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30 July 2002

   
 
 
The Scotland junior men's coxed four added the Home International title on Saturday to the Scottish Championships and National Championships titles they already won this year. Michael Anderson, Robert Vallance, Ross Cruickshank, Colin Wallace and cox, Jamie Steel, all Aberdeen Schools RA. (photo: Stuart Vallance)
Home International Results: I am trying to get the results file from the Strathclyde Park computer and will put the results on the site if I succeed.

(now up page 1 and 2)

Thanks to the many visitors from outside Scotland who have included complimentary e-mails about the venue and organisation of the regatta in their e-mailed pleas for results. Remember, you don't have to wait 4 years for the chance to race here again: National Rowing Championships of Great Britain is at Strathclyde Park in July next year. Or, indeed, you can enter Scotland's own Strathclyde Park Regatta (which is 'open') on the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend.


 
 

28 July

   
 
 

At the World Under 23s in Genoa, it has been hard to get results. It looks as though Alasdair Stuart (Exeter, former Scotland international) came 6th in the 'A' final in LM 1x, with Henry Westwood and Douglas Murray 5th in the 'B' final (ie 11th overall) in LM 2-

Home International photographs: I only have one 'winning' photo from HIR and I'm still keen to get good photographs of successful Scottish crews: if you have one, please do e-mail it to me.

 
 

27 July

   
 
 

Scotland men triumph at Home International Regatta

The winning Scotland men's coxed four (Angus Argyle, Drew Hendry, Tom Morgan, John Langley and cox Dan Saoul), also selected for the Commonwealth Rowing Championships. Photo; Martin Worth

In good racing conditions at Strathclyde Park (Motherwell) today, the Scotland men’s rowing team fulfilled the advance hopes of their selectors.

The lightweight coxless four drawn from Aberdeen University got the match against England, Wales and Ireland off to the best possible start with a confident win over second-placed England.

This was underpinned by emphatic wins by the recent Henley Royal Regatta-winners from Aberdeen Boat Club racing in the coxed four and coxless pairs – both beating English crews into second place. A further notable win by Dave Wallace (St Andrew BC, Edinburgh) in the single scull set the match up for a close finish, the result hanging on the outcome of the final eights and quadruple sculls races. This latter was won by a strong Irish crew, but with Scotland second and England fourth, this was enough to give Scotland victory by two points. Scotland last won the men's match in 1998.

In the women’s match, there was triumph following adversity for the Scotland women’s pairing of Ali Barnes and Joanne Ganley. Barnes lost her place in the GB team on Monday of this week, thus becoming available to row for her native Scotland. Meanwhile Ganley lost her pairs partner Leonie Barron to the GB team on Tuesday, depriving Scotland of the selected pair for this international. For the hurriedly formed pair of Barnes and Ganley, international victory today must have been sweet indeed.

Added to a quality win in the coxed four and solid performances throughout the match, this helped Scotland to an oh-so-close second place finish, one point behind England.

There were good individual performances in junior races, especially by Aberdeen Schools junior men’s and Aberdeen/Heriots junior women’s coxed fours – both of whom won, confirming ASRA's strong contribution to Scottish junior sweep rowing this year.

Scotland team manager Mrs Mary Massaro was well pleased with the results. “The crews who are going on to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in a couple of weeks did particularly well; I believe we can look forward with some confidence to quality Scottish performances there,” she said.

Results in full

Senior Men
Lightweight Coxless Four
: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Ireland; 4 Wales. Coxed Four: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Ireland 4 Wales. Lightweight Single Scull: 1 Wales; 2 Ireland; 3 Scotland; 4 England. Single Scull: 1 Scotland; 2 Ireland; 3 Wales; 4 England. Double Scull: 1 Wales; 2 Ireland; 3 Scotland; 4 England. Coxless Pair: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Ireland; 4 Wales. Eight: 1 England; 2 Ireland; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Quadruple Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 Scotland; 3 Wales; 4 England. Team Result: 1 Scotland (25 points); 2 Ireland (22 points); 3 England (17 points); 4 Wales (16 points).

Senior Women
Lightweight Coxless Four
: 1 England; 2 Scotland; 3 Wales. Coxed Four: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Ireland; 4 Wales. Lightweight Single Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Single Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Double Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 Scotland; 3 England; 4 Wales. Coxless Pair: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Wales, 4 Ireland. Eight: 1 England; 2 Ireland; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Quadruple Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 Scotland; 3 England; 4 Wales. Team Result: 1 England (24 points); 2 Scotland (23 points); 3 Ireland (22 points); 4 Wales (10 points)

Junior Men
Coxless Four
: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Coxed Four: 1 Scotland; 2 Wales; 3 Ireland; 4 England. Single Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Wales. Double Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Scotland; 4 Wales. Coxless Pair: 1 England; 2 Scotland; 3 Ireland. Eight: 1 England; 2 Ireland; 3 Wales; 4 Scotland. Quadruple Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 Scotland; 3 England. Team Result; 1 Ireland (23 points), 2 England (20 points), 3 Scotland (15 points); 4 Wales (9 points).

