The Skiff Championships report 2010

Write up below.  Meanwhile view pictures, courtesy of Roger:

I missed a great day at the Skiff Champs, obviously ...

I gather we had 4 victories, all in doubles, with a good mix of returning 'veterans' (not in the status sense) and new members. They were :

Gents Junior / Senior Doubles : Roger Haines and Martin Roche (cox Nicky Painter), beat a WSPC crew in a straight final. A tough race to hold them off I hear. Good to see Martin racing with us again.

Mixed Junior Doubles : Crispin Allen (another returning warrior!) and Verena Diehl (building on her success in Ladies Doubles) coxed by Toni Weekes, apparently overhauled Steve Hanscomb and Becky Golland to win by just 3 feet.. There were 7 crews in this event (3 rounds), so it was great to have an all-SC final.

Ladies Junior Doubles : Amanda Leach and Rachel Miller (cox Heather Bateman) won another all-SC final against Becky and Verena. That promotes Rachel into Junior status I believe, and brings Amanda ever closer to the rarefied status of Senior !

Ladies Novice Doubles : the unlucky withdrawal of Lydia Blinston with a muscle strain meant we couldn't have another all-SC final here, but Lesley Russell and Jana Mandakova (coxed Heather again) were much too good for their WSPC opposition.

I am sure all these winners appreciated the kudos of winning at the National Skiff Championships, and going down in history!

I believe we also contested 2 or maybe 3 other Finals.

Well done all, and thanks to the tea and bar helpers, cake and sandwich makers, boat towers, officials and supporters - and coaches!

Tom Millest