Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club sponsored this year by Advanced Automotive entered 10 crews in the two day Newport Regatta which was rowed in 3 boat races over a 1550 metre course on the Medina river on Saturday & Sunday 4 & 5th July.
Shanklin Ladies Junior four crew of Sophie Swallow (stroke), Amber De Landro, Hannah Cusworth, Juliette Wrixon were in the second race of the day in a heat for the semi finals in which they qualified comfortably. In the semi finals the girls were drawn against Itchen"A" and Westover "A" , Shanklin rowed extremely well but it was the Itchen crew that won the place in the finals.
The Mens Junior "A" crew of Henry Mudge(stroke), Jaimey Wain, Henry Gove, Jamie Gamble and Sophie Wrixon (cox) qualified their heat to reach the semi finals where they were drawn in lane 2 against Itchen & Poole crews. It was a well contested semi final with all crews fighting for the finish line but Shanklin were just outside the qualifying time for the finals.
The Ladies Novice fours crew of Amber Pierce( stroke), Daisy Faithfull, Rebecca Nigh, Lisa Robertson and Anja Bennett(cox) rowed confidently to win their heat and qualify for the Finals where they were up against finalist crews from Newport & Itchen. From the start the three crews were fighting for a lead and it was the Shanklin crew rowing superbly that forged ahead as they all came to the finish line taking their first Regatta win of the year. This win now promotes them up Junior status oarswomen.
The last race of the day on Saturday was the IW Challenge Cup which is only contested between the 3 Island Rowing Clubs where two men & two ladies of different rowing status saw the Shanklin crew of Joe Evans- Murray, Matt Miselbach, Daisy Faithfull, Amber Pierce with Jaimey Wain(cox) hold off a Newport crew all the way to the finish line and take the trophy by a length over the challengers.
On Sunday, Shanklin Ladies Novice sculler Rebecca Nigh challenged an Itchen girl in qualifying heat 4 for a place in the finals but after a well rowed contest the Itchen girl took the win.
In the mens Novice sculls qualifying heat Shanklin sculler Harry Hopper unfortunately strayed outside the course lanes which earned him a disqualification so that ended his day.
In the mens Junior sculls qualifying race for the semi finals Joe Evans-Murray was up against Newports J. Fuccio but although putting up a good challenge it was the Newport sculler who took the win.
However, Joe Evans- Murray joined Alex Robertson for the Mens Senior Pairs final where they were drawn in lane 1 against Poole & BTC crews. This proved to be one of the best races of the day as the Shanklin pair rowed superbly to take the lead and win in 4mins 33 secs with 2nd place crew coming in 19 secs behind them. This is the first Senior Pairs regatta win for the Shanklin crew.
Alex then had to row in the Mens Senior scull final 3 races later against Newport & Itchen scullers although putting up a concerted effort after his previous Pairs win it was the Newport competitor who took the win.
Shanklin's under 16 year old girls of Juliette Wrixon, Amber De Landro, Rebecca Nigh, Daisy Faithfull( Stroke) with Hannah Cusworth(cox) rowing in the J16 Fours Quad qualifying race took an early lead to win their heat comfortably against a crew from Itchen and reach the finals. In the finals later in the day they were drawn against two other Itchen crew finalists and this three boat final became one of the most exciting of the day as the Shanklin girls raced neck and neck with the Itchen"A" crew all the way down the course to the finish line but Itchen just took the win by a canvas, an excellent row by both crews.
Another triple Regatta win for the Shanklin Club