Junior Women
Coxless Four
: 1 England; 2 Scotland; 3 Ireland. Coxed Four: 1 Scotland; 2 England; 3 Wales; 4 Ireland. Junior Single Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Wales. Double Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England; 3 Wales; 4 Scotland. Coxless Pair: 1 England; 2 Scotland; 3 Ireland. Eight: 1 England; 2 Ireland; 3 Scotland. Quadruple Scull: 1 Ireland; 2 England. Team Result: 1 England (24 points); 2 Ireland (20 points); 3 Scotland (13 points); 4 Wales (6 points)

 
 

26 July

   
 
 

Change to Home International race programme: please note that the Men's Lightweight Single Scull has been brought forward to 1120, and now becomes first race of the day (on line copy now amended)

Racing in the World U23 Rowing Championships in Genoa starts today, with Henry Westwood and Douglas Murray as the GB LM2- crew and Alasdair Stuart as the LM 1x

 
 

25 July

   
 
 

Home International Regatta news: Scotland's team for the Home International Regatta was announced this morning: a copy of the press release (with full team list) is here. Also a copy of the provisional draw and race timetable.

Supporters welcome. Why not come to Strathclyde Park on Saturday to support the Scotland team: you know yourself what a 'lift' support from the bank can give, and it's only one year in four that our team gets to race in front of a local crowd of support.

Regatta dates for 2003: SARA announced on Monday night that Strathclyde Park Regatta and Scottish Universities Championships will take place on 3-4 May 2003, with Scottish Rowing Championships and Scottish Schools Rowing Championships on 14-15 June 2003.

2003 Regatta Applications: Application forms for Heads and Regattas for the 2003 season have been sent out to all clubs holding events in 2002. Any club wishing to hold an event who does not have a form should contact the Convenor of Racing Control (see SARA Contacts). All applicants should note that completed forms accompanied by the appropriate fee must be with the Convenor of Racing Control by 31 August.

 
 

24 July

   
 
 

There's been a lot of national news on the site recently, so I thought a reminder of a couple of local items would be in order

Loch Lomond Sprint is on 24 August. the poster and events offered are here

Inverness Sprint is on 31 August and their poster and entry form are here also

Wanna buy an 80kg scull? One has just come up for sale on the Sales and Wants page

 
 

23 July

   
 
 
Laura West (Nithsdale) receives her gold medal and plaque as National Champion in WJ14 1x from Championships Chairman, Rodney Beer. (photo, Mansour Gemie). I'd be grateful for photographs of any other Scottish winners anyone can send me.
Last night's meeting of the SARA Executive took great pleasure in recording a whole series of important 'congratulations':

  • to Angus Argyle, Drew Hendry, Tom Morgan and John Langley (all Aberdeen BC), the first Scottish club winners of a Henley Royal Regatta medal, in the Wyfold Challenge
  • to Alasdair Stuart (Exeter RC and a former Scotland international), selected Great Britain U23 lightweight single sculler
  • to Henry Westwood and Douglas Murray (Glasgow RC), selected Great Britain U23 lightweight coxless pair
  • to Lucy Buglass (Aberdeen Schools RA), selected for the GB Junior Women's Coxless Four at the Junior World Rowing Championships
  • to Chris Logan (George Watson's), selected for the GB Junior Men's Quadruple Scull at the Junior World Rowing Championships

and, following the weekend's championships at Nottingham, to Scotland's 12 new National Champions of Great Britain

  • Laura West (Nithsdale ARC) National Champion in Junior Women's Single Sculls
  • Gordon Stevenson and Robert Norman (George Watson's), National Champions in Men's Junior 16 Double Sculls
  • Lucy Buglass (Aberdeen Schools RA), National Champion in senior Women's Coxless Fours as a member of the Nautilus RC (GB Junior Select) crew
  • Joanne Ganley and Leonie Barron (Thames RC), National Champions in Lightweight Women's Coxless Pairs
  • Gavin Shaw (Aberdeen University BC), National Champion in Men's Under 23 Single Scull
  • Michael Anderson, Robert Vallance, Ross Cruickshank, Colin Wallace and (cox) Jamie Steel (Aberdeen Schools RA), National Champions in Junior Men's Coxed Fours

The Executive congratulated all these athletes and their coaches, and also the 5 Scottish Silver medal winning crews and 6 Scottish bronze medal winning crews from the National Rowing Championships of Great Britain.

Last night's Executive also ratified the team selection for this weekend's Home International Regatta against England, Wales and Ireland at Strathclyde Park: team news is properly being confirmed first to the athletes and coaches and will be announced publicly thereafter.

 
 

21 July - reporting from National Rowing Championships of Great Britain

   
 
 

1710
Last race of these championships with Scottish interest, women's 8
, and the Aberdeen/Clydesdale/Castle Semple composite have won the bronze, behind gold medallists the England Commonwealth selected crew and silver medallists Thames RC.

So the final tally is 5 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze.

Next year, we do it all again, but with Nat Champs at Strathclyde Park.

1705
A Gold for Aberdeen Schools in JM 4+.
ASRA really grabbed this race early and didn't let go. Scots tally 5 medals of each colour now.

