Walter L. Mess Regatta

5 April 2008

 

On a very windy, long Saturday, your Woodson team continued its amazing performance.  At the Polar Bear last week, Woodson achieved three Firsts and two Thirds of five entries.  This week, at the Walter L. Mess, Woodson achieved five Firsts and a Second of ten entries. 

 

The wind conditions were such that normal locked starts had to be abandoned in favor of floating starts and “zip code” lane assignments (if you’re in one, use it).  It was the first time in recent memory that the novice races had to be shifted to a more sheltered part of the river and run concurrently with the championship events on the regular race course.  This of course necessitated the need more help for the officials and several of our outstanding parents stepped in and drove launches in support.  We cannot say enough about the superb support our Boosters and parents provide.  Thank you.

 

The day started on a great note with the Men’s First Four taking Second place, and the Men’s Second having to row up for lack of competition but taking First place for their event.  After a long break while the officials determined what actions to take as a result of the windy conditions, racing continued and our amazing afternoon began with our Women’s Second Eight pulling away with open water for First place.  (We thank you for that new Resolute boat, may we have another?)  This was soon followed by an amazing string of events.  The Men’s Light Eight recovered from last week’s equipment problems and rowed to a boat length First place in their event reclaiming ascendancy over McLean who had won last week and fully expected to triumph again.  Concurrently, on the other part of the river the Men’s and Women’s Freshmen Eights, in their first races, were busy winning First place in their events. 

 

Next week will be considerably different for us as we will be missing 26 rowers as a result of the band and chorus trip.  We will not be racing the Men’s First and Light Eights and the Women’s First and Second Eights and other boat lineups will be affected.  Boats and boat lineups for that race will determined this coming week during practice.

 

Lastly, we enjoyed an outstanding parent-coach social at the home of our Booster Board President and the coaches thank the Board for their hospitality.