Thames Valley Skiff Club Regatta 2010

THAMES VALLEY (TVSC) REGATTA - Sunday 11th July Thanks to immensely brave and competitive rowing by both younger and older generations, and some very wise crew / event selection by Roger Haines and Bob Downie, Skiff Club came away with 3 trophies ! It was a well-contested regatta, with WSPC, DSPC and TVSC each winning the same number of events as us.

First mention must go to our plucky juniors : Lilli Burridge-Payne and Clara Bernardi (coxed by Kim Burridge) contested a straight final in the Junior under-14 double sculls. A throat-rasping finish resulted in a dead-heat and at High Noon the girls had to do it all again, over a half-course : no complaints, and off they went, roared all the way by the Skiff Club supporters, to ... another dead-heat ! That was enough, honours shared, and trophies awarded to both. Well done girls (and Mum).

Our earliest win of the day had come in the Ladies Junior Sculls (another straight final). This was a success for Roger's 'blending' strategy, having fully grasped the opportunities presented by the experimental SRA points / status system! Amanda Leach (JS) and Verena Diehl (zero-point Novice) were entered as a Junior ladies double (coxed by Lesley Russell) ; with immaculate 'race focus' they swept imperiously down the course to record a convincing win over the Valley crew. First win for Verena and umpteenth for Amanda!

The successful formula was repeated in the Gents Junior Doubles (another straight final), where Roger Haines (JS) partnered Richard Davies whose Junior 'no points yet' status makes this combo eligible as a Junior double. This was a much closer matter, partly no doubt because it was Richard's 3rd race in 2 hours! They were a quarter-length down with 40 metres to go, but a surge of Roger's Atlantic DIDI spirit, and Richard's silky competence (and sweat!) at bow, saw them pull through for a narrow victory.

A very honourable mention also for the Russells (Stephen and Lesley), competing as a Mixed Novice Restricted double : this was their 'maiden' regatta, and they showed massive composure to win their first race (coxed by Amanda) in fine style and by a good margin. This took them to the final, the last race of the day, where it was no disgrace to be beaten by a strong DSPC crew. A fine debut for new members who train as hard and as well as any.

In the fifth of six finals Skiff Club contested, Richard Davies (in his fourth and last race of the day!) was narrowly beaten to the Gents Novice singles trophy by Ducas of WSPC, who had in previous rounds overcome Hamish Gaunt (who had won a mixed doubles heat 10 mins earlier) and then your captain (no such excuse - poor steering on the Surrey bank shallows!). I and Kim Burridge (coxed by Lilli) also contested the straight final of Novice Mixed Doubles, but we were unable to emulate the heroics of the younger generation.

'Hard luck' award of the day must go to Jana Mandakova (one of our TRC novices), racing in Mixed Novice Restricted with Hamish (coxed by Clara). They creamed their opposition in their first heat, and would surely have won their semi-final against a DSPC crew (to set up an all-SC final with the Russells!) , had not Jana's stretcher worked loose and caused her to miss some strokes and eventually lose her seat. Until then they were clearly the stronger. Only much experience can prepare you to manage such mishaps - success will come.

And a final mention for our 'ever-present' twinkler - Social Secretary Chris Coveney, competing with gravitas in singles and doubles (with Stephen Russell). Thank-you Christopher, you adorn our racing calendar and brighten our days!

A good time had by all, thanks again to TVSC.

Tom Millest

Club Captain

Please see below pictures from the TVSC regatta this year, courtesy of Roger Haines: