Four medals for Loughborough
HOT sunshine and an idyllic setting on the River Trent produced four outright wins for crews from Loughborough Boat Club at the weekend’s Burton Regatta.
The event was one of the first to be run under British Rowing’s new personal ranking system, which is aimed at ensuring that crews are more likely to compete against opponents of similar ability, in multi round knockout format.
The success of the new scheme was apparent, with many close finishes enhancing the quality of the racing.
Loughborough’s Open Men’s Coxed Four found themselves competing in the final of their event against a youthful Leicester crew 25 years their junior - a big change from their normal ‘Masters’ opponents.
A blistering start by Loughborough left the youngsters trailing by a length but this early advantage was gradually eroded as Leicester fought back to draw alongside; however, some motivational coxing by Loughborough’s Rachel Driver enabled Club Captain Keith Hudson rowing in the stroke seat to lift his experienced crew to a narrow victory.
The new format saw mother and daughter Vicky and Matilda Haines competing in opposite halves of the draw for Women’s Coxless Pairs and a family showdown in the final was only narrowly thwarted when Vicky and her crew member Emma Heygate succumbed by a canvas to Bradford Amateur Rowing Club in the semi-final.
However, Matilda and partner Hannah Ferris gained the bragging rights by a one length victory over the Bradford pair in the final, confirming this young Loughborough crew’s continued development in this most demanding of boat types.
Loughborough Ladies Open Eight also won medals for a comprehensive victory over Devils Elbow Rowing Club, and Erica Gummery and Charlotte Shields once again took gold in the Ladies Double Sculls after wins against Nottingham and Warrington Rowing Clubs.