Twelve local youngsters competed for Newark Rowing Club in their first regatta of the season at Leicester, gaining wins in three categories and reaching the finals in another two.
The club’s first win of the day was from George Mitchell (Ruskin Priory Academy) and Ashley Cowley (King’s School), who raced to an easy win in their J16 double scull event.
Not to be outdone by the boys, Harriet Swindells and Hannah Fulton (both KGGS) also recorded convincing wins in both their heat and final, to claim a trophy in their first competition together as a WJ15 double scull. Rowena Price (KGGS) also showed her determination and skill to pull out a decisive win in her WJ17 single scull final.
Also racing well, were the WJ14 quad of Georgia Powell (Walton Girls’ High School), Gabrielle Price, Jenna Draycott and Katie McLaughlin (all KGGS). The quad coxed by Harriet Swindells (KGGS) won their heat to reach the final, but narrowly missed out to a strong crew from Norwich Rowing Club.
The WJ15 quad of Harriet Swindells and Hannah Fulton (both KGGS), with Georgia Powell and Stephanie Hennessy (both Walton Girls’), coxed by Gabrielle Price (KGGS), also rowed in the final of their event but were beaten into second place by an experienced Trent Rowing Club crew.
Megan Pepper (Sir William Robertson Academy) teamed up with Stephanie Hennessy (Walton Girls’) to compete in their first race together as a WJ14 double scull. They put in a strong performance but just failed to reach the final of the event.
