LRC's winning combination: Stewart Harries, Adrian Theed, Ralph Humphrey, Shaun Martin and Theo Robinson
London’s coxed four of Shaun Martin, Ralph Humphrey, Adrian Theed, Stewart Harries and cox Theo Robinson won the Senior Masters Coxed Fours at the 2018 Head of the Charles at the crew’s maiden attempt.
Starting in the second half of a field of 49 and at the front of the new entries, London’s four set off at a pace that saw them catch the crew in front within the first minute and before the BU Bridge. Race rules forbid overtaking until after crews clear BU Bridge and London’s four had to stop rowing before the Bridge to allow the crew to pass ahead and avoid disqualification.
Picking up once clear London settled into a strong pace and overtook four crews in the cross-tail wind around Magazine Beach turn and onto the Power House straight. Approaching Weeks Bridge the crew closed quickly but were unable to pass three more crews ahead and again London had to stop rowing to allow those crews to pass cleanly through the bridge and avoid incurring penalties.
This threw London off their racing line and Theo’s skilful steering minimised further losses as London passed all three in the tricky section from Weeks through Anderson Bridges and out past the Harvard Men’s Boat House onto the Big Turn.
The crew then had a clear run into a stiff headwind for the final mile and into the last sector from Elliot Bridge with one more crew overtaken just before the finish line. London’s time of 18m 09.5s was 1 minute off the record in conditions where very few records were broken.
Three other British crews finished in the top 10, with Molesey second 3.5 seconds adrift, Monmouth seventh and Maidenhead eighth.
Special thanks go to Concept2 who provided the oars for the race and to Hudson Boats who supplied a very impressive and beautifully equipped hull.
Stewart Harries
