Hammersmith Head on Sunday 23rd February was the first opportunity for Quintin’s older masters men, aka the supervets, to test out their speed in 2025. Conditions on the day were challenging with high winds and rough water, but since Christmas the crew (from bow: Huw Jones, Graham Bagnall, Charles Harrison, Jonathan Ferris, Geoff Peel, Andy Tompkins, Slavo Radosevic, stroke Ian Hyslop, cox Hilary Cook) had been putting in some hard race-pace sessions on the water, and on race day this paid off with a win in the combined Masters F/G/H category by just under 4 seconds on handicap from Tyrian (Mas.F) in second place, with Tideway Scullers (also Mas.F) in third a couple of seconds behind Tyrian.
QBC’s plan was to go off hard and maintain a good rating throughout. This was largely achieved, particularly in the latter stages of the race where the crew was able to find an extra gear and move away from neighbours Putney Town (Mas.F), who put up a spirited effort whilst being chased down before Quintin finally got past them at Chiswick Eyot.
Training now continues in fours, quads and the full eight with the VHORR as the next target.