The Thames squad loaded into the hire bus and Gary Stubbs turned the key, nothing happened. Should we stay at home and do the 2000m ergo in the comfort of our heated gym or brave the M40 in freezing fog? The jump leads came out, the bus started and we headed in the direction of Birmingham. Within 30 minutes I was ringing the RAC and pleading road side assistance, we had no young children, no illness but we did have a very important race to get to, the RAC were very understanding, they would be with us within the hour. Meanwhile, Annabel “the Mechanic” Vernon had noticed sparks under the driver’s seat, this had the potential to be bad news. Annabel worked on the battery with the most prized possession of any rower, the rigger jigger she risked burns and potentially sacrificing her own performance for the team. Apparently having both batteries attached significantly improved our chances of the vehicle moving.

We made it to Birmingham, 2 hours to spare, so plenty of time to watch some unfortunate souls fall off the ergo in front of us. We mused upon the eternal question: why would anyone think that rowing 2000 metres to the maximum is a good pastime, when even some of the winners were unable to make the medal ceremony as they were still being sick.

The NIA had 120 ergos linked up to a computer system with races every fifteen minutes from 8:30 am till 6pm. A hot house of whirring machinery, over-enthusiastic commentary and lycra clad bodies was a sight that set the heart pumping as well as producing a feeling of dread. At this point some wished Annabel hadn’t seen the sparks and we were still stuck somewhere on the M4 waiting for the RAC.

It was not long until we were all in our normal pre-race routine, finding a quiet place to sit and wait, listening to music and avoiding small talk. Behind a curtain was another area with warm up ergos, stretching mats and massage. The timing of the warm up for the ergo is different from a race on the water as it leaves you no chance for quiet reflection or escape from the mayhem, but it does give the opportunity for some final wise words from coach Paul Thompson. Before it was clear what was happening, the unsuspecting athletes were driven like sheep into the race arena. As we strode confidently towards the Concept 2 gallows, it became apparent that short of faking a very serious illness, 2000 metres awaited before being allowed back on to the M40 in the direction of London. Sarah Winckless won impressively with 6:37.5, Annabel Vernon in 2nd and Laura Gater 3rd. Graham Benton, a non rower, won the men’s open event receiving the most applause of the day. Naomi Hoogesteger won lightweight women and Mark Hunter the lightweight men’s event.

With the main job of the day completed we only had to get home again which was easier than it sounds. We finally arrived back in Putney at 10:15pm just in time for last orders. Twelve hours spent on board the ‘fun bus’ for just one race was perhaps not the most productive day’s work of our lives, but at least we got 7 minutes of pure joy out of it.

Editorial by Elise Laverick