The Skiff Club Regatta report 2011

Hi All

As I write this report looking out of my window onto a very rainy afternoon, what a difference a few hours makes as we couldn't have wished for a more beautiful summer's day to hold our regatta on. The sun obviously does shine on the righteous & those that put so much into making the day such a resounding success.

Not only did we have some spectacular racing, I don't think we could have arranged more entertainment if we'd have tried; from the traditional jazz band of the Golden Eagles, the ariel fly past from the Goodyear blimp, the fire brigade water cannon display from the Surrey bank, the procession from the World War II motor torpedo boat & supporting convoy of historic vessels, oh & one final display that nearly wrecked the concentration of the Gents Singles race that was on, the topless girls on the cruiser. I think that'll make it a regatta to remember & hard to beat by any other club.

The only thing that outshone both the sun & the entertainment was our team's spirit & performance on the water. I think I peaked too soon last week with the descriptions of our victories 'cos we've only blooming gone & topped it !! Ah well here goes .......

Win No. 1 - Gents Junior Doubles, David Sawtel & David Maughan, coxed Heather Bateman

Our Walbrook guys, now settling in to the light-side, showed their true form in a convincing 4 length win over their DSPC opposition in a time of 2 min 34 sec, to take their first win of the season.

Win No. 2 - Gents Novice Single Sculls, Henry Roffey

Seeing off 2 of his Skiff Club colleagues, Henry secured another third of a point to keep himself in the novice category for one more win, after completing his final in 2 min 52 sec by 2 1/2 lengths.

Win No. 3 - Gents Senior Single Sculls, Crispin Allen

Now boy did this win have a story behind it ....... or should I say three. This would turn out to be a very expensive day for Dittons & Crispin's opponent Simon Leifer.

Strike 1 .......   The result of the first start.

Simon's first stroke had a catastrophic double failure, which apparently could be heard from both banks leaving Crispin to paddle back to base whilst Simon took a tow from the umpire's launch.

Strikes 1, 2 & 3 ..........   Restarts 2 & 3 had similar outcomes.

Restart 2 resulted in a mere single shattered blade after 3 strokes, another tow home & a meander for Crispin. Restart 3 & whilst another blade was heard to crack, Simon magnanimously looked over his shoulder to encourage Crispin to 'go for it' as Simon limped home. The final result, Crispin's first win at Senior Singles & well deserved after 6 times the course length to get it.

Win No. 4 - Ladies Junior Single Sculls, Caroline Matthews

In her first race at Junior Singles, Caroline comfortably came through her first heat against DSPC, going on to win her final against a formidable TVSC opposition in 3 min 03 sec by 3 lengths, interestingly 2 sec faster than the Ladies Junior-Senior singles final.

Win No. 5 - Ladies Novice Restricted Single Sculls, Lesley Russell

In her debut singles race, where better to win against her Skiff Club opposition than at our home event. So excited to tell someone how well she was doing, Lesley even had a chance for a chat with a fisherman on the bank just before crossing the finish post beautifully in 3 mins 49 sec, the margin 'with ease'.

Win No. 6 - Ladies Junior Doubles, Caroline Matthews & Lesley Russell, coxed Lilli Burridge-Payne

Killer cox & a killer oarswomen slayed both DSPC opposition to win their heat 'with ease' & their final by 3/4 of a length. You certainly wouldn't know from the photo below that such smiling faces could be so ruthless with their victims. I guess that's just the sweet smile of success.

Win No. 7 - Gents Novice Doubles, Richard Davies & Alex Farrell, coxed Joe Davies

Yet another Captain's choice partnership comes good as Ricardo & Alex skiffed for the first time in a boat together, in another all Skiff Club final, in a time of 2 min 39 sec, having a slightly easier finish than in the preceding all Skiff Club heat.

Win No. 8 - Ladies Novice Single Sculls, Sangeetha Iengar

What's interesting now is it's like I've unleashed a wild animal, which is 'The Skiff Club Racing Squad'. No more can I tame their passion & drive, even when racing their own team mates. No more team orders, it's just all out racing. Even when it's a straight all Skiff Club final you can see in Sangeetha's win the reflection of the whole team's desire to succeed. Well done to Sangeetha, winning in 3 min 32 sec by 1 1/2 lengths.

