Mortlake Women win at the Parliamentary Boat Races
The club's senior women's squad were invited to race in this year's Parliamentary Boat Races, an annual event sponsored by Siemens to raise awareness of our sport and raise money among MPs for charity.
 
The races took place between Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge followed by a row past the terrace of the Houses of Parliament before landing at the Black Rod steps and attending a reception and prize giving on the terrace.  Our first 8+ from the Women's Head of the River reformed to race against a crew from Vesta RC who recently won the intermediate 8+s event at Women's Henley.  The Mortlake crew (on the Middlesex / Westminster station), despite severely bending the fin before the race start whilst boating, edged away from Vesta over the sprint course of approximately 600m to win by almost a length, both crews having to deal with swirls under the bridges and some choppy conditions.
 
The women's race was followed by a men's race between London RC and Thames RC, with London taking the win.  The finale was a race between a Commons 8+ against a Lords 8+ with a decisive win for the Commons!  London Youth Rowing athletes were unfortunately unable to race due to the rough conditions.
 
The reception that followed allowed an opportunity for MPs to chat to the competing rowers and some members of the GB squad, who were also in attendance, and find out a bit more about our sport followed by speeches and a prizegiving.
 
The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all the athletes and was a very positive day for our club.  Thanks to Ian Roots for organising the considerable logistics involved.

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