Strong Shanklin performances at first regatta

Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club attended the first regatta of the season at Coalporters with a very small squad due to exam season. Despite this, the performances form the two entries proved to be extremely promising and the club left in excellent spirits.

The Ladies Novice Four of Hannah Pain, Stella Gamble, Emily Andre, Emily Faithfull and Garry Walters had come in the middle of the pack during the head race season and were looking towards making their way out of their heat. Standing in their way were Coastal Fours Head winners Coalporters. Despite facing an excellent crew that rowed away from them, the Shanklin ladies put in a fantastic race and pushed for the line hoping to gain a fastest loser place. Agonisingly, the girls missed out on the semi final by just a second. Nevertheless this was a very promising result that showed they are well on the pace for the coming regattas.

Shanklins second, and only other entry was Alex Robertson in the Mens Senior Sculls. In the heat, Alex faced tough opposition from Itchen and Christchurch, despite this a careful race saw Alex come home second two lengths behind Itchen and take the fastest loser spot into the final. In the final Alex faced Itchen and non other than Shanklins Junior Sculls champion from 2015 Joe Evans Murray, who is racing for Ryde this year. A difficult start saw Alex fall behind Itchen, but he rowed back though and level into the buoy turn. An excellent turn and return row from Wardell of Itchen saw Alex fall to a length behind, a margin that held to the finish in an ultimately close race.

The Advanced Automotive sponsored club move forward now to the Isle of Wight regatta weekend, with Ryde on the 21st and Shanklin on the 22nd of May.

Some photos courtesy of Jane Maxwell (BTC) check out more of her awesome snaps on her facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/racingsnapsfromjane/?fref=ts