Head of the Hosmer

So as I mentioned in my previous post, this year’s U23 trials will have a time trial as part of the selection process. The time trial will be run prior to the finals, and the top four crews from the time trial will be seeded for the final. The time trial is only 1900 hundred meters in length, with a rolling start, and the officials start timing you when you cross the 100 meter mark.

This brings us to one of the unique features of Craftsbury Sculling Center. Each week the camp program runs a head race for that week's group of campers, called the Head of the Hosmer. The race is about 2700-2800 meters in length, and features a rolling start. The fastest boats are started first, followed by slower boats at 15 second intervals. This normally allows for the least amount of interference between rowers. As SBTC athletes we get the chance to compete in this and use it as preparation for our time trial at U23 trials. This will be the first week when we are going out in the boats we intend to trial in and really get after it. We have been doing speed work over the past week, working on effective technique at higher rating. This will be our first full length race rate piece, although we have completed various 1500m pieces and several 4 and 3 minute pieces at race rate.

Although we are all hoping for a tailwind, the wind during this morning’s practice was a headwind on the Hosmer course. Hopefully it will switch in time for this afternoon’s piece!
(Ed - How'd it go? Find the results here.)