Day one at the 2026 British Rowing Masters Championships: Rivals united and World Class crews as the Victor Ludorum takes shape
Gusty conditions saw fantastic racing, team spirit and inspirational competition on the first day of two in Nottingham
AllMarkOne
Saturday, 13 June 2026 in Nottingham started with windy Eliminators, as 1027 competitors from 134 clubs descended on Holme Pierrepont Country Park for the British Rowing Masters Championships. Our thanks go to all of our stakeboat holders for keeping calm under slightly challenging conditions, as both Intermediate and Championship crews lined up to determine which finals they would race.
This year the Championship Victor Ludorum prize money of £1,000 (sponsored by Faster Masters Rowing) will be divided between the best large, medium and small clubs entered, giving every club the opportunity to go for victory.
“Rowing keeps you focussed, pushing, trying harder and finding where your own personal limits are”
At close of play on Saturday, Tideway Scullers School head into tomorrow’s racing with a significant lead in the overall Victor Ludorum. Walton Rowing Club hold second place, with Monmouth Rowing Club in third.
The British Rowing Masters Championships boasts high quality competition at every age group – including the Open Championship C Double Sculls, where the ‘Red Express [link]’ of 2010 World Rowing silver medallists Marcus Bateman and Matthew Wells won both their eliminator and final race. It was the crew’s first race together in a Double since 2011, and this time they were in the black and yellow striped kit of Avon Country Rowing Club, not the iconic hoops of Great Britain.
Finishing ahead of Rob Roy RC and Ardingly RC, Matt commented: “It’s completely different from last time, you know. We’re enjoying what we’re doing. Just taking each little challenge as it comes and enjoying it.”
Matt and Marcus weren’t the only fierce competitors at the competition. For Jacqueline Easton (Marlow Rowing Club), today was a day to race against longtime rival Anne Grainger (Wallingford RC). In the Women’s G Single Sculls Anne lead Jacqueline across the line for gold and silver respectively.
“Returning to rowing again, the person I kept noticing was Jacq,” said Anne. “We have similar backgrounds – rowing, then career, then wham – back to the top of the charts in Masters. So obviously we had to row together.”
“Rowing keeps you focussed, pushing, trying harder and finding where your own personal limits are,” added Jacqueline. The two will race together in a double tomorrow.
The oldest competitor to race at the British Rowing Masters Championships was Ray Green from BTC Southampton. Aged 85, Green picked up a bronze medal in the Open J-K Single Sculls. Roger Mears of Lea Rowing Club won the gold medal, and Richard Mathieson of Aberdeen Rowing Club completed the podium with silver.
Julie Sharp from Gloucester Rowing Club said ”I got through those choppy conditions, it wasn’t the easiest race!” as she secured a bronze medal in the Women’s C Single Sculls.
In one of the closest races of the day, the Open 65+ Eights saw Marlow Rowing Club win in a time of 3:51.98, just 0.34 seconds ahead of Tideway Scullers. Suspense built as the photo finish was analysed, and sounds of celebrations spread across the boat park as Marlow were announced as the winners.
The Women’s Intermediate 36+ Eight saw a dominant performance from Milton Keynes Rowing Club as they crossed the line, making nothing of the conditions, crossing the line 13.82 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
Credit: AllMarkOne
You could’ve thrown a blanket over the Women’s E Quadruple Sculls medallists, with just over a second between Eton Excelsior Rowing Club in gold, Walton Rowing Club in silver and Bedford Rowing Club in Bronze. Far from being disappointed after such a hard fight, Bedford were happy with their progress through this season on the medal podium.
Ally Cox in stroke said; “The race was hot – a great side by side battle all the way down the course. Two weeks ago Eton Excelsior beat us at Peterborough Regatta by five seconds, so to be in a dead heat with them, we’re pleased with that. Tracey in the Walton crew races with me in the Oxford Veterans Squad – the event is brilliant. But could we go on the not-windy day next year!”
Credit: AllMarkOne
The penultimate race of the day was another incredibly close finish, as the Women’s Intermediate 36+ Coxed Fours, where gold and silver were separated on the finish line by 0.99 seconds. Bristol Ariel Rowing Club took the win over Ross Rowing Club, with Milton Keynes Rowing Club in third place.
James Lee, Head of Events and Competitions reflected on the day; “We’ve seen great racing today despite the challenging conditions. There were amazing races across the wide spread of age categories. A huge thank you to the volunteers who have helped us to run a fantastic first day at the British Rowing Masters Championships”