1700 hrs
Two more medals in LM 1x.
Dave Wallace (SABC) took silver and Jonny Logan (GWC) bronze in what was a good race over the full length of the course for the medals, even if the others were a bit further back. Tally is now 4 Gold, 5 Silver and 5 bronze.

1645
Nithsdale just out of the medals in WJ 4-
, 4th but in touch,

1630
Best I keep printing the medal count
: every time I do, someone wins another to make my tally out of date. LW 4- and Ganley, Baron, Ferguson and Ramsay have just collected silver, a length down on the winners, Kingston.

1620
Another Gold: Gavin Shaw of Aberdeen University
has just won U23 M1x - a cracking race in which he was under pressure right to the last stroke. That's now 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze.

1615
Good result for ASRA
: silver in JW 2-, within a length of the winners, Westminster, and a long way ahead of the rest of the field

Quick medal count: that's 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze so far for crews from Scottish clubs or comprising exclusively athletes trialling for the Scotland team.

1540
LW2-: Thames (Leonie Barron and Jo Ganley) and Aberdeen University (Niki Dinsmore and Alex Bonsall)
are the Scottish interest in this. Ganley and Barron lay 6th after 500, but shot to 1st after 1000m and stayed there. Aberdeen uni finished 6th. Ganley and Barron are also doing a LW 4- with Ramsay and Ferguson (the LW 2x bronze medallists, below)

Footnote to the result of LW 2x. The winners were the selected Zimbabwe crew for the Commonwealths, silver to the selected England crew and bronze to a crew seeking selection for Scotland - with just 2 seconds covering the 3 crews.

1500
Women's 4+ with Scottish interest from ABC/AUBC and from SABC/CARC/Thames.
ABC/AUBC never quite seemed to get into this one, but the St Andrew composite were well in the 2nd place battle in the closing stages. St Andrew just pipped on the line for silver and have to settle for bronze, Aberdeen 6th.

1450
JM 4- with Aberdeen Schools and Nithsdale.
Aberdeen third for half the race, but faded. It finished with nithsdale 5th and ASRA 6th.

WL 2x has 3 Scottish crews: Clydesdale, Clyde/Clydesdale and Marlow/Wallingford. Marlow /Wallingford (Ramsay/Ferguson) led for the first half but were reeled in by Thames Tradesmen and Notts County (for gold and silver). Bronze for Marlow/Wallingford with Clydesdale 4th and Clydesdale/Clyde 5th

1410
Nautilus RC
(the GB Junior team) with Lucy Buglass of ASRA on board have just won gold in W 4-

Aberdeen university have won silver in LM 2- with the St Andrew/Edinburgh Uni composite taking the bronze. The crosswind has definitely stiffened - we could really see an effect on steering in this race.

1340 hrs
Finals have started, first Scottish interest being Aberdeen Schools and George Heriots/Nithsdale in WJ 4+.
Aberdeen were well in the race in the early stages, but the St Paul's/Westminster composite and the Headington crew drew through and away from them. At the line, GHS/NARC were 5th and ASRA 6th.

1130 hrs
The Heriots/Nithsdale composite in WJ 4+ (incredibly this is the only crew with a George Heriots presence at these championships) qualified for the final from 2nd place in the rep.

In LM 2x, the Clydesdale/Strathclyde crew finished 4th in the rep and does not go forward.

Glasgow RC haven't made it through in their rep of M 4+, but Glasgow Uni Ladies did qualify 2nd in their rep of W4-.

1000 hrs
In women's 8s
, the draw put the expected England 8 for the Commonwealths (Thames/Wallingford/Globe/London) in the same heat as the composite of Scottish clubs (Aberdeen/Clydesdale/Clyde/Castle Semple) which must include most of the contenders for the Scottish 8. 'England' took a 7 sec lead from 'Scotland' (2nd) in the first 500m and sat on a safe 5-8 sec lead from there to the finish. 'Scotland' were more pre-occupied in a different battle for the second qualifying slot with Upper Thames/Notts County/Avon. 'England' 6:55, 'Scotland' 7.00, UTRC/NCRA/Avon 7:02.

0900 hrs
Much excitement near the end of racing last night, with a huge thunderstorm forcing the organisers to 'clear the lake' - a process achieved in less than 3 minutes! Racing resumed after about 20 minutes and the programme was completed.

Sunday's weather is much fresher with a cross/cross-tail wind from lane 6 to 1. Forecast includes showers.

I'll continue to report summaries of results for Scottish crews here, but The Rowing Service will have live commentary on-line once the senior finals start at 1300 hrs.

 
 

20 July - reporting from the National Rowing Championships of Great Britain

   
 
 

1630 hrs
and another medal for Watson's, a bronze in WJ16 4x
, behind Henley and Wycliffe. Have to say Henley were a long way ahead of everyone else.

. . . and that concludes today's finals. Thankfully the rain stayed away a lot of the time - in fact the weather for the evening heats and reps looks nigh on perfect. Further reports tomorrow.

1600 hrs
George Watsons (Norman and Stevenson) have just won gold in MJ16 2x
in a very good race with St Neots RC and Monmouth Comprehensive.

