Posted: March 13, 2017

Scottish rowers shone as the 77th Women’s Head of the River Race, the largest of its kind in the world, took place on Saturday from Mortlake to Putney in London.  Beginners to Olympic medallists featured amongst the 296 women’s eights that took to the start line on the Tideway looking to make waves and set down a marker for the season ahead.

The quickest crew of the day was Leander Club (Elite), featuring Edinburgh-born Olympic silver medallist from Rio 2016, Karen Bennett, who took the headship in 18:13.1 with a margin of just over 4 seconds from Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club (Elite, University), who took the opportunity to field a potential Blue Boat, including Scotland’s Melissa Wilson, ahead of the upcoming University Boat Race on the same waters.

Edinburgh University Boat Club A (Senior, University) were the fastest finishing Scottish club over the course, coming home in a club record 8th position overall in a time of 19:02.1, just under a second ahead of CUS Milano from Italy, who were the fastest overseas crew.  Glasgow University Boat Club A (Intermediate) also enjoyed a club record performance coming home in 20th position in 19:35.5.

There was an impressive row from Edinburgh’s St Andrew Boat Club who took the pennants for Novice (Club) and Small Club, after finishing in 68th from a starting position of 244th in a time of 20:26.6.  Other Scottish clubs stepping onto the winners’ podium included Strathclyde Park Rowing Club, who were represented by Ailie Ord and Gillian Connal in a multi-club composite that took the Masters pennant finishing 38th overall in a handicapped time of 19:25.8.

Elsewhere other Scots to enjoy success included Emma McDonald and Claire McKeown in Molesey Boat Club A (Senior, Club) who won the Club pennant following a 5th place finish overall in a time of 18:52.8 and Georgina Grandfield in Tideway Scullers School A (Intermediate, Club) who finished 10th overall in 19:04.1 to take the Intermediate pennant.

View the full results from the 77th Women’s Head of the River Race