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News Archive:
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27 June |
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National
Rowing Championships in Scotland - make the most of it!:
as most will know, the National Rowing Championships of Great Britain
are to be held this year at Strathclyde Park from 18-20 July (the
Friday is junior heats day, senior events don't start until Saturday).
Obviously it's more convenient for Scottish crews to compete when
the Champs are here - and should be a matter of pride to us that
there should be an extra-strong Scottish entry in years when we
host the event.
Check the Nat Champs web
site for the full spread of events: there is an easy-to-use
online entry system.
'Scotland Select' entries for National Rowing Championships:
a note from the team manager: "The IRC would like to encourage
all selected Scotland crews to enter relevant events at the National
Rowing Championships - especially those crews that have not
raced together yet. If for club and/or sitting crew reasons athletes
feel unable to do this, it will not affect selection. But it must
be emphasised that it is crucial for new combinations to race together
before HIR. It is the responsibility of clubs to make club entries,
obviously. Would team coaches please let team manager Tom
Baker know which HIR crews they wish to enter for the Nat Champs
along with license numbers of athletes, by Wednesday 2nd July.
These crews will be entered as club composites."
Re-live Henley Women's Regatta on video: RowTV
have clips of most of the Sunday races.
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26 June |
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Castle Semple
moves to Strathclyde Park: the Scotland team seat trial/crew
formation event scheduled for this weekend at Castle Semple has
been moved to Strathclyde Park and now starts at 0900. The
event is now one day only (Saturday) and will otherwise follow broadly
the format in the team manager's
earlier e-mail to invited athletes/coaches.
A look ahead to Henley Royal Regatta: Five scottish
club crews have entered at Henley this year, with three of these
having to go through the qualifying time trial tomorrow (crews suffixed
'Q' here). Edinburgh University (Q) and Glasgow University have
both entered the Temple Challenge Cup (eights), while Aberdeen University
has crews in the Visitors' Challenge Cup (coxless fours) and in
the Britannia Challenge Cup (Q) (coxed fours). George Watson's College
(Q) have an entry in the Fawley Challenge Cup (junior quadruple
sculls).
The overall entry this year totals 494 crews - a significant increase
on last year's 446 entries. There are 110 overseas crews from 15
different nations competing.
Tomorrow's qualifiers start at 4.00pm and run through until 8.10pm.
The results will come up on the Henley
Royal Regatta web site.
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24 June |
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Scotland squad
kit orders: athletes and coaches who have been selected
for the Scotland Team for the Home International Regatta in Cork
have already been e-mailed by the team manager. They should also
have received a kit order form: if any selected athlete or coach
has not received their order form, they should contact Alison
Harrison (urgently), to who the forms must be returned by Sunday
29th June (e-mail) or Monday 30th June (post).
Calling all current and potential coaches!
The SARA Coaching Register is being updated: all
currently registered coaches MUST complete and return this
registration form by 7th
July if they want to remain on the coaching register (and to receive
course/coaching information from SARA). A copy of the current coaching
register is here for
information
An SARA Rowing Instructor Course (RIC) is to be held in
Aberdeen on 2-3 and 9-10 August, based in the Aberdeen
Schools RA boathouse. The course (applications close 17 July) is
open to holders of a BIC wanting to progress or to holders of other
qualifications keen to update their knowledge/skills. Full
details and an application
form here.
Henley Royal Regatta full list of entries
and qualifying
information are now up. Total entries are well up this
year, with a healthy crop of Scottish competitors to look out for
too.
Results
from the Marlow Regatta (sometimes contains possible form
indicators for HRR?)
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22 June - from Henley Women's Regatta |
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1525: Aberdeen
University are Women's Henley Champions. From an early
stage, there was little doubt as to the outcome of this Lightweight
Coxless Fours final. Aberdeen University took an early lead over
Grosvenor and consistently out-rated them over the course. By the
Barn, Aberdeen (37) led Grosvenor (34 1/2) by 1 1/2 lengths - extending
this to 2 lengths by the boat racks in the enclosure.
At Upper Thames, Aberdeen University still rated 36 over Grosvenor's
34 and had a lead of 2 1/2 lengths before settling for a 2 1/4 length
win on the line in 5 min 43 secs. The Aberdeen University crew were
Alex Bonsall, Nikki Dinsmore, Ruth Hobson and Liz Macintosh, coached
by Gary Bain.
1515: Aberdeen/Semple just squeezed out by Marlow.
Conditions had dulled and the headwind strengthened as the crews
went to the start for the final of Club Quad Sculls. Coming through
the car parks Aberdeen/Semple held a tiny lead rating 36 over Marlow
(35). But as they approached the Barn, Marlow drew level and then,
just before the start of the enclosure, took a 1/4 length lead.
Passing the boat racks Marlow (35) led Aberdeen (34) by 1/2 length
- just as Aberdeen began to raise their rating and push back. At
Upper Thames, Aberdeen/Semple raised their rating again and closed
Marlow's lead to 1/3 length. But this was as close as it got: at
the line, Marlow (stroked by 2002 Scotland Commonwealth team member
Lorna Ferguson) won by 1/2 length in 5:25. The Aberdeen/Semple quad
were Elaine Law, Clare Haley, Fiona Insch and Maeve Cunningham,
coached by Russ Haley.
1300: Myles goes out to devastating early push from Page:
Kirsty Myles (George Watson's) and Natasha Page (Gloucester) found
their race scheduled in an increasing headwind. Page took full advantage
of the relatively sheltered water by the island to take a 1 length
lead into which Myles was unable to make later headway once out
of the lee of the island. Within 500m of the start, both scullers
had dropped their rating to 23 and were drawing heavily into the
headwind. Page continued to draw away slowly, building a 3 length
lead by half distance and holding this to the finish.
1130: Aberdeen University show class to go through in LW
4-: Aberdeen University took this one by the scruff of
the neck off the start, jumping to a 1/2 length lead over Mortlake
Anglian and Alpha by the end of the island. As the crews emerged
into the open water there was a worrying moment as Aberdeen University
were repeatedly warned for their steering. This settled, however,
and the University were able to continue to build on their lead.
By the car park, Aberdeen Uni led by 1 1/2 lengths and had settled
to a rating of 36. Mortlake seemed to be labouring with heavier
gearing. By the top of the enclosures, the lead had grown to 2 1/2
lengths and to 3 lengths, still rating 36, by the boating area in
the enclosures.
Approaching the finish, Aberdeen University dropped their rating
to 35 and won by 2 lengths in 5:24. They race Grosvenor in the final,
Grosvenor having won the earlier, slower semi.
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What
does a St Andrew girl do when she's been knocked out at Henley?
She paints her nails of course! Thanks to Mairi Torrie for
the photo. Anybody who's at the regatta with a digital camera,
I'd welcome pix in the press tent next to the weigh-in. |
1055: Glasgow/Clydesdale pipped in tight doubles semi-final:
commentary on this race did not include much rating information, but
it was a close affair at every stage. Glasgow/Clydesdale (Lindsay
Dick and Ailie Ord) were level pegging with Belvoir Zurich at the
end of the island, the crews matching rating stroke for stroke. At
the car park, both crews were rating 36 and Glasgow/Clydesdale led
by a couple of feet.
By the enclosures, however, the lead had changed hands, Belvoir
Zurich (36) now 4-5 feet up on Glasgow Clydesdale (35 1/2). Glasgow
pushed hard coming to the end of the enclosures - not lifting the
rating, but hardening the finishes and lengthening in the water.
As the crews approached the line, Glasgow Clydesdale were unable
to make progress into the small lead which Belvoir Zurich had by
now held for almost half the race. Belvoir Zurich won by 1/4 length
in 5:29 - a time which was 7 seconds faster than the other semi
final.
1045: Aberdeen/Castle Semple are Scotland's first finalists
of this year's Women's Henley: Henley Rowing Club out-rated
the Aberdeen composite 46-43 off the start and took an early marginal
lead. However as the start patterns completed at the end of the
island, both crews settled to 40 and were level. At the car park,
Henley had a canvass lead, both crews rating 36, a lead which Henley
increased to 1/2 length at the Barn. At this point Aberdeen dropped
their rating to 35 but lengthened in the water and started to push
back at Henley (36) and as the crews passed regatta control in the
enclosures Aberdeen/Semple had a lead of 3/4 length and increasing.
At the end of the enclosures, Aberdeen/Semple (34) led Henley (35
1/2) by 1 length.
At the end of the enclosures, Henley were sprinting to try to get
back, but Aberdeen/Semple continued to build the lead to 2 lengths
by Upper Thames boathouse. In the closing stages, Aberdeen/Semple
(34) led Henley (37) to the line by 1 length in 5:13. They race
Marlow, who won their semi in 5:12, in the final.
Things to do when you've been knocked out of Women's Henley:
look back in a wee while for a corking picture of what St Andrew
got up to after they got knocked out. Just now I've got to go watch
the quads race . . .
Scotland Men's Team event today cancelled: a note
overnight from team manager Tom Baker that this trail/crew formation
event at the Park has been cancelled due to too many other competing
events at the same time - apologies that I've only just received
it in the last few minutes so couldn't publish sooner (but I gather
the athletes were e-mailed direct).
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21 June - from Henley Women's Regatta |
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1735: Myles
safe through in Schools/Junior single sculls. Kirsty Myles
of George Watson's College was cruising confidently in her 1st round
of Junior 1x this afternoon. By half distance Myles had a 2 length
lead over Baldry over St Peters School York. At the finish, Kirsty
Myles won by 3 lengths in 6 min 13 secs.
That's the last race with Scottish involvement today. Tomorrow
sees Aberdeen BC off at 1030 in Club 4x and Glasgow/Clydesdale at
1040 in Open 2x. These, with the Aberdeen University Lwt 4- (1120
am) and Kirsty Myles (in School/Junior 1x at 1250) are the last
remaining Scottish crews in the regatta - but it's more than this
time last year.
1655: Aberdeen sprint ahead, but stronger Scullers draw
through: Aberdeen BC (R 46) sprinted to an early lead over
Tideway Scullers (R41) in Club 4s however, by the top of the island
both crews were at 38 and racing on level terms. At the car parks,
TSS (38) had a fractional lead over ABC (36.5), which they gradually
eased out to 3/4 length as they approached the Barn. At the boating
area, TSS (36) led ABC (33.5) by 2L, which they sustained to Upper
Thames (TSS 32, ABC 34.5). At the finish, TSS won by 3 Lengths in
the fastest time in the event so far.
1650: Aberdeen University go through on a row over:
in Lwt 4-, Aberdeen University's opposition from 1st & 3rd Trinity/Newham
failed to appear at the start. AUBC rowed over to progress, but
did some useful work on the course despite the lack of oppo.
1610: Edinburgh University go out to late reversal by Mass.:
Edinburgh University led University of Massachusetts B by the top
of the island, and had a 1 length lead by the car parks. However
Massachusetts played a later game and, by the enclosures, had hauled
this back to a 1/2 length deficit. Pushing hard into the closing
stages, Massachusetts continued to reel in EUBC, winning the race
by a canvass at the line.
1530: Scotland Team Selection News: just catching
up with e-mails while I have been out of contact at Henley, this
from Scotland team manager, Tom Baker: "The following Athletes
are invited to the next stage of the selection process, in the following
combinations:- MEN 22nd June 2003 Strathclyde Park.
A. Warnock (1X,2X), K. Watson (2X,4X), I. Lewis (4X), J. Logan (4X),
H. Westwood (4X, Lwt4-), T. Hanna (Lwt1X, Lwt4-), N. MacRae (2-,
Lwt4-), D. McNeill (2-, Lwt4-), G. Shaw T.B.A. (depends on GB selection),
K. Wright Cox. Coaches: G. Warnock 4X, 2X, 1X, C. Simpson 2-, Lwt4-,
Lwt1X. Women 28th June Castle Semple: J. Beck (4+),
L. Dick (2X, 4X), C. Graveling (Lwt1X, 4X), J. Grewar (4+), C. Haley
(1X, 2-), A. Hinds (4-), R. Hobson (4-), A. Hulme (4X), F. Hunter
(4+), F. Insch (2-), M. Jowitt (4-), N. McGuire (4-), E. MacIntosh
(4-), B. Moffat (4+), A. Ord (2, 4X), C. Gorton Cox, A. Mair Cox,
J. Wherrett Cox. Coaches: J. Collier 4+, R. Haley 1X, 2-, G. Warnock
2X , G. Bain 4-, D. Nolan 4X, Lwt1X (TBA). Training/Crew
Formation: The men's on 22.6.03 at Strathclyde Park will
be mainly a training day with some timed pieces. The Women's on
28.6.03 at Castle Semple will be mainly a training day with some
timed pieces, but the 4- will be racing for seats. Any questions
please email Tom Baker or phone
him at 01463 741301 or 07970491755"
"Heriots Cox Struck Dumb": Heriots have
lost a cox box which was removed from the 'in' pontoons at Strathclyde
Park during Scottish Championships - it follows that somebody, somewhere,
has gone home with one cox box more than they started with. If it's
you/your club, could you please contact Bob Neill (see contacts
page, under George Heriots School) to arrange return to the rightful
owner.
