2013 Titles: Elite Eights- Bedford Regatta IM1 Eights- Wallingford Regatta, Championship Eights- National Schools Regatta, Championship Coxed Fours- National Schools Regatta
Coach- Dave Currie
Munich Representatives- Matthew Carter
Abingdon are my favourites to take the PE this year. After a fairly disappointing start to 2013, finishing in 2nd place by 6 seconds behind a strong Hampton crew, they have stormed the regatta season, remaining unbeaten in the eight from May onwards [aside from a second place in Elite Eights at Met Regatta]. Their performance at NSR was particularly impressive, with their dominant display in CH8 matched by their gold medal winning run in the four the day after.
Their style of rowing seems fairly similar to that imposed by Athol Hundermark, a highly efficient, fast drive phase that makes them appear to almost row at 3/4 slide. There appears to be minimal back lean and this is instead replaced by an extremely quick stroke phase sequence with a pronunciation on the leg drive.
I feel that this crew have the strongest chance of seeing off any foreign competition, especially the possibility of a ‘composite’ national Australian eight, going under the name of Scotch. They have won the PE the last two years and have plenty of experience in the ranks, especially those returning from last years boat such as Matthew Carter and Joel Cooper. Their experience combined with their boat moving ability, strength [Carter has an ergo under 6:10] and efficient style of rowing makes them my favorites to retain the PE once again.
The photo is taken from http://www.abingdon.org.uk/national_schools_regatta_may13/
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