Once we arrived in Cork we were greeted with the disappointing news that Skibbereen Regatta had been cancelled due to forecasts of adverse weather conditions (they were obviously looking at different forecasts to us as this was totally unexpected). However the University Championships on the Friday were going to go ahead as planned, albeit with a few timing alterations.
The QUBBC novice men have so far been under the radar in Irish Rowing this year due to a limited head season, however they burst on to the scene on Friday in the first major regatta of the year as they stormed to victory in the novice 8+ with a length of clear water over DUBC in second place. The second crew rowed well and finished in fifth place. This is one of the strongest novice crews Queen’s has had in a long time and the focus now turns to BUCS to see if they can emulate last years crews by bringing home some gold medals. The men’s 4X+ finished fifth. The crew is pictured below: Adam Campbell, Jordan Wilson, Patrick Swaile, David Beirne, Roger Dawson, Evaldas Parsiunas, Justin Queripel, Niall Stevenson and Alex Crowley.
The Intermediate men’s 8+ had two races on friday, the Club 8 and the Intermediate 8. Unfortunately the lack of race experience at this very early stage in the season showed in the Club race as they struggled into third place behind a photo finish between NUIG and DUBC. After being in the hunt with 500 to go it was a frustrating finish and one where a win was definitely within our grasp. After a quick 10 minute break the crew took to the water again to race in the Intermediate 8; this was a much improved performance however the fatigue of the previous race told and they were unable to push on past the fresher DUBC and UCC crews in second and third respectively and finished in fourth. The intermediate race was won by a very strong UCD crew who oddly decided not to compete in the senior 8+ later in the day despite their convincing margin of victory. There were encouraging signs from an inexperienced crew so early in the regatta season and this crew will definitely be in mix for the intermediate national championships in July.
Chris Beck was dominant in the Senior 1X and adds another championship to his growing collection. Both Chris Beck and Philip Doyle continue to perform well at Rowing Ireland trials and are set to race for Ireland at this summer’s international regattas. I will keep you posted once final selections are completed.
The women’s novice 8+ completed the novice double in style as they powered to victory in the first race of the day over Trinity, UCD and Dublin IT. This squad continues to impress, and the future is looking very bright for these talented rowers. The women’s novice 4X+ raced well at their first regatta and finished fifth. The winning crew is pictured below: Gemma Canham, Siofra Corr, Sarah McElroy, Ellen Greene, Rebecca Davison, Katie McComb, Millie Jessup, Katherine Dawson, Mia Johnston.
Like the men, the women’s Intermediate 8+ entered both the club and intermediate category. The crew rowed very well and came in second place behind a strong Trinity crew. The Intermediate race was won by the same Trinity crew from the club race and they also went on to claim third place in the senior 8+ race later that day, so the girls can be encouraged by putting in a strong showing against a fast and experienced intermediate/senior crew. The timetabling at BUCS regatta does not allow for crews to double up between categories so a good performance can be expected as they compete in a fairer competition in a few weeks time. The women’s Club 4+ also raced on saturday and rowed well to finished fourth in a strong field. The Intermediate 2X of Alicia Green and Rachel Brown finished second behind DULBC.
The Club travels down to Dublin on saturday for Trinity Regatta; results will be posted on our Facebook page as soon as possible after racing is finished and a full race day report will be published early next week.
Crews not photographed:
Men’s Intermediate 8+: Carol Moorehead, Phil Patton, Luke McCann, Joel Kelly, Lloyd White, Oliver Graham, Ross Williamson, Ben Smith, Ben Evans
Men’s Club 8+: Peter Ramsey, Phil Patton, Luke McCann, Joel Kelly, Lloyd White, Oliver Graham, Ross Williamson, Ben Smith, Ben Evans
Women’s Intermediate 8+: Charlotte McCausland, Alicia Green, Rachel Brown, Stephanie McIvor, Dineka Maguire, Aine De Baroid, Lana Mullen, Victoria Coulter, Ellie Holmes.
Women’s Club 4+: Alice Murdoch, Brooke Burnside, Rosanna McBrien, Samantha Fisher, Rachel Smylie.
Women’s Novice 4X+: Chloe Hogg, Amy Foster, Natalie Jones, Jenny Salmon and Niamh Whelan.
Men’s Novice 4X+: Jason Nicoletti, Niall Stevenson, Ross Taylor, James Durkan, Tiernan Treacy.
2nd Men’s Novice 8+: Jason Nicoletti, Ryan Urquhart, Daniel Beckett, David Lopez, Eoin Barnes, Tiernan Treacy, James Durkan, Chris Hayes, Ross Taylor.
2nd Women’s Novice 8+: Chloe Hogg, Amy Foster, Victoria Wallace, Natalie Jones, Holli Burgon, Claire Beckingham, Heather Thompson, Gemma Richert, Niamh Whelan.
Thanks for such a full report. Eric
Boat race. The account of Senior Men’s race only makes sense if Trinity had been on the Antrim station.
Yes you are right, that was my mistake, Trinity were on the Antrim station, not the Down station as it says in the report. I will correct that now. Thank you