Headwinds, heat and hectic racing on day one of the British Rowing Masters Championships
Tideway Scullers School are leading out the race of the Victor Ludorum after the first day of racing in Nottingham
Credit: AllMarkOne
A record-breaking entry paved the way for Saturday’s close racing at the British Rowing Masters Championships, and our competitors didn’t disappoint as they descended on Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham.
Narrow margins were par for the course, with a fierce headwind adding to the challenge. Medals and places were hotly contested throughout the waves of racing – in the Women’s 50+ Eights saw a battle for third place so fierce that 0.02 seconds separated 3rd and 4th place. It was Evesham RC that took the medal over Chesterton RC in a time of 05:06.36, with composites of Aberdeen BC, Star Club and Walton RC taking gold and Bedford RC and Star Club in second place.
In the Mixed G Quadruple Sculls, it was a win for a composite of Kingston RC and Nottingham and Union RC. Broxbourne RC took silver with a crew including Trish and Quintin McKellar, parents of Olympic bronze medallist Rowan McKellar who lent her name to the boat they raced in.
International pedigree wove a thread through today’s competitors. In the smaller boats, former GB squad rower Robert Milligan (Poplar Blackwall & District RC), who raced for the Team at the 1977 World Rowing Championships, took gold in the Open H Single Sculls. Mark Venn donned his old university colours to represent Exeter University Alumni Boat Club in the same race, cheered on by former crewmate and volunteer John Mulholland, with whom he won a medal racing on the same water in 1973.
Inspirational stories continued into the day when Eyde put her newly-obtained Club Coach Qualification to use as she cheered her own coach Ash Cowley to victory in the Mixed B Double Sculls. Kate and Chris Ware retained their Championship title when they took gold over Exeter RC in the Mixed D Double Sculls.
“We had a fantastic race. We were really pushed and conditions were a little tricky at the start, but we managed to get our nose in front at about halfway and hang on. So credit to the Exeter RC crew that pushed us all the way!”
When asked if they’d go for three wins next year, Chris said; “if she’ll race with me!”. Kate said she could be persuaded.
Commenting on the racing, Organising Committee Chair Chris Anton said: “Today’s conditions proved challenging for all, but a great team effort from all of our volunteers ensured that our last race finished on time. We’re happy to be able to offer those competitors who missed out on racing today the chance to compete tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to another great day of racing.”
Tallying up Saturday’s scores, Tideway Scullers School are firmly in pole position for the £1,000 Victor Ludorum prize, sponsored by Faster Masters Rowing. Kingston RC and London RC are also going into Sunday’s racing in a strong position, but with plenty more points (and bigger boats!) to race tomorrow, it’s still anyone’s game..
