North West Universities first indoor rowing championships
Chester University hosted the first North West Universities Championship on 2nd December, when just over 50 rowers from Chester, Bangor and Manchester University boat clubs raced in heats and finals.
The event, which was held in Chester at Grosvenor Rowing Club, home to Chester University’s Boat Club, ran with 500m heats, for ranking into finals raced over 2000m
Races where held in Beginner Men and Women categories, and Senior Lightweight and Heavyweight Men and Women.
The Clubs also had the chance to race in mixed teams of two male and female members racing over 2000m, with each member racing 500m. This made for some interesting tactical orders!
The overall winning University was Bangor, who won 5 events, Chester and Manchester each winning one event.
Fastest time of the day was from the Bangor Universities Mixed Senior team, who posted a time of 06:31.5, pipping Chester’s A team by a touch under 3 seconds.
Some close racing in the Women’s Beginner race had Manchester’s C. Blore winning in style by 16 seconds, with the next five rowers finishing within 5 seconds of each other.
Chester University Boat Club, which has been supported by a British Rowing C&C coach over the last year, is looking to continue the success of this event, and they are already planning for next year.
The Club was the University Club of the Year, and has seen a dramatic growth from one of the smallest sport clubs, to one of the biggest based at the Chester campus over the course of the year.
Many congratulations to all involved – download the results here
Dan Hetherington
British Rowing Team Leader
North West
