First off in the qualifier time trial on Friday were the 8. This new look crew had a 26 year age gap between the youngest – 19 year old Chloe – and mum of three Rebecca. They had done well at the Met on the Sunday and we had high hopes for them. The crew were announced as qualifying. – but the draw showed them next racing London A – favourites to win the event overall. London duly dispatched our girls and went on to win the final comfortably. Next up for our girls 8 is Henley Royal Regatta and the Wargrave.
Following on were the 4x. This crew had been re-jigged after the Met and we didnt know what to hope for. They looked great racing down the course and duly qualified – with the draw showing they had likely been seeded as a top 4 crew (subsequently confirmed as 3rd). They lived up to this seeding, beating Twickenham on Friday pm and Furnivall on Saturday. Sunday in the semi finals they had a close, but ultimately unsuccessful, battle with Marlow. Next for them is Henley Royal Regatta and the new event for club quads – the Danesfield.
Our 4- were an even newer look crew – who swapped into the 4- from the 4x after the Met. This change proved a success and they also went comfortably through qualifiers, before losing to Vesta in the next round. The girls will swap one blade back for two and Henley Royal Regatta – also aiming for the club quads event (there being no event for club 4-).
Jen Bailey had barely raced in her single since agonisingly losing in the HWR final two years ago – and decided to have another crack at it this year. Alas this time it didnt work out so well and, after qualifying and then comfortably winning her first round, she was rowed through on the line in the quarter final. Jen will now be racing her 1x in the Princes Royal Challenge at Henley Royal Regatta – a premier event and a tough one to qualify in.
Hilary