One Shot, One Chance: Mark Davies in the Coxswain's Seat Again
Mark Davies resumes his role as coxswain for a single, specific occasion.
Get the Rower's Gossip: British Rowing UpdateFancy a mix of British and international rowing celebrities? Mark Davies, British Rowing's interim CEO, teamed up with Presidents from European Rowing Federations, racing their way through Prague, Czech Republic.
Remember Račice, Czechia? Back in 2022, it was the hotspot for rowing success, with Great Britain taking seven golds and 12 medals overall. Now, while these memories are vivid, there's another boat race that's worth mentioning: the Mayor's Rowing Races on the River Vltava since 1910. University and club crews from all over the country make the trip to participate, and the city comes alive with a lively atmosphere reminiscent of Henley and the Boat Races.
To boost the profile of this event and draw global attention, the Czech Rowing Federation and two-time Olympic silver medallist Ondřej Synek assembled a world-class crew. Coxed by none other than Mark Davies, who ventured back into the coxswain's seat for the first time since the 1990s, the crew boasted a wealth of experience and eager anticipation for the upcoming race.
Mark explained, "We had eight diverse rowing styles that brought a unique challenge. We had a brief practice session the day before, realizing we either needed more outings or no further practices. And so we raced the next day!"
Organizing an ad hoc crew and executing a race plan can be challenging even under ideal circumstances, but the language barrier further complicated matters. With the rowers hailing from different nations, English wasn't always the primary language, but Jean-Christophe Rolland, World Rowing President and Olympic gold medallist in the men's pair at the Sydney Olympics, set the pace and rhythm for the crew to follow.
"He's on his ergo every single morning at 04:30, doing 20km, religious about it," Mark chuckled. "We stuck to his lead in the stroke seat!"
The race strategy was simple yet effective: a plan for the first 15 strokes, but by that point, the competition was already a length and a half ahead.
The showdown, however, was more than just a competition; it provided an exceptional platform for camaraderie among the rowers.
"We don't typically get close relationships with these individuals at other events. This shared experience of training and racing in a new environment fostered a sense of camaraderie that's often hard to achieve," Mark said.
The trip was indeed more than just a competition; it was a chance to connect outside of the usual World Championships or European Championships, building bridges that wouldn't have formed otherwise.
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- Mark Davies, the interim CEO of British Rowing, not only participated in a mixed international rowing event in Prague but also took up the coxswain's seat again in a world-class boat race, showcasing his versatility in the sport.
- Amidst the excitement of the upcoming sports events like football, don't forget to tune in for the action-packed Mayor's Rowing Races on the River Vltava, where Mark Davies and his diverse crew, despite the language barrier, are expected to build strong relationships and display impressive rowing skills.
