Wargrave Club Regatta report 2008

Saturday saw our representation at the Wargrave Regatta which resulted in some extremely close finishes, starting with Tom Milest winning the first race of the day by 3ft, a more comfortable second heat by just over 1 length, only to be beaten by the same distance in the Final by Martin Pennock from WBC who progressed into Junior status as a result.

Steve Hanscomb & I both had close calls in our JS singles races & like others need to hone those rusty starts if we're to come good again. We did better in our JS doubles races winning our first heat by 1/2 length only to be beaten by the same length by a crack DSPC crew in the final.

Tom Millest was back in action, this time with Richard Johnson in the GND race, again suffering from their start they fought back valiantly only to be piped at the post by the narrowest of margins - 1ft.

Our next entry caused some consternation with the officials when their combined age at 143 years went off the handicap scale in the Vets Novice race. However Paul Gregory & John Bazalgette didn't need the 8 seconds difference in start time as they finished in style the same time ahead of their opposition as they'd started to win their straight final. In somewhat of a tradition at The Skiff Club this was John's first ever race & win, which I'm sure won't be his last, especially with the support of his family & some of his 10 grandchildren. Let's hope this is the start of a dynasty of skiff racers.

Amanda was kept busy all day coxing all of our doubles races after which it was her turn at the oars & she convincingly beat her DSPC opposition in the straight Ladies Junior final to bring home the only Ormiston point of the day.

Photos of the races can be accessed here.

Cheers,

Roger