Win No. 9 - Mixed Junior Doubles, Simeon Wishlade & Caroline Matthews, coxed Sangeetha Iengar

A late substitution brought the not so old hand of Stella Alexander back into the racing scene with Henry Roffey who met on the day for the first time & successfully got through their first round to meet the other heat winners in the final. Yet another all out 'blood & guts' final saw Sim & Caroline win through in 2 min 39 sec by the narrow margin of 1/3 of a length. I feel like a kid now, am I nearly there yet? Answer ....... nope.

Win No. 10 - Ladies Novice Restricted Doubles, Felicity Khoo & Lilli Burridge-Payne, coxed Laura Staunton

Gutsy girls time next as killer cox Lilli was this time thrown in at the deep end by her Captain to cover for a crew illness. It's fantastic to see how Lilli has developed over a few years now with the club as an outstanding cox, into competing at junior & now adult level. So another initial introduction on the day saw Lilli & Felicity scoop their first win over Nicky Painter & first time racer Hilary Gullen in a time of 3 min 28 sec. See photo bottom right for their cox Laura literally picking up the whole crew in celebration !

Win No. 11 - Ladies Junior-Senior Doubles, Amanda Leach & Fran Kenden, coxed Lilli Burridge-Payne

Why is Lilli placed in the same 'Killer Cox' category as those with years of coxing experience such as Hilary & Heather? Well this race demonstrated why. With her crew taking an early 1 1/2 lengths lead over their TVSC opposition, Lilli effectively stole the racing line from the other crew, pushing the Umpires tolerance to the edge. Amanda & Fran then continued to dominate the race finishing in 2 min 57 sec by a margin of 3 1/4 lengths. Text book racing ladies, very well done.

Win No. 12 - Mixed Novice Doubles, Tom Millest & Clare Officer, coxed Hilary Shore

And the final Ormiston point race of the day resulted in yet again an all Skiff Club scorcher. In what was a very evenly matched dual against Lesley Russell & Martin Roche, Tom & Clare pulled off another crowd pleasing finale to win in 2 min 39 sec by the whisker that was just 3 feet.

Just as impressive as our Ormiston point wins came our performance in the Veterans & Junior events.

Vets Win No. 1 - Mixed Vets Handicap Doubles, Keith Shore & Fran Kenden, coxed Hilary Shore

I've said once & I'll say it again, Veterans races are not for the faint hearted, they're no easy ride. This was borne out by the first heat win by only 2 feet over the composite DSPC/WSPC crew, unfortunately no time was taken but it was fast. The ultimate all Skiff Club final was at least a bit more comfortable, winning by 2 lengths in 3 min 21 sec.

Vets Win No. 2 - Gents Vets Handicap Doubles, Keith Shore & Dave Tappin, coxed Hilary Shore

A second Vets Pennant win was secured by the President's boat in another all Skiff Club final, somewhat close than the last in 2 min 50 sec by a distance of 1 1/4 lengths.

Vets Win No. 3 - Vets Novice Doubles, Martin Black & Christopher Coveney, coxed Hilary Shore

The last veteran's race of the day saw an ecstatic Martin & Christopher win another all Skiff Club final by 1 length & only 4 seconds slower than the Gents Vets, in 2 min 54 sec.

Junior 16 Win - Joe Davies & Lilli Burridge-Payne, coxed Kim Burridge

Apologies for not having the time & distance for the win to hand but it was great to see our youngsters fending off the visiting WSPC crew to have a comfortable win in style.

By my reckoning there were 2 more individuals that joined Caroline this week in the '4 Pots' brigade, so congratulations to Hilary Shore & Lilli Burridge Payne & lovely glasses they are too.

Final Ormiston tally & league position for the day:

SC - 12 pts, DSPC - 6 pts, TVSC - 2 pts, WSPC - 1 pt

Phew, report done, time for a glass of fizzy stuff to wind down.

No letting up now & getting complacent there's still a way to go to the end of the season.

Onwards & upwards.

Cheers

Roger