Arklow team shine
Rowers do county proud in Hong Kong
ARKLOW ROWING CLUB’S performances at the World Rowing Coastal Championships will live long in the memory of those who made the journey and those who watched on with keen interest from these shores over the course of a few days last week.
The adventure began last Friday with all Arklow crews (nine rowers) who competed in heats at the event in Hong Kong progressing to the ‘A’ and ‘B’ finals on the Sunday.
First up was Alan Goodison and John Whooley in the Men’s Doubles who had a dramatic road to the ‘A’ final.
They were in fourth, a qualifying position, for most of the race until a collision resulted in them dropping down to seventh place.
They rallied to finish in sixth position and with only one sixth place out of three heats progressing into the ‘A’ final, it was a long wait, but they have made the ‘A’ final.
It was a great day for the women’s singles also with all three Arklow girls making it through to the ‘A’ finals, while all five Irish Womens Singles competing making it through to Sunday.
In the first heat, Síonna Healy (IRL01) finished fourth following a collision and Mary Ann Kent (IRL06) finished eighth in what was the fastest and toughest of the two heats. Xena Jordan (IRL04) finished in sixth place shortly after in the second heat.
Xena was the youngest competitior in the ladies singles at 19.
This was her first championships so to qualify for the final was a superb achievement for the young rower.
On Saturday, it was the turn of the Womens Doubles with Mary Goodison and Andrea Kinsella and Debbie Reid and Tilly Jordan competing in their heat.
Mary Kinsella and Andrea Kinsella (IRL02) came in 11th place following a clash at the start line but did well to recover.
Debbie Reid and Tilly Jordan (IRL03) put in a great performance also, finishing in 13th place.
Both crews progressed into the ‘B’ finals on Sunday morning with Mary and Andrea finishing fourth and Debbie and Tilly finishing closely behind in fifth.
Alan Goodison and John Whooley came home in 13th position in the Men’s Double ‘A’ final.
The last of the Arklow crews competing on Sunday were the three athletes in the Women’s Singles, Síonna Healy, Xena Jordan and Mary Ann Kent with Síonna finishing in seventh, Xena in 12th and Mary Ann in 16th.