1500 hrs
In M 2x
, CSRC lost out in the eliminator. (4th in a race which had 1 to F and 2 to Rep)

. . . and now we're into some junior finals. Laura West of Nithsdale is Scotland's first National Champions of 2002, winner in WJ 14 1x. McPherson of George Watson's took the silver in the same event, so a Scottish 1-2. Hopefully the start of a run?

Kirsty Miles of Watson's has taken bronze in WJ16 1x

1400 in W4- the ABC/AUBC crew and the Nautilus crew with ASRA's Lucy Buglass on board both qualified direct to final in 2nd place in their heats. GULBC go to the rep (4th).

Surprised to see Haining and Harris competing here in M2- (as LRC/UTRC) given the story that Peter is in the GB LM8, but they have just come 2nd in their heat and go to rep.

In the first heat of LW 2x, the CARC crew (Fettes x 2) qualified direct in 2nd behind NCRA, with Clyde/CARC in 3rd going to the Rep. In the 2nd heat, the Marlow/Wallingford (and Scotland) composite (Ramsay/Ferguson) qualified direct in 2nd place.

W4+ draw has put the ABC/AUBC composite in the opposite heat to SABC/CSRC/Thames, with 2 to F in each. ABC/AUBC look comfortable qualifying in 2nd place in the 1st heat. The SABC//CSRC/TRC composite qualified similarly in the 2nd heat, behind OBUBC.

1200: M Lwt 1x, and several Scots in these eliminators, 1 to F and 2 to Rep from each. J Logan (GWC) led off in his, but finished 3rd to go to the rep. Wallace (SABC) led his from the start and goes straight to final, but Scott (SPRC) was eliminated in the same heat. Macrae and Phillips (both CARC) were also eliminated (4th and 5th) in their very closely fought heat.

W 1x now and Dick (GRC) has just narrowly gone out (4th) in a heat (it was 3 to F, no rep)

In JM 1x, Stevenson of GRC lay 2nd after 500m but 6th after 1000m, which is how it finished.

M Lwt 2x now, with Scott/Macrae (SPRC/CARC) doubling up surprisingly soon after their singles, but everybody goes either to F or Rep. And indeed they go to the rep in last place. The AUBC double seems to have withdrawn.

M4+ and Glasgow RC have just finished 2nd to Nautilus(GB selected juniors) in a heat: GRC go to the rep.

1100: The rain is showers rather than steady rain, so that's not so bad. Car parks filling up nicely - as some wag pointed out, inside a car on the bank (and with the wipers on) could be one of the better viewing points today!

More eliminated Scottish semi-finalists to report, I'm afraid. CSRC in MJ14 2x (4th) and also in MJ 15 2x (5th).

In the first of the senior races, eliminators of W Lwt 1x, King (ABC) went out (6th) while McFerran (CARC), who had led her semi off the start, faded to 4th by the finish.

In WJ14 4x+, GWC went out (6th) in their semi, while in MJ14 4x+, the CSRC/SPRC composite also went out, 5th

1000: the rain has arrived, but thankfully no wind. In MJ16 1x, Norman of GWC has gone out, 4th in his semi. The NARC WJ152x was 6th in their semi and goes out; the CARC/SPRC and GWC WJ16 2x crews also came 6th in their respective semis and go out.

0900: Torrential rain overnight, but dry in time for start of racing this morning (0800). Not a breath of wind, so perfect water conditions, but forecast for later today has possibility of heavy showers or worse.

In today's early semi-final races, West of NARC cruised home easily in the 2nd of 3 qualifying places for the final of W J14 1x. McPherson (GWC) qualified 3rd from the other semi.

In W J16 1x semis, Myles of GWC had more of a race for her 2nd spot, while Gemie of NARC went out in 4th place in the other semi, 3 tenths of a second off the qualifying place in 3rd.

 
 

19 July - reporting from National Rowing Championships of Great Britain

   
 
 

1630hrs Update on WJ16 1x
Just been told that the first 3 boats in Annie Morrison's (SABC) heat all beat the championships record time or WJ16 1x crews. Could be interesting in later rounds. Meanwhile I also hear that Annie started hyperventilating in her later heat of J18 1x, which accounts for her performance there. All fine now, I gather from her coach, Chalky White.

1530hrs and no hint of rain yet
W J16 1x: Gemie of NARC qualified easily in 2nd for her semi, as did Miles of GWC, 1st in the following heat. Stone of SPRC (is this the first sighting of SPRC at Nat Champs?) finished 5th in hers and goes to the rep. In the fastest heat, Morrison of SABC finished 2nd (goes to semi) in a time which would easily have won any of the other heats.

MJ14 1x: Sarahs of NARC finished 5th (last) but gets another chance in the rep.

MJ16 1x: Norman of GWC sat on a safe qualification for the semi in 3rd place.

WJ15 2x: ASRA had a telescopic blade fall in two at half distance while lying 2nd; unfortunately, they were in the only 6-boat heat and so are eliminated without the chance in the rep (though they did recover and finish the heat). No such problems for NARC 2 heats later, safely through to the semi in 3rd place

WJ16 2x: CARC/SPRC were almost a full minute behind the heat winner, but still go to the semi in 3rd place. GWC 4th go to the rep, but they were a long way back.

