Fish Creek races have it easy for unique awards: hang your hat on the fish thing and let your imagination fly (or swim). At the Head of the Fish, held annually the last Saturday on October, they offer mounted fish heads in place of the more mundane medals. At the inaugural Fish Creek 5000, unwitting goldfish peeked out of bowls on the awards tables, waiting for their new keepers. Skidmore Community Rowing, organizers of this regatta, went entirely with the fish theme for take-home bags for rowers…what's next for Fish regattas?
Saratoga Springs, NY provided a pleasant day—these are rare this time of year in upstate New York. The water was flat and the course marked clearly for the entire race, including the large pontoon boat at the turn-around, so participants could follow a straight line on the not-so-straight portions of Fish Creek. With the turn moved to a safer location (the first plan was to have it at the bend in the creek—long a point of frustration for coxswains and bow people during the Head of the Fish), the course was closer to 4850 meters.
There were about 65 scullers in this race, pitched as a tune-up for fall regattas; it truly was a great venue for training. It also was a chance for younger scullers to test their speed with more precise steering and competition thrown in the mix. The under-12 category, largely populated by scullers from local youth programs at Saratoga Rowing Center, provided an interesting glimpse at the future of local rowing, with all levels represented. Liam Casey finished a full 4 minutes ahead of the competition in the boys category in a time of 24:07, Regan Delany came in first in the girls', and also would have been second in the boys category, with a time of 27:42. Congrats to the young scullers.
The largest category was the Men's Masters 1x, and they were a skilled group of rowers, all looking well prepared for fall racing. Paul Flory came out on top with an age handicap, and looked like he was going to hit head racing full steam—we'll be looking for him in masters races this fall. He doubled with Doreen Joslow in the Mixed event and won that category as well. Young Kurt Borchardt was stung twice by his youth (35) and lost places despite his fastest raw times for the single and the double with Rich Kline. In the Women's Masters 1x, Tracy Barlok abandoned her registration post and hopped in a single left by Jim Gandy of her club to race to the start and win the category, chatting with marshals at the turn. She'll tell you it's her massive biceps that wins races; a careful observer would cite attitude and skill. (And the biceps.)
The award for the most exciting turn-around-the-pontoon goes to Women's Doubles entry Mary Reid and Carin Reynold, who came from New Hampshire to win the Open division, taking the turn barrel-racing style and rowing extremely well together.
There were a few near-collisions at the turn. In the Masters Women's Doubles—with former National-team speed skater-turned-rower Lexie Riley-Bonitonebus and golf pro Meg Kelly in one boat, and triathlete Clover Schwartz and Michelle Hunt form Saratoga Rowing Association in another, there was a polite crossing of oars but no contact. (Note: when all these folks get past this novice season, there will be intense competition on Fish Creek.) In the Women's Youth Singles, there was a cluster of four girls that slowed down a bit to avoid hull damage at the turn, but again--no problems and a quick lesson in efficient turning. Erin Roche won that category, with Casey Stein seconds away. In the Women's Youth 2x, sisters Emily and Ariel Frank got that swing going and won the event, Maddie Tucci and Carolyn Williams just behind them.
The Fish Creek 5000 will be held again next year, check row2k calendar for the date. Results of 2006 racing posted now on row2k, and check www.row2k.com/galleries in a few days for a look at the racing.
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