Thames Upriver retains overall titles at Junior Inter-Regional Regatta 2023
Sun and calm waters greeted junior competitors for a full day of racing at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham
Thames Upriver (represented by Hinksey Sculling School) celebrate a win in the W J15 2x. Credit: AllMarkOne
Racing started at 9:30 on Saturday, 22 April with the Open Junior Adaptive Single Sculls, during which scullers from the Thames Upriver, North West and West Midlands raced over a 1,000m course. The adaptive event was offered for the second time at the JIRR and is an area that the Organising Committee is keen to continue to grow.
The first gold of the day went to the North West (King’s School Chester), with silver taken by Thames Upriver (Marlow RC) and bronze going to the West Midlands, represented by Stratford-upon-Avon BC.
“The alarm clock went off just before 5am, we were so excited to come up and be a part of it,” said the father of the Marlow silver medallist. “No matter what you call it, it’s just inclusivity, feeling like you’re part of the crew.”
The West Midlands (represented by Stratford-Upon-Avon BC) take bronze in the Open Junior Adaptive Single Sculls. Credit: AllMarkOne
It’s really important to the boys and girls to feel part of the community. Marlow RC do an extraordinary job of it – without the support from the club none of this would happen. A massive thanks also to British Rowing for understanding the power of positivity and of making people feel welcome.”
Racing over the 1,500m course then came thick and fast as all crews took part in heats in the morning, with the fastest six crews progressing to A Finals, and the rest racing in B Finals in the afternoon.
Early results put the North West in with a chance for the Victor Ludorum, but Thames Upriver came through in force towards the end of the racing, putting them as overall winners of the Boys, Girls and Total Victor Ludorum standings. Other high scorers included Thames London and the West Midlands.
Victores Ludorum Results
| Overall Ranking | Men’s Events | Women’s Events |
|---|---|---|
| Thames Upriver | Thames Upriver | Thames Upriver |
| Thames London | North West | Thames London |
| North West | Thames London | West Midlands |
- Overall Ranking :
- Thames Upriver
- Men’s Events :
- Thames Upriver
- Women’s Events:
- Thames Upriver
- Overall Ranking :
- Thames London
- Men’s Events :
- North West
- Women’s Events:
- Thames London
- Overall Ranking :
- North West
- Men’s Events :
- Thames London
- Women’s Events:
- West Midlands
Meanwhile, the Martin Humphrys JP Cup (a competition between regions who placed between 7th and 12th at last year’s competition) was shared by the East Midlands and WAGS & Wales. The East Midlands had high placings from Nottingham & Union RC and Bedford School BC in the J15 Coxed Four events, and a win in the J 16 Women’s Double Sculls from Nottingham County RA.
WAGS & Wales took the second gold medal of the day with a win in the J15 Open Single Sculls from Wycliffe College BC, and City of Bristol RC, Monmouth School BC and Gloucester Rowing Club all secured medals later in the day.
Thames London (represented by Surbiton High School BC) take home the CUWBC Rose Bowl in the W J16 Eights. Credit: AllMarkOne
The CUWBC Rose Bowl for top Women’s J16 Eight was won by Thames London and Surbiton High School BC. Silver went to Thames Upriver with Wallingford Boat Club, and King’s School Chester BC took home the bronze medal for the North West.
The final event of the day was the J16 Eights, where the Eastern region (represented by Bedford School Boat Club) took home gold and the Nigel Smith Claret Jug in the open category. They were followed by Thames Upriver, with a composite of Windsor Boys’ School BC and Great Marlow School BC, and Thames London, represented by King’s College School, Wimbledon BC.
Deputy Chair of the Organising Committee, and Olympic silver medallist Jess Eddie was impressed by the calibre of the racing. “Junior Inter-Regional Regatta is such an important race for so many young juniors. A lot of the national team members have certainly started their multi-lane racing here, and for some it’s the first big race of their junior careers.”
Credit: AllMarkOne
“A lot of these rowers have trialled to get into this position, and to come here and represent their own region against other regions is huge. It’s really exciting to see the culmination of all of these athlete’s hard work, and we hope they are encouraged to come back again next year.”
Many of these competitors will be racing in upcoming competitions including the Junior Sculling Regatta and the National Schools’ Regatta, and we hope to see them all again at the British Rowing Junior Championships which will take place 14-16 July 2023 at Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, Scotland.
