UPDATE
Due to the strong winds that are predicted, the race has been changed to a head race, new instructions are here.
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Overview
Emma Sprints is intended to be a fun introduction to racing, which we try to run as smoothly as possible. Sometimes it may not be possible to run the event with the precision of other regattas due to the relative experience of the participants. The marshals will try to be as fair as is possible, but to avoid chaos may need to make a marginal decision which could go either way. This is unavoidable, so please try not to get worked up about minor things and be fair to other competitors.
Sprints is a race where getting involved in the spirit of the competition is far more important than the end result, and will certainly be more memorable in years to come. Costumes are expected, bribes are encouraged, and we all hope to make it to the end in one piece!
Emma Sprints will take place on the 24th of November 2024!
Race entry is £75* per VIII and includes at least two races and free mince pies for every racing crew. There is a limit of 80 boats that can race and spaces will be primarily allocated on a first come first serve basis, though if spaces are tight a limit may also be applied on the number of entries from each College (at the discretion of the race organisers).
All boats should nominally apply to race in one of the five divisions (NM1, NM2, NW1, NW2, NM/NW3), though these may be changed in the draw to balance numbers. Entries from mixed gender crews are permitted, and will be allocated to a division depending on numbers.
*£70 for entries placed before the 2nd of November, £75 after
**For the purposes of Emma Sprints, a Novice VIII is defined as one in which no person has rowed or coxed as appropriate before the 1st of September of the current year. Any decisions about eligibility will be left to the Vice Captain’s discretion.
Entries from Senior Crews
Although the race is primarily intended for novice VIIIs, entries from other boats will be considered on an individual basis, though an amusing handicap may be imposed. Contact the organisers if you are interested in entering a senior boat (of any type) and we can discuss the details of the entry.
Entry Form
The entry form can be found here
Scratching Crews/Over Subscription Refunds
Crews scratching before the entry deadline will receive a full refund as soon as possible, crews scratching after the entry deadline but more than 60hrs before the start of the first division will receive a 50% refund, there will be no refunds for crews scratching less that 60hrs before the event.
Sprints is generally over-subscribed, as such we will prioritise first crews getting a place in the draw. Remaining crews will be given places in order of entry, as recorded by the form submission times (the Vice-Captain reserves the right to prioritise 2nd and 3rd boats over remaining crews). In the event of crews scratching after the draw is published, places will be offered to those who missed out in the same order, the first 5 reserve crews will be informed as such when the draw is released and are advised to remain available for racing. Any crew which does not get to race will be given a full refund after the event.
The Draw and Results
The draw for 2024 will be displayed on the website by midnight of Saturday the 16th at the latest. It contains information such as the race schedule, and marshalling times and locations. The draw is subject to change at any point up to 24hrs before the race, so keep checking to ensure you have the latest information. The divisions will race at the following times, with marshalling times in brackets.
[Please check back later]
Please be at your marshalling point just upstream of the railway bridge at the published marshalling time of your division, we will be turning crews away if they are not in their marshalling station at the correct time, this is because we are going to be finishing very close to lighting up so we cannot afford to run late.
Race Status
Due to previous events having difficulty with weather conditions a race status will now be allocated. This will be one of the following:
- Green: Boat as normal. Race going ahead as planned
- Yellow: Boat as normal. Race going ahead under simplified rules (see below). Be prepared for imminent cancellation.
- Red: DO NOT BOAT. Race is cancelled for safety in poor conditions. Crews who have not yet raced will have their entry fee refunded.
This status will be posted on the website. It is the competing crew’s responsibility to check the status before they boat.
Costumes and Kit
All crews are encouraged to compete in a themed costume, although this is not compulsory. A prize will be awarded to the crew with the best costume. Be imaginative, but make sure you bring enough kit as it can sometimes get very cold between races.
Marshalling
Marshalling stations for each race are specified on the draw next to the crew, but stay alert to changes and follow any instruction from marshals on the bank.
Initial marshalling will take place at the time specified on the website between the P&E and the railway bridge, please pull in by your number with odd numbered crews stern on the number and even numbered crews bow on the number (Marshalling Zone 1, stations 1-15). All crews must have a bank party to assist with marshalling. Crews late to marshal may be turned away.
Following the first race crews will spin and marshal between the spinning posts and the plough (Marshalling Zone 2, stations 2-16) under instruction from bank marshals. Winning crews are to go ahead and spin halfway up the Plough Reach, and must NOT interact with moored boats, and pull in starting from the Plough. Losing crews are to pull in starting from the downstream spinning zone post (do not spin before pulling in), then spin after pushing off. All crews will race back, those who have won both races will spin and marshal at zone 1 to repeat the process, those who have lost will return back to their boathouse.
Race Rules
Green Flag
- Racing crews will be given a side (towpath or meadow) and lined up on the starting line (either the railway bridge or the 500m post on the Reach depending on direction).
- Crews will be started (from a standing start) as soon as possible and will race to the respective finishing line.
- Crews are required to remain on their half of the river.
- The first to cross the line wins.
- Any crews acting in a way which is deemed unsafe will be disqualified and may be asked to stop.
Yellow Flag
- Competing crews will be started at a time interval to complete a rolling start to be at race speed by the relevant start point.
- The time between the two racing crews will be taken at the start and finishing line. If the gap has increased the lead crew will be declared the winner, if the gap has shortened the chasing crew will be declared the winner.
- Crews are not required to remain on any side, but must give way to overtaking crews.
- Overtaking crews should choose a side with more space to pass on and this pass should not be impeded.
- Any crews acting in a way which is deemed unsafe will be disqualified and may be asked to stop.
Results
- Provisional results will be published on the event website as they happen.
- In the event of a marginal result the crew with the best costume, or that has given the biggest bribe, will be likely to be declared the winner.
Race Numbers
One member of each club must pick up race numbers and mince pies from Emmanuel Boat House. Please come either between 12:30 and 14:00 on Saturday or between 7:00 and 8:30am on the day of the race.
Lights
Crews in the NM1 division must have lights on their boats for the row back home, crews without lights will not be allowed to race in the semi-finals.
Prizes
- All entrants: All crews will receive mince pies (to be collected with the race numbers)
- Division winners: Division winning crews (+coxes) will be awarded free tickets to Emma Cocktails, the event held in the evening of the race at Emmanuel (details on website). If crews have already purchased tickets to the cocktails event we will offer these tickets as extra!
- Best Costume: The crew winning this prize will each be awarded a pineapple, to be delivered to the winning boathouse at some point in the week following the event.
Rowing Through
The river will nominally be closed for the event, but if any senior boats would like to row though between divisions to go over the lock please use the form here. We will try to accommodate all requests, but may impose first come first served limits if demand is high.
Emma Cocktails
Event Photos
Photos will be taken of each crew during the regatta and added to our Facebook page in the following week.
For any questions or queries, please email Max Bowler on EBCVice@gmail.com.