Middle Island Masters 2022

WORDS: MICHAEL JOHNSON | IMAGES: JUSTIN MURRAY, CALLY WILLIAMS, LAM CHAN

This is the competition that rowing masters look forward to all year – the chance for our members to compete on a more level playing field. It’s a time trial format, with times adjusted for age, gender and boat class based on a mysterious algorithm that nobody understands. To add excitement this year, the organisers decided to include a 180-degree turn (always fun in boats designed to go in a straight line) and a longer 750m format. The singles were off first, with just a few seconds separating the top group. The fastest time went to Vinny Mcllduff, but as a relative youngster, the algorithm decided MJ (Michael Johnson) was really the top sculler on the day (not that he needed much help from the algorithm). Special mention also to Cally Williams as the only lady to take the singles challenge.

The doubles were next, and whilst most turned like a super tanker, Guy Parsonage and Aleksey Mironenko showed their experience at handbrake turns and were the fastest in both actual and adjusted times. Good job guys!

and ahead until a crab sent them hurtling towards Oxford’s bow. Cox Jenny Lim calmly took evasive action lurching Oxford across the course before straightening up in Cambridge’s wake. The Americans saw their land of opportunity and went for it, the MI beach that is, challenging Cambridge all the way. Whether they actually crossed the finish line was debated, but the official result was Cambridge first, Americans second, Oxford last.

The fun over with and boats packed up (special mention to the incredible Fred Goforth), all headed for a protein feast courtesy of the fantastic MI chefs. There was definitely no award ceremony in line with Covid rules, but gold, silver and bronze medals were available for collection. Guy Parsonage, the meek and mild soul he is, was modest about the five medals jangling around his neck, and shy when called to say a few quiet words to those gathered as his last event as captain. Somehow, he found the strength to organise another boat race, no clashes and everyone a winner!

Those still sober and/or mobile headed for an after party with the Paddlers – endless fun and a day to remember. The quads kept the Coxes busy (steering /shouting… usually both) and included several randomly formed crews (thanks Anna Fisher) with Wan Ng showing once again his commitment to rowing by joining 3 different crews. Many fantastic performances, especially from the mixed quads, with Mark Welles /Mark Hughes /Cally Williams /Michele Lam combo coming out tops after the magical algorithm adjustment.

The boat race between Oxford & Cambridge rounded off the rowing as a side-by-side clash over a straight 400m course. As our American friends felt left out and it was agreed that they could enter a double to fight against the mighty British quads. Cambridge won the toss, and honourably selected the faster boat. Oxford remained confident with Mark Hughes powering the boat from Stroke, but the American double (Thuan Tran and Vivian Leung) were even faster off the start