MJ14 2x: CSRC safely through in 3rd

MJ15 2x: CSRC again safe through in 3rd

MJ16 2x: GWC go to the semi in 2nd place

WJ14 4x+: GWC were with the field after 500m, but then slipped steadily to finish 4th, some way off the field. They go to the rep. In another heat, CSRC/SPRC also faded (4th) after a more promising start - but get another go in the rep

WJ 4+: ASRA won their heat by some distance, but one sensed that Haberdashers (2nd) were saving themselves a bit more than Aberdeen (neither being under any threat from the 3rd placed crew).

MJ 4+: one of the better real races of the day. ASRA tussled with Northwich most of the way down the course, but broke away from them with 500m to go. NARC were never far away in 3rd, but weren't able to deny Northwich the 2nd direct qualifying place; NARC go to the rep.

WJ 1x: just watching a heat go through, with Donn (CSRC) and Morrison (SABC) finishing 4th and 5th, both some way off the pace (but both also rowing 'up an age group' if I'm not mistaken)

Day 1 of the National Rowing Championships at Holme Pierrepont. A record entry of 822 crews (previous highest was 813 in 2000). Conditions this morning are overcast and calm, with some rain forecast for this afternoon. Racing has just started, and good to see Scottish interest in the early races: in race 3 (Eliminator of J14 1x) McPherson (GWC, 2nd)) and West (NARC, 3rd) have just gone straight to the semi with Thompson (GWC, 5th) going to the repechage. Please don't expect that detail of reporting on every race, though!

The Rowing Service will have live commentary on-line on the senior finals of the Championships: you can bookmark the link now, though it will only start reporting around Sunday lunchtime.

Inverness Sprint Regatta: the poster and entry form for the Inverness RC "Morrison" Sprint on 31 August is now up

 
 

16 July

   
 
 

For any of you whose imaginations were fired by the thought of the Commonwealth Corporate Sprints - I see a note on the Festival of Rowing site that the corporate races have been cancelled. The Club Sprints for 4-, 4x and 8s still run though.

New Clydesdale web site: Clydesdale ARC have a new web site (and new web address, so update your links).

Scots at the Nat Champs: there will be regular reports on the SARA web site from the National Rowing Championships at Nottingham this weekend.

 
 

15 July

   
 
 

More selection news: Chris Logan of George Watson's College is to race in the GB Quad at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Lithuania. George Vaizey (Dulwich College) and Dan Tipney (Marlow) have been selected for the GB Quad for the Coupe de la Jeunesse. All three scullers were in the Scottish junior men's quad at the HIR last year.

Lightweight success at Lucerne: among the chat about the Gold for Flood and Houghton (W2x) and the post mortems on the Pinsent and Cracknell performance, Some other performances can get missed: like ex-Nithsdale sculler Kirsten McClelland-Brooks, who won gold in Women's Lightweight Single Sculls. She won a silver in the Hazewinkel round a few weeks ago, so clearly going well this season.

 
 

12 July

   
 
 

Forty not out . . . Peter Haining, forty this year, has been selected for the GB lightweight men's 8 for the World Rowing Championships in Seville. Stewart Bates (NCRA, but formerly Clyde) has been selected for the same crew, as has cox, James Haddow. Alasdair Stuart, who has represented Scotland but rows from Exeter, is the selected GB sculler in U23 LM1x, while Westwood and Murray (whose selection for the World U23 LM2- I reported earlier) are also in the GB LM4- for the World Universities Rowing Championships at Nottingham.

Pinsent and Cracknell beaten in Lucerne: Ginn and Tomkins of Australia (ex Oarsome Foursome members) beat Pinsent and Cracknell in the heat of M2- at Lucerne today. The lead changed hands between the crews twice, with the Australians winning by just over a second. Full details on the FISA site (link below)

1245 hrs
Nat Champs draw published
: the provisional draw and race timetable for the National Rowing Championships of Great Britain (Nottingham, 19-21 July) is now up.

1145 hrs
The Lucerne round of the Zurich Rowing World Cup
got under way on the Rotsee within the last hour: I see Kirsten McLelland-Brooks won the first race on the course - her heat of LW1x. Best place to keep up to date with results (well, my recommendation anyway) is the FISA results service/racetracker.

Photographs from Henley Royal Regatta: JET Photographic have been putting theirs up in dribs and drabs all week - I saved the link until the set looked complete. Also thanks to Catriona Norris of ABC for spotting this link to an alternate shot on NLRoei of the Aberdeen boys en route to their win in the Wyfold Challenge.

Glasgow pair selected as GB U23 LM2-: at yesterday's GB lightweight selection race-off at Dorney Lake, Henry Westwood and Douglas Murray were selected as the lightweight men's pair to compete at the World U23 Rowing Championships (formerly the Nations Cup) in Genoa, Italy on 25-26 July. Henry and Douglas are both Glasgow based (associated with Glasgow RC, Strathclyde University and Clyde RC if memory serves). Congratulations also to the coaches involved: Alan Hodgin of GRC, supported in recent weeks by Scotland's National Coach, John McArthur.

