Mahe's Travels - A quiet trip to Ireland?

by Our London Correspondent on 4 Dec 2006 Galway Head has a special place in the hearts of the University of London BC, so when the hosts were looking to fly over the UL VIII for the regatta, Tyrian, The Allumni Club of the University, gladly took up the challenge. An eleventh hour withdrawal meant an urgent replacement was required and the crew were delighted and amazed to find one in the form of two times world sculling champion, Mahe Drysdale. ( It is suspected that he was completely unaware of what he was signing up for!).

'I've found us a sub' came the phone call, 'It's Mahe. Do we want him?'

'Yes! .... Can he row?' (the reply is unprintable .. knowing the likely recruiter this is not surprising)

Next priority: 'Does he drink Guinness?'

The Organisers were quite naturally excited at the news of the sub. Perhaps a bit too over the top because, in the wild anticipation of his arrival they omitted to organise one crucial thing...... a boat.

After five hours of traipsing around boathouses along the river - it was typical Galway Head weather, wind and rain - an attempt was made to rig an 85kg Janousek from a bybgone era - until some sensibility returned. With 30 mins to the start a boat with a bent fin as commandeered. Also among the boats woes were, the seats did not slide and it managed the unusual feat of being down on bow side in the stern and stroke side in the bow - a bit warped you might say!
The race, however went well - an encounter with a junior crew on the final bend - due to either some coxing bravado or the awe of seeing the London super-sub - resulted in a second placing.

The evening celebrations were apparently 'worthy of Tyrian folklore'. Many of you will be well aware of this euphemism.

Mahe was prevailled upon to present the Prizes and Trophies, and the National University of Ireland - Galway - NUIG - had managed another publicity coup thanks to the endeavours of UL.

And yes,' the New Zealand drinker does scull Guinness'. .. or should that be 'the New Zealand Sculler does drink Guinness?'


Ed: A Gallery is available at:
http://sports.nuigalway.ie/~rowing/gallery/
Mahe does not look too comfortable!