As we mentioned in our conditions update this morning (Friday), the wind forecast for race day is South Easterly (wind against stream from Hammersmith), with possible significant gusts. A course inspection will assess the actual conditions at 11.30am on Saturday. One of the contingencies that MAY be implemented is to finish the race just before Hammersmith Bridge; at the moment this is not very likely but possible.
The contingency plan below sets out what will change IF the course is shortened to finish at Hammersmith Bridge. Crews and particularly steers/coxes should familiarise themselves with it NOW so that they know what to do should the decision be taken to shorten the course, which would be communicated to crews by marshals at the start.
Contingency Plan for finishing at Hammersmith Bridge
The finish line will be just up-stream from Hammersmith Bridge, parallel with the bridge, from the landing stage outside British Rowing on the Middlesex bank.
The map below shows the position of the finish line and what crews should do after they have crossed the line, specifically:
- All crews should continue through Hammersmith Bridge.
- ONLY crews who will return to AK/Furnivall (i.e. not Sons of the Thames/Latymer) or to Fulham Reach (a little further downstream) should turn to Middlesex/strokeside
- Crews returning to upriver clubs including Sons of the Thames and Latymer turn to Surrey/bowside.
- Crews for Barn Elms and Putney continue straight on but row slowly and remain “line astern” (i.e. don’t overtake), and row dead slow from the Black Buoy. They will turn as usual after going through both Putney road and Fulham rail bridges as per the Instructions to Crews.
- If conditions are so severe that turning beyond the bridges is unsafe, crews returning to Barn Elms will be turned by officials close to the Barn Elms hard, and crews returning to Putney will be directed down the inshore zone to land with the stream. Please listen carefully for instructions.
The Fours Head 