The Skiff Club Mixed Doubles Marathon 2010

Yesterday was a good day for the Skiff Club, and saw a number of individual triumphs and the usual high standard of club teamwork. Conditions were cold, breezy and some drizzle - but that did not deter our racers or regatta team.

Comparing with last year, we had :

Entries and Clubs - the same 3 clubs competing (SC, DSPC and TVSC) with 17 entries between us compared to 18 last year, with again Dittons having the majority (10).

SC entry - we had 5 crews competing in 3 statuses, compared with 6 (in 4) last year.

Wins - in 2009, we won the Junior and Novice trophies, with Dittons taking the Senior, JS and Vet100. THIS YEAR WE RETAINED BOTH OURS, AND WON JUNIOR SENIOR TOO ! - more below ..

Times - in 09, SC's 2 fastest times were 35:40 (S Hanscomb, J Mehers coxed L Hodgkins) and 35:57 (F Kenden, K Shore, coxed H Bateman). This year our 3 fastest were ALL FASTER than our fastest time last year (see attached), with Roger Haines and Amanda Leach beating it by over 1 minute, Peter Lukes and Lea Hodgkins by half a minute, and Steve Hanscomb and Mary Booth by a few seconds. Good effort, good progress !

Organisation - very smooth (despite intermittent meddling from the Captain..). And in keeping with the environmentally-aware times, the Umpires' launch was man-powered, eschewing the motor launch and reducing our carbon footprint. Whether its occupants felt Green or blue (wind-chill) you will have to ask them ..

Individual achievements : for Amanda and Roger (coxed very effectively by Kim Burridge - who was to skiff in the next division!) to wrestle the JS title from a strong field of 7, by a margin of 36 seconds, was an awesome achievement.  They did not spare themselves, and hammered up to Ravens Ait, forming an impressive lead which sheer guts retained on the homeward leg into the wind. Superb, and the spectators loved it.

Peter Lukes and Lea Hodgkins, coxed by Kim's daughter Lilli, had the Junior title (won last year by Lea and me, cox Amanda) to defend. They did this in style, taking over a minute off last year's winning time, and leaving the DSPC crew 1m20secs behind.

Lastly, Kim Burridge and I, coxed incessantly and very well by my daughter Alice, had the Novice title to defend, won by Kim and Martin (cox Heather) last year. We did this successfully, albeit nearly a minute slower than last year.

And I must mention the gentlemanly row by Chris Coveney and Jenny Juriansz (cox Martin Black), sweeping the course after the field to ensure there were no stragglers.

Thanks go to :

Dilys, Liz and Amanda for lovely food in the clubhouse The supporters on the bank, from Ravens Ait to the finish line The umpires Roger Hughes (also for briefing), Gordon Dear, Tony Gordon (fresh out of the wrapper!) and David Gramolt - on a bitter day for sitting on the water Time-keepers - John and Heather B, RR and Dave Tappin Trophies - Heather Boats, raft marshalling and bar - Bill, assisted by Brind Waldron Start marshalls - Doug, Paul Gregory, assisted by Brind again Entries / draw / preparation - Martin Roche (in absentia).

Roll on Wraysbury and the summer sprints.

Tom Millest (captain)