Not for the first time the First Race was more a whimper than a bang, or even a splash. A handful of helms took stock of the conditions, which were gusty and threatening with rain (the Met office said it was F4-5, gusting F5-6 from WSW at Kew), and all but James decided not to launch. Lev was keen to get on the water and so crewed with James for a couple of laps from the ramp up to the Bell and Crown and back, but on the third pass the threatened rain swept in and they retreated to the arch. But the honour of the Club was saved.
Next week there is no race. Only a D-course is possible, and a rowing event means that the river downstream of Chiswick Bridge will be closed by the PLA. But there will be a working party to do general tidying.