1415 hrs: Aberdeen through in Club 4s (BT line
now fully up so I can do 'nearly live' race reports): this was an
excellent race between Aberdeen BC and Thames RC 'A'. Aberdeen took
a 3/4 length lead by the top of the island, with Aberdeen rating
37 and Thames 36. By the car park, Aberdeen had settled to 36 with
Thames now 37 - but Aberdeen's lead out to a full length. At the
enclosures, Aberdeen (35) looked confident leading Thames (36) by
1 1/2 L, although a warning for steering as Aberdeen started their
last push seemed to put ABC off their stride for a few strokes.
They drew out, however, to a 2 length win.
1400 hrs: More superb racing conditions, though
the breeze (such as it is) can’t quite make up its mind whether
to settle to a head or tail.
First Scottish interest today is the Glasgow/Clydesdale double
scull of Ailie Ord and Lindsay Dick, racing University of Bristol.
The result of this was never in doubt, with the Scots taking an
early lead and building to an ‘easily’ verdict.
In Schools & Junior coxed fours, Heriots drew St Neots/Star
Club, the crew which beat them (St Neots silver, Heriots bronze)
in the National Schools Regatta Championship Coxed Fours. Unfortunately,
history repeated itself, with Heriots going out by 1 length.
In Club Quad Sculls, Aberdeen/Castle Semple had a bye in the first
round and raced Rob Roy this lunchtime in the second. Aberdeen cruised
to a 3 length win in the fastest time in the event so far, but there
is also a Marlow quad entered (other half of the draw) which has
so far looked to be keeping a lot in reserve.
In the 2nd round of Open 2x, Glasgow/Clydesdale allowed Reading/Rob
Roy an early advantage before sculling through them to take the
verdict by 2 lengths.
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20 June - from Henley Women's Regatta |
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Henley Women's Regatta: apologies for slow reporting on Friday's
races. Our (ABC 8) race was switched to last of the day so I had
a clash of priorities (and the regatta's press line was down anyway).
Conditions on Friday are superb: clear skies, sunshine and a gentle
crosswind - except that this is a bit gusty round the island making
alignment at the start awkward.
First Scottish crew racing were Robert Gordon University, making
their first appearance at the regatta in college fours: just their
luck to draw one of the strongest universities in British rowing,
Oxford Brookes. The RGU novices rowed boldly, but were beaten by
5 lengths.
Aberdeen BC had a steady rather than spectacular first round against
Newcastle University in club 4s: they took an early 1/4 length at
the end of the island and progressively built this to 2 lengths
at the finish.
St Andrew BC had a real ding-dong battle with City of Peterborough
A in club 4s, but it was Peterborough who went through by 1 1/4
lengths at the finish.
Glasgow Uni Ladies drew Dartmouth Coll (USA) in College 8s and
battled hard against the rather larger American crew. Dartmouth
go through, 1 1/2 lengths.
Edinburgh University had a very different race against University
College London. For once the coach's verdict of 'we stomped on them'
was actually an accurate description - the Edinburgh crew were rating
24 as they paddled through the enclosures en route to their 'easily'
verdict.
Aberdeen BC's third crew at the regatta faced Mortlake Anglian
and Alpha in Club eights, MAA having already won at both Docklands
and Met regattas. The verdict in favour of MAA was 'easily', with
MAA looking well placed for a 'run' in the event. |
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18 June |
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Nithsdale Regatta
draw is now here: an
excellent 208 entries, producing an early 9.00am start to racing.
The host club advise that the local Gala is on the same day, so recommend
that visitors allow at least an extra 15 minutes for navigating the
additional local traffic. |
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17 June |
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Iain
McCallum and Daniel Prescott of Glasgow RC and Stirling RC;
Scottish Champions in J14 double sculls. (Photo by a family
member) |
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Aberdeen
BC/RGUBC's Scottish Champions in Women's Nov 8s: from stroke
Kirsty McDonald, Amanda Hare, Jo Budd, Sarah Taig, Sarah Bearn,
Jennifer Gilmour, Ruth Maxwell and Heather McDonald (cox:
Alison Aiken)(photo: Lyndsay Brackenbury) |
More photos from Scottish Championships: thanks to
those who have been sending them. Events this weekend:
north of the border it's Nithsdale Regatta - haven't
seen a draw yet (can anyone send
me one?), but heard them getting good plugs in commentary at
Scottish Championships so hopefully they will have a good entry.
Meanwhile south of the border it's Henley Women's Regatta,
with a healthy crop of Scottish entries. Full details on the Henley
Women;s Regatta web site, (and
I'll be there reporting all 3 days of the regatta from the 'Scottish
perspective' on this web site).
