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page visits since
1 January 2003
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.
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
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)
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 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.
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1330
hrs 
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.
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)
