Gavirate 2022

Gavirate International Regatta was a big one this year, it was the first international performance of the Mix4+ this cycle and even better, it was the international rowing debut for a number of teammates, including two rowers in the 4+ and another coxswain, trialling against me.

It is actually two regattas split over a long weekend, so it was a great opportunity for Alex and I to cox a regatta each and have a direct comparison for our upcoming selection. I coxed at the first regatta and it was a real privilege to share Ed and Frankie’s GB debuts with them.

We had a good race in the heat, our main competition came in the form of our friends the Aussies - they are the team we get along with best off the water and in the bar with after racing! We didn’t race the full track, instead put together the first 1500m of the race and saving the final 500m for the final.

In the final, frustratingly, there was a small headwind which meant a World Best Time was off the cards - even though the course isn’t actually FISA official, so a record here wouldn’t technically count. We had a great race, I felt I coxed it well and importantly, we all really enjoyed it.

Despite the wind, the weather was still lovely and warm and it was brilliant to take the win and put together a really solid race following a tough training camp. I can’t wait to see what the team can do this season!