Horrible news over the weekend, the death of Acer Nethercott at 35 from cancer. He is known for his Olympic silver in 2008 and his boat race triumphs in 2003 and 2005, the first being the famous 1ft win and the second being one of the best boat race crews of all time. He will however be remembered by myself for his generosity in coxing a group of novice 'Giants' at the 2008 Head of the River Race, just months before racing in Beijing and his spur of the moment coxing session with the Molesey Junior girls in the Spring of 2011.
I only wish I had got to know him more, it was evident that both acts were not any kind of show or something he felt pressured to do for any reason other than his love of what he did so well. When he coxed the 'Giants' in '08 he committed to several training sessions and contributed hugely to the progress of a very attentive group. On race day, he took great care in walking the crew up the river, pointing out various important landmarks and commenting on critical aspects of the river. Most memorably the crew started in the 400's, the tide had gone almost completely out, the Thames was a feeble trickle but Acer carved up crew after crew- 9 I think, as the lads gained more and more confidence during their first ever Head of the River Race. Post race all 9 were delighted with their performance.
Similarly in the Spring of 2011, having finished the first session with the club's seniors Acer was asked if he'd cox the girl's VIII for the second session. Without hesitation he jumped into their Janousek. I remember that their previous session had lacked energy and progress had been negligible. With Acer in the boat the focus radiated from all eight and he made the most of it, getting change after change out of the crew. Post session the girls (and coach) absolutely beamed, not just a treat but a real contribution to their rowing from a brilliant cox and a brilliant man.
Gone but never forgotten, rest in peace Acer.
I only wish I had got to know him more, it was evident that both acts were not any kind of show or something he felt pressured to do for any reason other than his love of what he did so well. When he coxed the 'Giants' in '08 he committed to several training sessions and contributed hugely to the progress of a very attentive group. On race day, he took great care in walking the crew up the river, pointing out various important landmarks and commenting on critical aspects of the river. Most memorably the crew started in the 400's, the tide had gone almost completely out, the Thames was a feeble trickle but Acer carved up crew after crew- 9 I think, as the lads gained more and more confidence during their first ever Head of the River Race. Post race all 9 were delighted with their performance.
Similarly in the Spring of 2011, having finished the first session with the club's seniors Acer was asked if he'd cox the girl's VIII for the second session. Without hesitation he jumped into their Janousek. I remember that their previous session had lacked energy and progress had been negligible. With Acer in the boat the focus radiated from all eight and he made the most of it, getting change after change out of the crew. Post session the girls (and coach) absolutely beamed, not just a treat but a real contribution to their rowing from a brilliant cox and a brilliant man.
Gone but never forgotten, rest in peace Acer.
No comments:
Post a Comment