Thanks to James for this latest report from the Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club. Ed
Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club, sponsored by Advanced Automotive, had triple winning success at the annual Hants & Dorset ARA Woolston Regatta in Southampton on Saturday 20th June.
The day started with Novice scullers Harry Miselbach and Joe Evans-Murray both winning in their respective qualifying heats to meet in the Finals. It was in this six-boat final that saw Harry and Joe out in front fighting for first place. Disaster struck when Harry capsized 500 metres from the finish, but Joe was in full control to take a superb win over the chasing finalists. Joe has now been promoted to Junior Status in the Sculls.
Choppy sea conditions
Shanklin J16 girls Juliette Wrixon, Daisy Faithfull, Amber De Landro, Sophie Swallow (Stroke) and cox Hannah Cusworth were in the combined ten boat final with Shanklin J16 boys Jamie Gamble, Stefan Drews, Liam Nigh, Andrew Swallow (Stroke) and cox Anja Bennett.
The girls rowed very well in the choppy sea conditions and forged their way ahead the opposing crews to take the win over the other J16 girl’s crews. Not only that, they also beat the majority of the J16 boys as well, which was a fantastic performance and gave the club their second win of the day.
The Men’s Novice A crew of Jamie Gamble, Henry Gove, Jaimey Wain, Henry Mudge (Stroke) and cox Anja Bennett secured their place in the final after an impressive performance in their heat.
They were later drawn in the middle lane six for the final. They had a superb start and were level with a number of crews on the buoy turns, where they had a fight on their hands to the finish line against a determined Poole crew.
It was an excellent battle provoking lots of support from the crowd and the Shanklin crew managed to defeat the Poole crew by a canvas! This is the first Hants & Dorset Regatta win for this young crew and now turns them into Junior status oarsmen. This gave the club their third win of the day!
Held up on buoy turn
Shanklin Ladies Novice A crew of Juliette Wrixon, Hannah Cusworth, Amber De Landro, Sophie Swallow (Stroke) and cox Jaimey Wain rowed well in their final but sadly were held up on their buoy turn, forcing them to play catch up for the remainder of the race. They managed to recover well on the return leg to take the 3rd podium finish.
The Men’s Senior Pair of Alex Robertson and Joe Evans-Murray (Stroke) newly promoted to this status in 2015 had a tough race against more experienced senior oarsmen. After having both already raced in other events and suffering a re-row in this final they eventually finished just outside the podium spots.
Alex also rowed in the Men’s Senior Sculls final where he rowed an excellent course to take a third place finish.
The Men’s Junior A Four of Joe Robertson, Matt Miselbach, Harry Hopper, Harry Miselbach and Anja Bennett (Cox) qualified for their final later in the day. They rowed well but were unable to keep up with the race leaders and came in at fifth place.
To end the day Anja Bennett from Newport Rowing club won “Cox of the Day” award for her part in coxing the crews. Well done Anja.
Thanks again to our sponsors Advanced Automotive for keeping our minibus up together enabling us to continue attending these mainland regattas.
