So yesterday was first title defence at a regatta, having won our first pot at Gloucester last year.
We found out that local rivals City of Bristol had sent 3 4s to the event - with only 5 boats in the draw in total - and we haven't raced City much. The word on the grapevine was that they expected their best crew (who we faced in the first round) to beat us.
That is not how it played out - it was our easiest race of the day. However we then got off the water to find their next crew was already coming to boat check, giving us no break between races. As it was cold and raining and windy we were very cold by the time we lined up on the start - further delayed by canal traffic - we were shivering. That was a closer race but we were through to the final against Gloucester who had beaten the third City crew.
On we went to a length win against Gloucester. The tannoy announced that they'd found my Oakleys and would not be returning them if we won. "Just kidding I love you guys - shoutout to Billy Sardar [our captain]". On we went to a length win in the worst conditions of the day. Going to Peterborough and racing there probably helped with that, though this was wetter, colder and windier but on a smaller body of water.
The guy helping me out of the boat afterwards turned out to be the dad of one of the opposition crew. Apparently his son has only been rowing for 11 months and they gave us a good race.