Eastern and Thames Upriver East jointly win Victor Ludorum at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta

Sunshine, smiles and calm conditions met competitors at this year’s Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, supported by Swift Racing UK

This year’s Junior Inter-Regional Regatta took place on an idyllic day in April, with sunny skies and calm waters at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottingham.

Victor Ludorum Results and Trophies

The 2026 Overall Victor Ludorum (the Di Ellis Shield) was won jointly by the Eastern Region, and by the newly formed Thames Upriver East. The regions split the Girls and Boys overall trophies, with Eastern winning the Girls and Thames Upriver East winning the boys.

The Eastern region also took home the Barbara Wilson Cup for Single Sculling events.

The Martin Humphrys Cup for highest-placing team out of those which placed 7th to 14th last year was won by the Yorkshire region.

Thames London were awarded the Nigel Smith Claret Jug for winning gold in the Boy’s J16 Eights, with the CUWBC Rose Bowl for Girl’s J16 Eights going to Thames London West.

The Girl’s J16 Eights was an incredible kick off eights racing at JIRR with Thames London West, Thames Upriver West and Thames Upriver Central racing each other down to the line. Surbiton Rowing Club won gold on behalf of Thames London West, and for Claire, whose daughter Izzy was in the crew, it was a second gold in the family after her youngest won the Girl’s J14 Double Sculls.

Credit: Tabitha Cooper

“It’s been a tremendous day today. The girls work so, so hard, as well as all the parents and the coaches who help them. It’s great to see all the clubs bond together in the region – usually they are competing against each other. My youngest is here with Walton Rowing Club and my eldest is here with Surbiton, so it’s lovely for them to be able to race on the same team! It’s a shared experience, they’ll make friends for life.”

Last year, Eimear  of the North West became the first ever blind rower to race at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta. Last year she won bronze in the Girls Adaptive Single Sculls, today she brought home a gold medal in the same category. “I think my race went well,” Eimear said. “Obviously I managed to get a good start and that sort of executed what I’d planned to do and I made changes to my steering when I was told to. My coach tells me through the radio right or left, rather than green or red for stroke and bow. I’m planning to take a gap year so I can focus on rowing, see how far I can take that.”

Head Coach for Leeds RC Rob Mackenzie was happy with the progress Yorkshire have made in the last few years. “It’s fantastic being here. Three years ago, I think Leeds only had four crews or two crews out of the whole Yorks region, and now we’ve come with 12 for the past two years. We like being able to support the whole region as much as we can so we can step up as a whole group.”

Event Chair Luke Dillon said: “It’s been fantastic seeing the largest ever number of athletes competing at JIRR. As always these teams could not be here without the dedication of the coaches, parents and especially the team managers. Conditions have allowed for some amazing racing and we look forward to seeing many of you back next year.”

Today couldn’t have been possible without the support of our event volunteers. Volunteer Manager Fiona Rennie said: “What a day it’s been at JIRR. The sunshine, the spirit, the smiles on the kids’ faces, and a huge thanks to the volunteers who made that happen. It’s just so fantastic to watch the response we get, and that wouldn’t happen without all your input. So thank you very much.”

Find full results on our website