Rainy spells and close calls on day two at the British Rowing Club Championships

The rain didn’t keep the excitement on the course away on the second day of racing at the British Rowing Club Championships

The Women’s J18 Eights Final offered an early battle down the track – only 0.5 seconds separating the top three crews, with Marlow RC coming out on top.

Not wanting to be left out, the Women’s Club Eight final also provided a tight fight to the line with only 0.3 seconds separating the medaling crews: Auriol Kensington RC, Sudbury RC, and Cambridge University BC.

Elena Pope, who was sitting in the six seat in the victorious Auriol Kensington RC crew, reflected on the race and the crew’s season: “Winning feels amazing, having the medal around my neck and also being given a dryrobe is a great way to end the day. We’ve been building our experience throughout the season, and we’ve had some good races. I’m super proud of the girls, we can’t wait for next year!”

Representing the third place crew, Gemma King, president of Cambridge University BC, said: “It’s great that the crew have medalled, as it’s the first time racing on a course like this for a few of them. They raced hard, and I’m very proud of them.”

It was a second gold for Quinn Moseley from Durham Amateur RC, who claimed the J18 Single Sculls win during Friday’s racing. Racing in his own age category, he won Saturday’s J16 Single Sculls in style. Smiling on the medal pontoon, Quinn said: “I was very tired after yesterday, but it was a very good race. I’m really happy to come away with two medals. I’ve put a lot of work in, and it’s nice to see it pay off. I’m looking forward to some rest now!”

“I’ve only been rowing for ten months, so to be coming to a competition like this one and winning a medal means a lot.”

Quinn’s coach, Martin Tyler, said: “I couldn’t be more proud. It’s been a hard journey, but he’s had a fantastic season. He won GB vs France last weekend, he got a silver in the National Schools competition two weeks ago, although he’s two years below that age group. We’re very much looking forward to the U19 programme next year. I just need to push him on; he’s very keen to learn. A super athlete with very supportive parents. The whole club is very proud of him.”

In another Single Sculls event, Dom Hartley from Nottingham RC secured the Open Beginner win on home water. “I feel better now than I did when I went over the finish line, as I’ve managed to get my breath back!” Dom, an athlete on the East Midlands Performance Development Academy, started rowing in November. “I’ve only been rowing for ten months, so to be coming to a competition like this one and winning a medal means a lot. It showcases the amazing work of the GB Performance Development Academy, to develop me.”

In the Women’s Club Quadruple Sculls, Warrington RC finished in first, but all eyes were on the fight for second. Nottingham RC and Nottinghamshire County RC faced a photo finish result – with the win going to Nottingham RC.

In the Open J18 Double Sculls, Windsor Boys School BC once again continued their history of medalling in this event. Head Coach Mark Wilkinson was exceedingly proud of the crew.

“It feels glorious to be back and see more competitors in the Mixed Champ Eight event, raising the standard.”

“Both Adam and Arjun are in Upper Sixth. They’ve been rowing for five years, and they’ve been utterly outstanding. Adam was in our second boat at Henley this year, and Argen was in our eight. They’ve been highly supportive of the rest of the club and focused on their own training and targets. It’s their last Brit Champs – and an incredible way to finish.”

Eights closed out the second day of racing. In the Mixed Championship Eights, Thames RC defended their title. Repeating her win from last year, Women’s Captain Rosa Millard was thrilled crossing the line. “It feels glorious to be back and see more competitors in this event, raising the standard. It’s been a year since I’ve been in the Mixed Eight! We were faster than last year, and a bit more prepared. A few of us are returners from last year’s win – we’ve got that returning spirit!”

Hot on their heels came the Open J18 Eights and Open Club Eights. Claires Court BC took the win in the junior event over local rivals Reading Blue Coat School BC – Leeds RC took the bronze medal. “We were pretty even at the 500m, then we slowly pulled away and got better and better through the race. This is our second session as a full crew, in a brand new boat to see how fast we can go!”

It was a nail-biting final in the final race of the day, as Hereford secured gold medals in the Open, as the sun eventually came out to end a jam-packed day of racing. Cox Lucy Head said: “We stuck to our race plan and when we needed it, we responded to the push from City of Cambridge RC. We got silver last year in the Club Eights, so we’ve come back next year and nailed it to get that gold medal. Let’s wait and see if we can defend next year!”

The Championships continues tomorrow and day 3 will see boat classes including women’s beginner single sculls, and women’s and open club coxed fours.

Catch up on today’s racing on Champs Live!