Monmouth Rowing Club Triumphs at Henley Masters Regatta
Monmouth Rowing Club made a splash at the prestigious Henley Masters Regatta this year, securing two gold medals and showcasing remarkable talent and determination.
The men's coxed and coxless fours teams led the charge, both crossing the finish line in first place and earning well-deserved gold medals. The standout performer, Nick, doubled up in these events, proving his prowess by winning two medals. His dedication and skill were evident as he powered through each race, contributing significantly to the club's success.
Another highlight was the inspiring performance of Frances in the over 80s women's sculls. Demonstrating incredible stamina and technique, Frances single sculled her way down the famous course in a race exclusively for women over 80. Her achievement is a testament to the enduring spirit and athleticism that defines the Monmouth Rowing Club.
The applause for both these astonishing ladies as they came past the boating area was so well deserved & emotional; not only did spectators on the bank acknowledge the two octogenarians racing but crews on the water also stopped to clap & recognise this achievement. Frances is the oldest lady to have ever raced in the 30 years of Henley Masters regatta - both competitors are fantastic role models & inspiration for the younger generation.
The weather was fair, with a slight tail wind that provided ideal conditions for rowing. This added to the overall positive experience of the event, allowing the athletes to perform at their best.
As for other crews, the WD4+ fought hard but were unable to overcome a Kingston crew in the semi final on Fri.
MJ won her semi in WF1x by 2 lengths, only to come up against a former USA Olympic medalist in the final. MJ rowed with determination but wasn't able to hold on to Ms Grainger (not Katherine) from Wallingford!
The WF8 drew an Upper Thames composite crew in the semifinals who had some pedigree within their boat. MRC crew raced strongly and made the opposition work to the end but lost by 2 lengths.
In the men's crews the E2x saw Ewart compete in the event after only starting rowing 2 years ago. A great experience for him & Julian to race down the course, being beaten by a very strong outfit from Warwick.
This year it was the men's turn to return with medals: the F4+ (Nick Hooton, Toby H, Colin L, Paul B, cox Hannah LD) raced in 2 rounds before convincingly winning their final V TSS; the E4- (Nick Hooton, Tim M, Alex M, James A) moved through through three rounds to beat Grosvenor in the final by a length.
Monmouth Club Secretary Kathryn also picked up a gold medal, stroking the City of Bristol women's eight.
Thanks to coach Tim for preparing all crews during training sessions on lead up to the regattas and planning meticulous timetables for the crews to follow on the days at both events. Also thanks to James and Maggie for towing.
Monmouth Rowing Club's achievements at Henley Masters Regatta underscore the hard work and dedication of its members, and these victories will be celebrated as a proud moment in the club's history.
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