Evesham girls are National Champions

Posted on March 3, 2008 | Filed under Rowing

Evesham Rowing Club is celebrating after its womens’ junior 16 coxless quad won one of the most prestigious events in the rowing calendar. The National Junior Scullers Head of the River held at Henley-on-Thames, attracts hundreds of crews from all over the country, including the top rowing schools such as Lady Eleanor Holles and Dame Alice Harpur.

The Evesham girls, who reached the final of last year’s National Schools Regatta but just missed out on medals, are determined to make a name for themselves on the national scene this year and have made a good start with a stunning row over the 3km Henley course.

Conditions were far from ideal. The girls were rowing into a strong headwind which made it all the more important to have a strong steady sculler in the stroke position. Ruth Whyman at stroke made a good impression keeping her cool in conditions that would have made lesser rowers rush into the wind. Her tactics paid off and she contained the rate, making good progress over the course. She was backed up by Yasmin Tredell in the number 3 seat and Chloe Bryan at number two – both very powerful rowers. Steering the boat from the bow seat was Coleen Penrose who steered a clever line, staying as close to the bank as possible – and avoiding the strong current in the middle of the river. Despite a near clash with another crew the girls rowed powerfully through to the finish and notched up a time of 12.45.7 – 16 seconds ahead of their nearest rivals from Maidenhead.

The club’s J14 boys rowed competently in their coxed quad race and notched up fifth place in a time of 13.5.9. The J14 girls – rowing in their first national event – rowed to a creditable 10th place (out of 30 crews), while the J15 boys managed 16th place, despite being hampered by illness in the crew.

Evesham’s junior section is now aiming for selection at Regional Trials to represent the West Midlands at the annual National Inter-regional Regatta in April.

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