Torpids Roundup 2023
Torpids 2023 was another 4 days of great racing for SEHBC. After gaining crucial racing experience at Wallingford Head in Michealmas, and a brilliant training camp in Sabaudia over the vacation, the club hit the ground running in Hilary Term. This carried over into 5 weeks of intensive training, both in Abingdon and on the Isis, to prepare for Raceday!
Here is a overview of SEHBC’s movement this Torpids:
M1 -5
W1 +2
M2 +3
W2 +5 - Blades
M3 -8
M1 - A tough week for the M1, starting in front of two blades-winning crews and being chased exclusively by strong crews who went at least +3 across the week. Despite this, three nail-biting chases of Wadham M1 across the week provided a lot of entertainment for the boathouse island crowds. The crew came back stronger every day, and the dedication and heart shown every day is evidence that they aren’t destined to stay in Div 2 for long.
W1 - W1 started the week towards the top of division 2, and achieved 3 bumps, ending the campaign by going +2 in the charts overall, and finishing 15th on the river. Although they were bumped by Lincoln on the first day, they didn't let this curb their spirit, and powered through to get the bump on St Anne's in front of boathouse island and a cheering audience. Day 2 was their toughest race; they held off an incensed Anne's, who were determined to get us back, all the way down to the Head despite a last minute crew change, ending the day with a hard-fought row-over. Luckily the next two races were very short, the bumps on Brasenose and Hertford having occurred before the gut! As of Saturday, the W1 crew have now had 12 consecutive Torpids days without falling!
M2 - In a stunning performance, M2 went +3 across the week - this could have been more had they not been stuck behind Univ M2 in the initial start order, arguably the fastest second boat this Torpids. Through their far superior power and good technical base, a tight chase of St Anne’s M1 on Day 1 was followed by two quick bumps on Keble and St Catz M2s on the final two days.
W2 - W2 have put in an amazing shift this week; despite all the chaos and klaxons seen in the early divisions, W2 have gone +5 overall (with no concessions!), not only achieving blades but also securing a place in fixed divisions for the first time since 2009. They bumped Mansfield II, St Johns II, Regents, Magdalen II and Wadham II, all their bumps occurring before the gut! Over the 4 days, this crew raced 6 times (twice as a sandwich boat), but their energy and determination showed no bounds and they got their last bump on Wadham just before Donnington Bridge.
M3 - After narrowly qualifying through Rowing On, M3 defied all expectations to maintain their position at the top of Div 6 throughout the first three days, before an equipment failure led to an unfortunate final day crash and a fall in position. The crew, mainly made up of novices from this year, held their own against much bigger and more experienced crews, and consistently proved themselves faster than the clubs around them through their technical prowess and sheer willpower.
W3 - Although W3 narrowly missed out on a spot in Torpids after a tight Rowing-On race, they have lots to celebrate this term. Not only have they improved massively in a short space of time (some of the crew only started learning how to row this term!), but they have really come together as a crew to form a supportive and friendly community. Furthermore, some of our W3 still got a chance to race by offering to sub into the W2 crew; this is a great example of Hall spirit and club cohesion, and we're sure they'll come back strong and ready for Summer VIIIs!