I am hearing unconfirmed rumours of other GB selections: if anyone can pass firm information to me I'd be very grateful.

Nithsdale Sprint cancelled: Nithsdale ARC have decided not to run the sprint regatta they had scheduled for 7th September - though there is word they may run a different event the following month. More details later on that I'm sure.

 
 

11 July

   
 
 

Loch Lomond Sprint link is now fixed: thanks to those who e-mailed me about it.

News from the Festival of Rowing (which, if you haven't heard of it, is the aggregation of rowing events at Nottingham built around the World Universities and Commonwealth Championships).

A Club Sprint Challenge and a Corporate Sprint Challenge are to be interlaced between heats and finals of the Commonwealth Rowing Championships - a chance for club rowers (and indeed absolute beginners in the corporate event) to compete on the same water, on the same day, as the Commonwealth athletes. A novel idea; full details on the Festival of Rowing web site.

 
 

10 July

   
 
 

Beating the Bugs. Three users of the site have reported problems with the new design: they were seeing the black body text on a dark blue background instead of white, which was making it hard to read (!). In two cases this has been positively traced to incompatibility with older browser versions.

The new SARA site is designed to make use of features only introduced in Explorer 5 or Netscape 5 (or later): the worst problems seem to be with Netscape v4. If you have had these problems, there are free downloads of the latest of each browser, links being on the right of this page under Viewing Problems.

Hope that helps, but if any user of reasonably current operating systems (e.g. Win98/Mac OS 8 or later) or browsers is still having problems, please do let me know

 
 

9 July

   
 
 

The poster and events for the Loch Lomond Sprint on 24 August are now up.

Another good news footnote to Henley, for which thanks to Gordon Blandford. Abingdon School, which did the triple this year (Schools Head, National Schools eights and Princess Elizabeth for Schools eights at Henley) was coached by rowing master Mike Martin, an old crew and club mate of Gordon's from Dumfries High School and Nithsdale ARC.

Contacts update for Dundee University BC. Dundee Uni has a new men's captain, Dave Shea, and news women's captain, Robin Dickinson. No, it's not a typo; they really have elected a bloke as women's captain. Very PC lot at DUBC obviously. Also a new secretary, Helen Hughes. Update your records from the Contacts page, Club Contacts section. They also have a rather natty poster campaign for new recruits going on in the university

 
 

8 July

   
 
  The good news just keeps coming. Lucy Buglass of Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association has been confirmed as a member of the Great Britain junior women's coxless four for the Junior World Rowing Championships in Lithuania. Lucy becomes the first Aberdeen-based rower (junior, U23 or senior) to be selected for a GB rowing team. She will row with two girls from Headington School (coached at Headington by former ASRA coach Bobby Gibson) and one from Lady Eleanor Holles.  
 

7 July - Finals Day at Henley Royal Regatta

   
 
 

Aberdeen win the Wyfold at Henley

Four oarsmen from Aberdeen Boat Club made Scottish sporting history today by becoming the first Scottish club crew ever to win at Henley Royal Regatta.

Racing in the Wyfold Challenge Cup for men’s coxless fours, Angus Argyle, Drew Hendry, Tom Morgan and John Langley flew off the start at 44 strokes a minute and had a 1/3 length lead over their opposition from London Rowing Club at the top of the island. The strong headwind made steering difficult for both crews, but Aberdeen’s steersman, Drew Hendry, seemed to hold the better line.

By half distance into the traditional 1 mile and 550 yard course at Henley-on-Thames, Aberdeen had a 1 1/3 length lead and had dropped their rate of striking to 36 strokes a minute. At the finish, Aberdeen BC beat London RC by 5 lengths.

The Aberdeen BC crew was coached by Alison 'Ali' Paterson and sponsored by Specially Selected Scotch Pork.

  • Time to the Barrier: 2 mins 9 seconds
  • Time to Fawley: 3 mins 37 seconds
  • Time at the Finish: 7 mins 38 seconds

The crew received the Wyfold Challenge Cup and their winners medals from Mary McAleese, President of the Republic of Ireland.

For those of you in the Grampian TV area, footage of the race and interviews with the crew and coach gone up to Grampian tonight: you can expect to see them aired tomorrow (principally on North Tonight 1800-1830). There should also be a full spread of Mike Haggerty's reports in those of Monday's daily newspapers he reports for (Herald, Scotsman, Press and Journal)

That concludes reporting from Henley Royal Regatta on the Scottish Rowing web site. A big thank you to Martin Worth, who has provided all the photographs. We're all off now to what I suspect will be the biggest ever Scottish party to hit Henley town. Cheers!: Terry McNeill (the scribe)

1300 hrs
The final of the Visitors Challenge is to be re-rowed at 5.30pm.
Cambridge University clearly won the scheduled final against Oxford Brookes University and Imperial College, however OBUBC/IC protested that they had suffered interference from geese on the course in the latter stages. Since OBUBC/IC were already trailing at this point, it could be suggested that this interference was fortuitous for OBUBC/IC to say the least . . . .

