4th May 2008

First up (leaving Twicks at 6am for a 8.10am heat!) was the WS3 crew rowing in Hildegard (Stroke: Caroline Wagner, Gayle Farmer, Nic Butler, Una Green. Cox: Sam Grant) who got off to a flying start winning their opening race by three lengths (or so) and easing all those first regatta nerves in the process.

They were followed by the lightweight pair of Gemma Taylor and Christine Palmer, who were testing themselves in a heavyweight WS2- heat. The pair had set the water alight at camp a few weeks earlier but had suffered a set-back with Gemma being taken into hospital soon after.

Against a strong headwind they finished fourth in a straight final and much, much more is to come from these guys this season!

In the WS3 Final the Hildegard crew put in another strong performance but could not keep in touch with a very strong looking Osiris crew. The battle for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th was intense and the girls took a solid fourth spot.

As the afternoon wore on it was the turn of the George Four to return to competition after the triumph of the day before and they took off like a train in their heat.

Needing to come in the top two to make it through to the WS4 Final the girls looked on course in the first third of the race but were eventually beaten into fourth.

All-in-all an excellent start for the women’s squad in their first race weekend of the season.
Gayle Farmer

Results