markers of physical effort or perceived exertion levels are different.
A good shout out to Jonny at the Healthy Deli on Duke Street in the middle of Henley - the Serrano Ham and Emmental cheese sandwich was fantastic and I hope more rowers stop in to enjoy his creations. I've tried the smoked salmon, parma ham, and have heard great things about the roast beef. A+ in this traveler's book.
We go off tomorrow at 5:00 PM in the Remenham Cup qualifying races - should be an excellent test.
Oh yes, if you get the chance to vote in Row2K's crew of the week poll we have been nominated for the 2nd time this season (the first for our performance at the NCAAs and this time for winning the Senior 8+ at the Henley Women's Regatta). Here are the current poll results.