1200 hrs
The first upset of Finals Day has been of the gastric, not racing, variety.
Two Leander composites have been struck by stomach upsets, tentatively put down to a meal the athletes shared last night. The final of the Fawley Challenge Cup has been postponed until 1600 hrs to allow crew members to recover. In the Queen Mother, however, Steve Lee and Matt Beechey of the Leander/ Molesey composite are too ill to race, so the opposition Leander/University of London row over un-challenged.

 
 

6 July

   
 
 
Pring, Robertson, O'Malley and Harte of London RC in their
semi-final of the Wyfold.
Langley, Morgan, Hendry and Argyle of Aberdeen in their
semi of the Wyfold
Laverick, Winckless, Grainger and Mowbray of
Leander/Marlow in the Women's Quad
Innes, Chesney, Ferguson and Ramsay of Marlow RC
in the Women's Quadruple Scull
2000 hrs
Sunday's final of the Wyfold Challenge is set to include 7 Scots among the 8 athletes competing.

In the first semi-final, London RC (including Pete Robertson, Colin O'Malley, and Danny Harte) matched Leander stroke for stroke off the start at 41 and had a 3/4 length lead by the 1/4 mile. This built steadily to a 3 1/2 length victory, the times 1:53 to the Barrier, 3:09 to Fawley and 6:30 at the finish. the London crew look quick and precise.

In the second semi-final (30 mins later and in near identical conditions) Aberdeen BC raced Notts County RA. Aberdeen had a 2 1/2 stone per man advantage, but still managed to out rate NCRA off the start (Aberdeen 44, NCRA 43) and gain a 1/2 length advantage by the top of the island. Although on paper Aberdeen simply continued to go away from County, this was a real race - as the times prove (compare them with those in the first semi above). 1:58 to the Barrier, 3:20 to Fawley and 6:59 at the finish. The winning margin was 2 1/4 lengths

Everyone is now looking forward to the final.

1300 hrs
In the Women's Quadruple Scull
, the brave lightweights from Marlow (including Scottish contenders Kat Ramsay, Lorna Ferguson and Vicki Innes) stood little chance on paper against the much heavier GB Quad from Marlow/Leander (including 2 scullers from the Olympic silver medal quad, one of them Katherine Grainger). So it proved on the water. That said, the lightweights sculled tidily and well and might well have beaten other crews in the competition if the draw had been kinder.

 
 

5 July

   
 
 

1330 hrs
Aberdeen's crusade in the Wyfold continues
. Their Galway RC opponents out rated the Aberdeen BC crew throughout the race (Galway started at 46 against Aberdeen's 41) but Aberdeen had 1 1/2 lengths by the 1/4 mile, extending to 3 lengths at 1 1/8 mile. They rowed comfortably through the enclosures to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Aberdeen face Notts County in tomorrow's semi final, the County crew being final triallists for GB lightweight selection on Tuesday. The Aberdeen crew are not at all fazed however: interviewed for Grampian Television's 'North Tonight' programme (Friday, 1800-1830hrs, also have footage of today's race) they were relishing the prospect of tomorrow's race. (Photo courtesy Martin Worth)

1045 hrs
Peter Haining's prediction of a 'right battle' for himself and Martin Harris in their race today in the Goblets was correct.
In a light headwind, the heavier Kingston RC crew took a 1 length lead by the 1/4 mile. Haining and Harris, however, were not giving up; they battled strongly from Fawley, bringing the lead down to 1/2 length - but never managing to quite level the race. Rojas and Rubio (KRC) went through by 3/4 length.

As expected, the GB women's Quad (Marlow/Leander) made short work of Henley RC in their first race today. They had 4 lengths by Fawley and led easily from there to the finish.

0930 hrs
Watson's sneaked a sculler I didn't notice into the regatta
: Chris Logan, competing in a 4-way junior quad with Burton Leander/Dulwich College/St Edwards School in the Fawley (listed in the programme as Dulwich/Burton Leander). They faced St Edward's School in today's first round, built steadily to a 3 length lead and easily held off the final St Edwards challenge to finish winners by 1 3/4 lengths.

 
 

4 July

   
 
 

1900 hrs
Aberdeen BC overcame North Country RC of the USA
with somewhat greater ease than North Country's row of yesterday might have led one to anticipate. Aberdeen set off at 43 and led by 1/2 length at the end of the island, extending to 1 length at the 1/4 mile. The distance became 2 lengths at the Barrier and then 4 lengths at the 3/4 mile, by which stage both crews were striking 34. In a head breeze, time to Fawley was 3.27 and at the finish 7.24; the margin 4 1/2 lengths. The 'Specially Selected Scotch Pork' sponsored Aberdeen crew goes forward to Friday, still looking good

In the Men's Quadruple Sculls, the Marlow RC/George Watson's College composite came up against Union Boat Club of the USA - almost 3 stone a man heavier than the composite of recent GB internationals (including Scots Jonny Logan and Dan Tipney). The composite suffered in the headwind, but kept the losing margin to 1 length. Sadly, no special present for the coach, Jim Ferguson of Watson's, who was celebrating his Silver Wedding at the regatta today with his wife (and fellow GWC coach) Evelyn.

