Race Review - Ironbridge Regatta 2010
Trafford Rowing Club had another long trip last weekend – this time to the Ironbridge regatta held in the picturesque Ironbridge Gorge. The regatta is a two-day event with 1000 metre races on the Saturday and 500 metre races on the Sunday. The main focus for Trafford was the longer distances on the first day.
There was an early victory for Simon Weeks and Andy Sykes in the double sculls in their first event at Intermediate 3 level. This was achieved against stiff competition from City of Cardiff , Kings School Worcester, Hollingworth Lake and Lincoln .
Jenny Chapman was victorious in the Women’s Novice Sculls over Pengwern, Minerva and Abingdon Boat Clubs.
There was a strong showing by the club’s Intermediate 3 Coxed Fours in this competitive event. There were early victories over Minerva Bath and City of Oxford before succumbing in a close race to the eventual winners of this event – Hollingworth Lake . In their first competitive race at Intermediate 3, the other four on the day acquitted themselves well in their heat.
The club also entered a novice four (Kernius, Alex, Nick and Henry) for the afternoon division which came up against a very experienced crew from City of Oxford, who were out for revenge having been beaten by our Intermediate 3 crew in the morning. Despite a robust performance with some excellent bladework, experience alas overcame enthusiasm. However, this crew certainly looks promising for the future.
Freya Sykes and Elizabeth Bates performed well in the Womens Junior 15 double sculls. They however had the misfortune of being in the lead and were rowed into by their opposition, which was not seen by the umpires and in spite of an appeal, did not get through to the final.
On Sunday, after much disciplined activity in the public houses of Ironbridge – apparently the publicans reported record takings – the four acquitted themselves in the first heat of the short course holding Hollingworth Lake (the winners of the Intermediate 3 Coxed Four event on the Saturday) to a metre.
Thanks to everybody who made this a memorable weekend. Looking round the club there are some cracking suntans as a result!
Attention now turns to the Runcorn Junior Regatta on Saturday July 3rd. The Club has a very strong contingent so all support gratefully received.
Commenting on the weekend, Andrew Lowe, the newly elected captain of the club said "It was another good weekend for the club with victories in the small boat events. The club’s performance in the large boats events is better and we are looking for good performances as we approach the main part of our season. The junior crews have been training very hard for the forthcoming Runcorn regatta and I am confident that we shall see the reward for this."
