Torpids

Torpids Report by Cesare Omissi, Men’s Captain 2009-2010

Taken from the Pelican Record, Trinity 2010

“The vast majority of both Men’s novice VIII’s were keen to continue rowing in Hilary term. Four members of the Christ Church Regatta “A” boat were co-opted into the 1st Torpid (Jerome Condry, Ryan Wood, Alastair Marsh and Jeremy Dodd) to bolster the four senior crew members remaining (Cesare Omissi, Jeffrey Rawson, Carl Morris and Stuart Thomson), with the novice “B”’s forming a solid and talented 2nd Torpid. Unfortunately the term’s training was marred by poor weather; the Isis was unusable until 5th week, and Torpids coxing was limited to Senior/Experienced coxes.  This meant that the 2nd Torpid were unable to compete in the regatta due to a lack of a cox and proper technical training (despite this disappointment, they later performed admirably in Summer VIIIs in Trinity). The 1st Torpid were barred from racing on Wednesday (languishing one crew off qualifying for the senior divisions) after the debacle of last year’s Torpids (Ed: In 2009, Corpus became trapped at the side of the course after avoiding a nasty collision ahead. They were overtaken by crews still racing and OURCs ruled these crews had gained bumps over our M1). However, during the remaining three days the crew performed above and beyond what could be expected from their experience, bumping St John’s II, Jesus II and Magdalen II, and narrowly missing the blades-winning Trinity II, who always stayed a few inches ahead of us. Thanks are due to Thomas Chapman, whose years of commitment caused our most successful Torpids in a decade.”

Corpus M1 Torpids Crew

Stroke- Cesare Omissi
7-Jeffrey Rawson
6-Jeremy Dodd
5-Jerome Condry
4-Ryan Wood
3-Alastair Marsh
2-Stuart Tompson
Bow-Carl Morris
Cox: Stephanie Clark
Coach: Thomas Chapman

Torpids Report by Juliet Zani, Women’s Captain 2009-2010

Taken from the Pelican Record, Trinity 2010

“We began by moving up girls from the novice boat into the senior squad, preparing for Torpids in 7th week. Juliet Zani rejoined from OUWLRC, due to exam commitments. Spring never quite turned up, resulting in many long erg sessions and gruelling circuits indoors. In between the snow, hail and rain, outings were coached by Gordon Stevenson (LMH), returning to us from Trinity 2009, and coxed by Ellen Fryer. Just before the Henley Boat Races, Emma-Lucy Pinchbeck resigned from the OUWBC boat due to serious illness and a spell in the JR Hospital, rejoining Corpus W1 after a brief recovery period. With the river high, it was only decided on the eve of Torpids that our division would race. On the first day we got bumped by Jesus W1 (who went on to win blades). The second day, we were bumped again by LMH, but kept our heads and bumped St. Anthony’s for a row-over. On the third and fourth days we bumped Brasenose and LMH.  We rowed very well,  finishing +1 on last year, and looked great thanks to a well timed new kit order. Thanks are due to cox Ellen Fryer, who trained with us but could not race due to river conditions. Rob Crowter-Jones (Worcester College) and Fran Umicini Clark (University College) were wonderful, stepping in to cox us for Torpids racing. Congratulations must also be given to W1′s Emma-Lucy Pinchbeck who was elected Boat Club President at the end of term dinner.”

Corpus W1 Torpids Crew

Stroke-Sarah Bennett

7-Juliet Zani

6-Emma-Lucy Pinchbeck

5-Colette Weston
4-Rosie Renouf
3-Katie Smith
2-Alice Penfold
Bow-Allison Phua
Cox: Ellen Fryer
Coach: Gordon Stevenson
Spare Pair: Alison Wilson, Katie Hadfield