Shanklin Sandown Rowing club took seven crews to Nottingham to compete against the top Junior athletes in the country, for the British Junior Championships last weekend.
Kayleigh Batchelor, who recently represented her country at the GB v France match in Paris, secured the gold medal in the women’s J16 single scull with a superb performance to cap a fantastic season. Having finished second in the time trial element of the event, Kayleigh faced her British team-mate in the final. Finding herself down at the halfway stage, she executed her race plan to perfection, stepping up a gear she made a move with 600m to go, to seize the lead. At this point, Kayleigh built on this advantage from her challengers to win by three lengths.
The club enjoyed a second gold medal winning performance from the Boy’s J14 double of Carter Horrix & Louis Sheasby. The crew produced the fastest time in the time trial and in the side by side final the crew led off the start and held off the challenge of their nearest rivals from Exeter to win by half a length. Adding to their win in the Junior Inter-regional Championships in April, this win secures their top ranking in the country.
The club’s other crews also enjoyed an excellent regatta, with all Shanklin members making finals. Rachael Debenham won the D final of the J18 sculls, placing her in the top twenty scullers for her age group, whilst the newly formed pair of Ollie Hatch and Fred Giemza-Pipe finished second in their B final.
The boy’s double of Ben Smith and Arlo Adds and another new combination of Beth Katirewa & Esme Walters both acquitted themselves well as did Ollie Hatch in the single scull, with all three crews competing at this level of competition for the first time and showing great commitment and potential for the future.
The club would like to thank Rex Scally for allowing the club to base themselves at the Folly Inn whilst preparing for the event.
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