Thanks to Alex for this report from Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club. Ed
The day started with the club being delayed by the Island car ferry and further transport delays on the mainland.
Thankfully the regatta officials agreed to delay the first events of the day in order for the club to race the events!
Kicking off with the J16 Fours
After the initial rushing and worrying, Shanklin boated three fours crews for its first events of the day, the J16 Fours.
In the first of two races, the mixed Four of Daisy Faithful, Sophie Swallow, Will Allsop, Sam Mabey and cox Anja Bennett raced alongside the boys crew of Rydes Ben Toms, Richard Pitman, Henry Gove, Tom Leaver and cox Harry Miselbach. Both crews rowed excellently, with the mixed crew finishing in first place in their event and the boys finishing fifth in their field of high quality crews.
Second place for J16 girls
The following race featured the J16 girls of Juliette Wrixon, Hannah Cusworth, Amber de Landro, Rebecca Nigh and cox Sophie Wrixon.
The girls had a slow start, but quickly rowed through the field and were chasing down the leading Christchurch crew, in a very close finish the girls were second, just a length off the Dorset crew.
Tough challenge for Men’s Junior Four
The clubs Men’s Junior Four once again faced a tough challenge in order to make their final, with a very tough heat featuring two previous race winners.
Despite this the crew featuring Joe Robertson, Matt Miselbach, Harry Hopper, Harry Miselbach and cox Sophie Wrixon headed into their turn alongside the leaders. The crew slipped away on the return leg, but a big push at the finish placed them third in the heat, only a length off making their final.
Gripping Championship events
The club’s two championship events further added to the stress of Shanklin’s day!
In the Men’s Junior Pair, Alex Robertson and Joe Murray took a comfortable heat, before leading the final, coming out of the buoy turn. What they had failed to see amongst the many pleasure boats littering the course was the second place Westover pair chasing the Shanklin duo down.
To the horror of the on looking supporters, it looked like Shanklin might get unknowingly rowed through, but thankfully line came too soon for Westover and the Shanklin pair took a two length win and further extended their championship lead to 5-1.
Excitement in the Men’s Junior Sculls race
Alex then had his fair share of excitement in his Men’s Junior Sculls event. The championship leader was squeezed in by the Lymington sculler on the inside lane off the start, the resulting clashing of blades sent the right hand blade of the championship leader from Shanklin flying out of his hand and caused him to capsize.
The race was halted and Robertson was able to re-row and win his heat. In the quickly flattening conditions for his final, Robertson had a good start, but faced tough opposition on their more favorable flat water.
Despite this, Robertson closed in one the leading Christchurch sculler on the outside lane on the return leg and with two hundred metres to go pushed to the line to take a two length win. This extends his championship lead now to 4-1-1.
Record wins for 2014
Despite the stress of the day, Shanklin came away with three wins, their most this year. With some other promising results in the fours events the club came away very happy with the results and now look forward to their next regatta at Itchen in Southampton.
Image: Joe Murray (left) Alex Robertson (right)