1300 hrs
Peter Haining and Martin Harris made it look simple
in their first heat of the Goblets (M2-) today. They led from the start, and built on their lead until Fawley before backing off to allow a closer finish. 2 min 14 to the Barrier, 3 min 48 to Fawley, 8 min 07 at the finish, with the winning margin 1 1/4 lengths (Photo: Martin Worth)

 
 

3 July

   
 
 

2000 hrs
Aberdeen impress and go forward easily.
The Aberdeen BC 4- in the Wyfold set off at 42 over Curlew RC's 35, and romped to a 3 1/2 length lead by the 1/4 mile. The race by this stage was over. The crew looked crisp and impressive and the ultimate verdict was 'easily'. They go forward to race North Country RC of the USA tomorrow at 6.35 pm. (Photo Martin Worth)

First race tomorrow is a 0900, with the first Scottish interest being Haining and Harris in the Goblets at 11.15 in the morning.

On the weather, the rain stopped during the morning and the weather cleared considerably: fingers crossed.

1555 hrs
Leander, last of the selected crews in the Wyfold
(except Aberdeen) have just had a straightforward win over Reading RC. The rating dropped to 30 at Remenham once Leander had established a 2 1/4 length lead; the ultimate winning margin of 1 length is a formality. Now we wait to see Aberdeen this evening.

For non-Aberdeen people reading this, it's not that the SARA site is suddenly biased toward ABC: it's just that the only Scottish club crew in the regatta is Aberdeen and that the other events with Scottish crew members don't start racing today. Honest.

The youngest smile of the regatta today must surely belong to Henry Lawrence, the 9 year old cox of the Lea RC entry in the Thames. At 6 stone, probably safe to say he's the lightest competitor in the Regatta. Young Mr Lawrence's crew graduated safely from their heat earlier this morning.

1515 hrs
Two further heats of the Wyfold involving selected crews to report.
Thames RC (selected) moved into an early lead from London RC 'D' who had a close brush with the buoys at the Island. Thames continued to go away, to win easily. London RC 'A' (selected) led off the start in their heat against Molesey BC. LRC led by 1 length at the 1/4 mile, by 3 1/4 lengths by the Barrier and continued to increase this to win easily.

1400 hrs
Close shave for Haining. . .
but not in the rowing sense. The Aberdeen BC posse were enjoying lunch aboard our barge by the River and Rowing Museum when Martin Harris paddled past - apparently with a new partner stroking the pair. Illness? Perhaps something contagious acquired from the GB4- now withdrawn from the Stewards Cup and forcing a substitution?

Rest easy, readers: its was simply the new-look, go-faster Peter Haining - now without the hairy caterpillar (moustache) perched on his upper lip (as seen at Scot Champs).

1230 hrs
In the Wyfold Challenge,
we had the chance this morning to see North Country USA vs Worcester RC - the winner to face Aberdeen BC if they are successful against Curlew RC this evening.

This was an exceptional race between the lighter weight North Country crew (largely Dartmouth Alumni) and the heavier Worcester crew. North Country flew off the start and had a 3 ft lead at the quarter mile. This was reversed to a canvas in favour of Worcester at the Barrier, building to 3/4 length at the mile. North Country timed their finish perfectly, however, rowing Worcester down from the Mile to win by a length. Future opposition will need to watch this crew.

On conditions, in the first block of races the winners divided exactly 50/50 between stations, so neither station looks favoured at this stage.

 
 

3 July (posted from Henley)

   
 
 

A preview to the Regatta and today's racing . . .

It rained throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning: hopefully racing will not be affected by the stream strengthening on one station . . .

The only Scottish crew featuring in racing on day 1 of the regatta is Aberdeen BC in the Wyfold - and we have to wait until 7.15pm to see them race. Earlier in the day, however, we will have first chance to look at the other 'selected crews (Thames, Leander, London 'A') in their first round races.

Meanwhile a round-up of other Scottish interest this year - including a crew I missed earlier. None of these start racing until Thursday or Friday.

Peter Haining and Martin Harris go in the Goblets (2-), with Di Clemente and Cech as the other selected crew in their half of the draw. In the Men's Quadruple Sculls, the Marlow/Watson's composite carry the Scots interest.

In the Women's Quadruple Sculls, the draw is such that selected crew, Marlow and Leander (the GB quad featuring Katherine Grainger at 3) should face the Marlow quad (including Scottish Commonwealth triallists Kat Ramsay, Lorna Ferguson and Vicki Innes who have a bye in the first round) in the second round.

 
 

1 July

   
 
 

Clydesdale Corporate Crew Challenge took place on Saturday (thanks to Caitie Gorton for this report). Eight crews competed despite the miserable 'summer' weather. In topical World Cup style, the challenge took the format of group stages progressing to semi finals and then a final - with Alcatel the winning crew. The Shower Centre crew, dressed in tasteful (?) beach shirts, failed to win a race - however they did come through to win the erg challenge in 6.38. Goes to show, power can't make a champion by itself, but it can cheer you up.

The full draw for Henley is now up

 
 

 

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