The National Schools’ Regatta is the biggest event in the junior rowing calendar. Thousands of competitors racing over 3 days. This subsequently leads to an incredibly competitive regatta. We had 3 crews competing, WJ16 2x, G Ch 1x and Ch 1x. All being well established competent scullers who have already had great success the season already at events such as Wallingford Regatta, the Junior Sculling Regatta and JIRR
Fiona and Louise raced for the Simon Sears Cup (WJ16 2X). Racing against 23 other crews they placed a solid 9th to land them a spot in the AB semi-final later on in the day. Competing in the faster of the two semis the girls managed a respectable 5th and earn a start in the B final. Having a close battle with Newark and ASL their final position was an awesome 11th. An awesome achievement.
Our second crew of the day was Hollie racing in the G Ch 1x, International Cup for Championship single sculls. With a massive field of 42 scullers Hollie placed just 1.8s off the AB semis and placed in the C final. In her final she led the field through the 1500m mark, and had an enthralling race with Randor House School, just 2s separating them at the line with Hollie just falling short to take 2nd place in the C final of the girls Championship Singles. Another incredible result.
All eyes turned to turned to Tommy as the last Exeter crew of the day, and he didn’t fail to disappoint. Placing 10th placed in an immensely close field with 5s covering 8 scullers in the time trial. After having a lack lustre semi-final Tommy’s next race was the B final of the championship singles. This was an absolute corker, having the fastest last 500 he managed to finish 2nd and 10th overall in a field with the reigning European Junior Champion!
Overall Exeter had a very successful regatta with the next major event being British Rowing Junior Championships at Nottingham in a few weeks’ time! A great day for ERC.
Report by Tommy, Junior Captain