Abingdonian 2018

55 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term The Boat Club returned from camp and spent the time we had before National Schools’ consolidating the progress that had been made. Minor regattas and events before National Schools’ were used to practise our race profile and decipher who the main competition would be when we arrived at Dorney Lake on 26 May. Finally, the day came. Training for this regatta had started in September and yet we all felt that we needed more time and wished the race was on any other day. However, in the cold and the damp, our crews paddled up to start their time trial. My head seemed clouded and there was an overwhelming sense of fear that I wouldn’t do my best or that I might make a crucial mistake. The time trial went well for all our crews, but our hardest test was still to come. Each crew knew that their rivals were completely committed to beating us in the races. In any race every crew on the start line has the mentality that they could win the race. As rowers we are always well aware of this, knowing that if we want to perform at our best level we must have complete ownership of the race. When my crew was at the start line we were all incredibly nervous, but we shared these nerves. We all had the responsibility to commit for our teammates. Through the pain and the blistering calls from our fantastic cox, Edward Peacock, the feeling in the crew was one of complete trust. Crossing the line in second place was a feeling that will be ingrained in my memory forever. While sitting by the boat after our National Schools’ Final, receiving my silver medal, I realized that to succeed two fundamental elements must be in place: firstly, success requires training and constant commitment, and secondly trust within the members of a team. Samuel King, 4MEE

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNTM1