| There was only a small entry from Maidenhead Rowing Club as many of the club's juniors are too experienced or have won too many previous events to be eligible, but the club did enter crews in three events. In all three the Maidenhead crews triumphed, making Maidenhead the second most successful club overall. Neighbours Eton Excelsior entered no fewer than nine crews, requiring some considerable boat-sharing coordination on the part of their coaches.
The Maidenhead WJ15 'A' Quad of Rav Rai, Maja Tomasik, Talia Antioco and Polly Dixon, coxed by Lola Harris, won both their first and second races convincingly against Claire's Court School and Great Marlow School to reach the final against Shiplake Vikings who had also look impressive on their way to the final. The final was tight initially but the Maidenhead Crew gradually pulled away to win by 3 lengths - a satisfying result as two of the girls (Maja and Talia) are still WJ14s and have only been rowing for about a year.
Not to be outdone, the WJ13 'B' (2) Quad of Immie Harding, Izzie Bird, Millie Holgate and Olivia Webster with Tilly Norman coxing, never looked remotely like being beaten against two different crews from Lady Eleanor Holles and one from Langley Academy on the way to the final against Great Marlow School - a final that they also dominated.
The Maidenhead J15 'B' crew had a straight final against Langley Academy. Having only three eligible boys, they borrowed Polly Dixon from the girls boat to join James Leatherbarrow, Evan Charles, Ethan Walters and cox Lizzie Sneller for a convincing win. |
|
Claire's Court School, Shiplake Vikings and Henley RC all achieved two wins and Eton Excelsior, Canford and Headington all gained one.
Also in attendance was the Chairman of South Bucks District Council (Maidenhead RC is located on the South Bucks side of the river), Councillor Santokh Chhokar who enjoyed watching the racing from the boat of Club President Paul Lion (once a distinguished junior at the club himself). Councillor Chhokkar, who has been highly supportive of the club's plans to build improved land training facilities, co-presented the prizes along with Olympic gold (Beijing) and silver (London) medallist in the lightweight double sculls, Mark Hunter. At the presentation, Mark recalled how he was inspired to start rowing at the age of 14 (the age of many of the competitors) after watching the 1992 Olympics and emphasised the important role that parents play in encouraging the development of junior rowers.
Mark stayed at the club after the presentation, posing for photos with many of the club's juniors - and the no less enthusiastic Councillor Chhokkar - and answering their questions.
The £100 prize for the most successful club at the regatta, kindly donated by Janet Blogg who, along with her late husband Harold, has been a long standing supporter of junior rowing at Maidenhead, was awarded to Guildford Rowing Club who achieved four wins. |
