Thanks to Alex for this week’s report from the Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club. Ed
The club’s strong J16 squad attended in force. In the Men’s J16 Fours, Shanklin A raced Shanklin B for a spot in the final. The A boat of Jaimey Wain, Charlie Parkes, Henry Gove, Matthew Jeacock (Ryde RC) and cox Anja Bennett beat the B crew of Andrew Swallow, Richard Pitman, Will Allsopp, Sam Mabey and cox Garry Walters.
In the final the A boat managed to get second place, a great result from only their third race!
In the girl’s J16 fours, Sophie Swallow, Hannah Cusworth, Amber de Landro, Rebecca Nigh and cox Anja Bennett had their best row of the season, narrowly losing to eventual winners Christchurch.
In the J16 sculls, Shanklin once again had two boats in the same race.
Hannah Cusworth and Rebecca Nigh racing in their first single sculls event of the year, missed out to the eventual event winner BTC, but a close race between the two saw Rebecca take a one length victory.
In the boy’s J16 sculls, Harry Miselbach won this heat convincingly, before leading for the majority of his final with a fearless performance. In a close race for the finish, Harry’s lead was snatched by BTC in the last twenty metres. An agonising end to the race, but very promising for Harry, who had not trained in the single leading up to the event.
Strong opposition
In the Men’s Junior Four, Shanklin once again faced strong opposition in the shape of second place championship crew Southampton. The crew featured changes too. Nevertheless, Joe Robertson, Henry Gove, Sam Miselbach, Harry Miselbach and cox Anja Bennett gave the Southampton crew a run for their money, and eventually lost by only two lengths.
The club edged ever closer to championship victories, taking both the Men’s Junior Pairs and Men’s Junior Sculls wins for the third regatta in a row. After a comfortable heat victory, the Men’s Junior Pair of Joe Murray and Alex Robertson (pictured) had a very tight race with Southampton, but came out on top, winning by one length and needing just one win from five races to take their championship.
Alex’s Junior Sculls championship is in the same condition, after a closely contested heat, Alex raced his final just ten minutes after his pairs race. After trailing for the majority of the race, Alex rowed through Coalporters after the buoy turn and eventually took a two length win.
The regatta was a great showing of both the clubs ability to perform at the high levels of championship events, but also to introduce racing to younger members.
The club next race at Newport Regatta on the 12th and 13th.
Image: Joe Murray and Alex Robertson (Junior Pair Winners)
