Heidelberg RK make successful challenge at Cambridge Winter Head

Crews converge on the Cam for Cantabrigian Rowing Club event

Heidelberg RK made a winning raid on the Cambridge Winter Head.

The event, organised by Cantabrigian Rowing Club, is one of the largest rowing head races in the East and this year attracted 223 crews from across the country, and beyond.

It is the second year that Heidelberg have entered the race, with Leo Waack, Paul Costea, Steffen von Eicke, Mark Biro, Kevin Baehr, Christian Warnecke, Philip Wessels and Christopher Herpel forming the crew from the German town.

And they emerged triumphant, completing the course in 8min 6sec to finish ahead of Downing College men’s first crew. Third place went to Lea Rowing Club, who clocked 8.07.

There were multiple categories, and the winners in the women’s novice eight were Champion of the Thames development squad and the same club also took victory in the masters eight.

Downing were also winners of the men’s student C1 eight class, with Pembroke College in second in 8.16 and First And Third Trinity in third in 8.22.

Jesus College were the women’s fastest student crew in 9.37, with Emmanuel in second (9.41) and Downing in third (9.48).

There was a strong performance by City of Cambridge’s Masters E crew, with the average age between 55 and 59.

Julie Hogg coxed the men’s eight and steered some tight lines round Grassy and Ditton Corners to save some valuable seconds.

In the straights, the added training paid off against some crews more than 20 years younger than them to finish in 8min 51sec, more than 16 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.

City club president and stroke of the crew Tony Nelder said: “It was our first race since the Town Bumps and a nice solid start to the winter season.”