The year started with the squad of 24 being picked from about 40 competent oarsmen. In all our training, the main aim was to go through the line first on the Sunday of Henley Regatta week. The winter months saw us on the water at the crack of dawn, with a relentless training schedule being put into practice, regular 10 mile runs and ergo tests to build up endurance. Race days such as the IV's head were light by comparison.
By February we had all lost a lot of fatty excess weight even though most of us were eating about 4000 calories per day. The squad was reduced to 16, with 12 possibilities for the 1st VIII. Side by side racing experience was gained, pitting us against the Oxford blue boat and Goldie amongst others. Our Head of the River Race result of 20th gave us the indication that our Henley dream was possible.
The regatta season saw all our hard work and 2000 miles of rowing put to dividends, enjoying wins around England and a Bronze medal at the Belgium Nat. Champs, only Y2 length behind Spain. Even so the training intensity still increased.
The time for Henley was here, our boat speed was good, we were the fastest we'd been all year and could go over the course at 39-40 if need's be. Final race training was out at Switzerland in Lucerne regatta where we raced against the best crews in the world, those races were hopefully going to be the last we were to lose in the season
The draw for Henley saw us as favourites for the Temple Challenge Cup, our dream never looked better. A good draw put the final touches to it. An easy win on the first day rating about 26 after 30 seconds put to rest our fears and nerves in all the 'hype' of the event. However disaster struck on the second day...Stroke's slide bed broke on the first stroke of the race, mayhem ensued. Confusion, bewilderment and anger raced through our minds as we crossed the line 4 lengths behind, having rowed the course with only 7 men. Pandemonium followed the race, talk of re-rows, disqualification, and of conceding defeat were all mentioned. This was all in vain, we were out and that was our last row at Henley in 1992.
The irony of not actually racing at full speed can never be put away. To win at Henley takes more than just being the fastest crew, an amount of luck is involved.