Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club went to the latest Hants and Dorset Regatta last Saturday at Coalporters, where two boats from the club were entered to race. Jamie Gamble and George Glenister competed in the Men’s Junior pairs category, going into the race knowing they only needed one more championship point to claim the title at the end of the season. A good row in their heat saw them comfortably qualify for the final later in the day against Southsea. A great start from the duo saw them establish an early lead which they extended throughout to see them win the race and the Championship trophy which they will collect at the Hants and Dorset Dinner and Dance in November.
Sculler Emily Faithfull was the second entry for Shanklin in the Ladies Junior sculls category where she came second in her heat, qualifying for the semi final as a fastest loser. She then went on to win her semi final in a close race against coalporters, giving her a spot in the final later on in the day. Finishing 3rd overall, Emily had a great row coming home only a few lengths behind the winner and championship leader from Itchen.
Also at the weekend five crews travelled to the British Junior championships at Holme Pierrepoint. Ethan Walters and Riley Horrix, part of the IW council talented athlete program, claimed the silver medal in the J15 double sculls. The crew set the third fastest time in time trial element of the event and then after a comfortable semi final came up against a strong crew from Maidenhead.
The race, over the full 2000m course, saw the lead change hands between the two crews on a couple of occasions during the first 1500m, but a final push for the line by Maidenhead just gave them the advantage as they held on to win by a length.
The other crews were competing at this event for the first time, with Kayleigh Batchelor finishing ninth in a large field of ninety competitors in the skills based J14 Omnium event.
Lottie Tapsell coped very well with the blustery conditions to secure third spot in the C final of the J16 sculls whilst Rachael Debenham & Yasmin Wright also finished third in their final after a very closely contested WJ16 double sculls time trial, where only seven seconds separated twelfth to nineteenth positions. The clubs fifth crew at the event, the recently formed J15 double of Owen Denness & Thomas Ashley, had an excellent debut to qualify for their first final only to see it cancelled due the worsening conditions.