CCBC - News - Durham Supersprints

Super Sunday - CCBC does the Super-Sprint

6th May 2001

Steve Redgrave presided over a heroic Collingwood second place as CCBC found themselves beaten only by the nationally renowned DUBC in the prestigious SuRo Super-Sprint relay.

There was a strong Collingwood presence at the day-long regatta with the college represented at a wide variety of events. Racing started with the club securing two semi final and two quarter final finishes in the closely fought college men's coxed fours and as the small boat events began, club Captain Robin Collings rowed to victory in the open competition of his single scull category.

Present and former Men's Captains Neil Baldwin and Steve Wood had been hotly tipped to finish well in their newly-formed pair but high hopes were thwarted by a sheared sax board off the stake boats. As news of the capsize reached the anxious supporters on the bank, Tyne Tees TV cameras turned onto the rescue efforts which took the dejected pair back to the landing stage.

An appeal from the hallowed commentary box by club Captain Robin Collings led to the generous loan of a second boat from the St John's College BC and put the squad back on track for the days most coveted title; the Super-Sprint relay, which tested the college's best men's single, women's double and men's pair against other squads over the 3 x 350m course.

Following a ceremonial row-past by all competitors and an address by five-time Olympic Gold medal-winner Steve Redgrave the start gun was fired on this innovative competition, the first regional version of it's kind.

Collingwood were unchallenged through the semi final, taking their races with clear water and bringing the club into a tense final against DUBC where despite a proud performance from all three boats, the college lost out to the power and technical prowess of the professionally coached squad.

Such an impressive performance bodes well for the college, which Robin Collings described as "the best on the river", in the eagerly anticipated forthcoming Durham regatta.

Katherine Murray

Main news page | Crews | Results | Photos | ^^Top