ROSS MASTERS & JUNIOR REGATTA 2017

The racing started early at 8.30am with the WJ15 singles races. Kathryn & Ellie were to discover just how tough the Ross course can be, with a long bend, strong stream and huge staggered finish. Both lost but this gave them the vital experience they needed for success in their later races. Next was Fi & Olive who also were only just beaten. It was only when the boys started racing that our fortunes turned to our favour. Harry & Christian G in the J15 double beating City of Bristol RC ensuring a Staines Vs Staines Final and our first win. After a dramatic Final which had to be stopped and re-rowed it was Harry & Christian G that beat Will & Tyler in the J15 double. However the two crews came together to for a J15 Coxed Quad with Fi Beckh at the helm and formed an Awesome crew that went on to win in the Final easily (in Rowing terms that means more than five boat lengths) congratulations boys, a truly great race. In the afternoon we saw racing in a huge Women's J15 competition. Maddie & Lydia racing first after lunch put in a good performance but were just beaten. Kathryn & Ellie were next up against old rivals from City of Bristol Rowing Club who our girls have raced against in the Final of the British Rowing Junior Championships and also beat the day before at Gloucester Regatta in the Final. This was going to be the key race in the competition for girls. Kathryn & Ellie looked strong from the start and lead all the way to the finish. After this race the girls had two more races winning them both comfortably and winning the event. Well done girls! Others racing were Starsky in the J18 single. Felix in the J16 single. Harry in the J15 single, George W & Christian U & Felix & Tom in the J16 doubles and Felix, Christian U, George W, Tom in the J16 coxless quad sculls. Zara in the Women's J16 single. And Polly in the J12 single who lead her race all the way from the start she was approx. 50 metres from the finish when a freak incident of equipment failure occurred causing a crucial component of her rigging (the pin) to drop off the boat into the water. Polly was stuck in the middle of the course unable to Row with only on blade (oar) to keep her balanced. She kept her cool and didn't capsize. Sadly she lost her race, but if bravery was the measure of this race she would surely be the winner. Well done Polly. This August Bank Holiday weekend racing at Gloucester & Ross Regatta's has been one of our best ever. All of our athletes competing in Finals and many taking home Pots (Rowing tankards) winner prizes. Finally a thank Big THANK YOU to our parents, grand parents, brothers & sisters. All the supporters who can along and cheered our crews on.