Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club can feel confident of strong seasons to come as the clubs junior section finished second in the overall aggregate at Itchen Junior Regatta, scoring 5 wins and a host of other fantastic results along the way!
The regatta has been run for around ten years now, and seems to build more momentum with every year. The course is a 500 metre sprint from Harbour Village to the Itchen clubhouse, a perfect platform for races which featured many first time competitors!
Shanklins first race of the day came in the mixed J14 quads. Mia Phelan, Sophie Atkin, Riley Horrix, Ethan Walters and cox Emily Faithful had a bad start which put them to the back of the three boat race, but quickly found their way and throughout the race were pulling back with every stroke to finish less than a length behind the winner as they crossed the line.
Shortly following this was the clubs J16 single scullers. Joe Robertson (who was at a disadvantage racing in a much wider coastal class boat!) had a good race, finishing agonisingly close to a spot in the semi final. Jamie Gamble was also very close to earning a semi final spot, like Joe, just missing out in fantastic race. There was however a little more luck for Henry Mudge, who raced in the J16 boys inexperienced category. Henry fearlessly attacked his start despite this being only his second every single sculls race, he lead the race from start to finish and took Shanklins first win of the day. This was shortly followed by the clubs second win of the day as Daisy Faithful made it through a close heat to qualify or her final, where she crossed the line a length up on her competitor.
Following these great early performances, the club then looked towards the double sculls events. In the J16 Double sculls, Jamie Gamble and Henry Mudge earned a place in the final where they had an extremely close race with a Christchurch double, unfortunately missing out by under a length. Daisy Faithfull and Mia Phelan came down the course shortly afterwards, where they won both their heat and final in resounding fashion to take the third win of the day for Shanklin!
The final events of the day for Shanklin came in the J12 categories. Ethan Walters and Riley Horrix both went afloat in separate heats in the single scull. The duo rowed amazingly well to take comfortable victories and set up an all Shanklin final! In the final, a very close race between the two saw Ethan take a victory of just over a length. The two then teamed up in a double scull, to take Shanklins fifth and final win of the day, taking first place by two lengths!
The regatta was once again a huge success, largely due to the brilliant organisation by Itchen Imperial Rowing Club, who deserve the highest credit for continuously providing these opportunities!
The club is now looking towards next week and the final race of the season at BTC Head of the River next weekend.