Look out for Scottish competitors in:
College 4+: Robert Gordon University. Open
1x: Alison Hulme (St Andrew). Club 4+:
Aberdeen BC, St Andrew BC. Lightweight 4-: Aberdeen
University. Club 8: Aberdeen BC. College
8: Glasgow University, Edinburgh University. Open
2x: Glasgow RC/Clydesdale ARC. School/Junior 4+:
George Heriot's School. Club 4x: Aberdeen BC/Castle
Semple RC. School/Junior 1x: Kirsty Myles (George
Watson's College)
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16 June |
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Brilliant
photos from Charlie Simpson of Aberdeen University: above,
their winning Men's 8 receive the trophy from SARA President
Mary Massaro (time was 5:59.6). Crew: Neil Macrae, Colin Binnie,
Ben Lambert, Andreas von Pacinsky und Tenczin, Colin Williamson,
Nick Bird, Tom Hanna, Dave McNeill, Kate Wright (cox). Below:
the 'heavy four' from the eight power towards their win in
Men's Coxed Fours (the 'light' four won the coxless event). |
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Clydesdale
ARC's men's veteran fours champions: Duncan Paterson, Mike
Williamson, Owen McGhee and Andy Dunn (photo from Andy - did
the cox take it?) |
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Scottish
Women's 8s Champions, Castle Semple/Aberdeen BC/Aberdeen University
BC: Elaine Law, Maeve Cunningham, Fiona Insch, Clare Haley,
Fiona Hunter, Jill Beck, Alison Aitken and Melina Bardellotto.
(photo: Andy Dunn) |
Phew, what a scorcher! Scottish Rowing Championships
were blessed with almost perfect weather. No wind at all on Saturday
and a tailwind to contribute to some very fast times on Sunday (including
a sub-6 minute 2000m race). Lots of sunshine both days - and no rain
on either.
Results for Saturday and
Sunday are now here.
Many thanks to the many competitors who volunteered spare time
to act as stake-boat and timing assistants: with your help, the
regatta ran on time.
Thanks to Andy Dunn and Charlie Simpson for the photos so far:
anyone got more they'd be prepared to allow on the web site? Please
e-mail to
me ASAP.
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9 June |
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New
umpires qualify: congratulations
to Scotland's two newest umpires who qualified at the weekend, Martin
Holmes of Castle Semple RC and Ron Wallace of Aberdeen BC
Coaching awards to harmonise across the UK: SARA,
the ARA and WARA have concluded an agreement
whish will see a common coaching award structure and standards across
the three countries, resulting in full mutual recognition of awards.
One new feature will be a requirement for coaches to undertake 'refresher
training' to keep their skills up to date.
The first step is the establishment of a complete current coaching
register: all coaches practicing in Scotland must register with
Callum
Macdonald as soon as possible.
The draw
for Henley Women's Regatta is now up
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5 June |
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Scotland
to host FISA World Masters Regatta in 2005:
FISA, the governing body
of world rowing, today announced that the World Masters Regatta
for 2005 has been awarded to Strathclyde Park, North Lanarkshire.
"Bringing the FISA World Masters Regatta
to Strathclyde Park in 2005 is the high point of a brilliant partnership
between the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association, North Lanarkshire
Council and the representative body of British International Rowing,
the ARA," says SARA president, Mary Massaro.
"Together, we presented a package comprising outstanding technical
facilities, a stunning venue, an experienced regatta team and a
welcoming host community."
The FISA World Masters is the world's largest
rowing regatta. It attracts competitors from all over the world
each year, many of whom bring their families - and valuable tourist
business - to the host area.
Scotland has an exceptional track record in hosting world-class
rowing events. Strathclyde Park, Scotland's international rowing
course, hosted the Commonwealth Games rowing events in 1986, the
FISA World Masters Regatta in 1988, and the FISA World Rowing Championships
in 1996. In 2003, the course will host the Scottish and Scottish
Schools Rowing Championships on 14-15 June and the National Rowing
Championships of Great Britain on 18-20 July.
Di Ellis, Chairman of the ARA, said "This
is wonderful news: Scotland on behalf of Great Britain put together
a first class bid and, following the success of the 1996 World Rowing
Championships at Strathclyde Park, I know they will host a world
class event second to none"
The Strathclyde Park course will see significant upgrade in time
for the FISA World Masters in 2005: the most noticeable change will
be the extension of the 2000m course from 6 lane to 8 lane width.
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Above:
Old Dogs and New Tricks: St Andrew lead Heriot-Watt/Dundee
University in men's eights.