On 3rd May, over 40 Rowing clubs competed at the weekend to battle it out in strong tail winds and white horses at Wallingford regatta. This is considered the first main regatta of the rowing season where crews gather to compete and make their pitch for the season ahead, culminating in the most competitive regatta of the summer at Henley Royal in July. The regatta is held on the Olympic course at Dorney Lake providing 8 lanes for racing over 2000km.
Molesey Boat Club entered 29 crews – the strongest club entry to the Regatta, 21 of which made it to the final races of their respective events. There was a large crowd dominated by Molesey supporters all showing their black and white colours. Each race there was the sounds of the famous Molesey chant to urge the finalists on stroke by stroke to push through to the finish.
The highlights of the days racing were the winning Senior Men’s coxed four who beat Thames by 3 seconds stroked by Pete Robinson and the winning Junior Boys coxed four stroked by Aaron Wilkins. These crews are going to be the ones to watch out for this season – clearly on track after their winter training to make their mark this summer season.
Further success came later from the junior camp with the Junior 14 boys winning in the coxed quad.
Director for Rowing at Molesey Boat Club, Tom Courtney said, ‘the club’s performance was a good first hit out of the season – we learnt a lot today and now we are in a strong position for the racing season’
Other outstanding performances of the day were the elite men’s coxless fours with ex-Olympians, Jonny and Greg Searle, and Henley Medallist Ben Pugh, and Dave Lambourn still showing the others how it is done came second to London/Collegians – three of which were Beijing Olympians.
Earlier in the day Richard Ockenden won with his empahatice win in the Men’s elite single scull who then went on to row in the elite men’s coxed fours in the final coming third place.
Of the women’s crews the twins Lucy and Ruth Walczak competed in the Women’s Elite double coming a close second to came second to GB Squad crew. Lucy and Ruth doubled up and went on to race in the women’s elte coxless quad with Debbie Pike and Amelda Gare to take second place.
Andy Hodge, Molesey Boat Club Captain said ,
‘Wallingford was a satisfactory start to the racing season, the racing showed us some areas where we can improve, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the club can do through the summer. It was however great to see the support all the crews we’re getting from the Molesey Tent and it made me really proud to be part of a club that wants to see everyone succeed. Molesey is set to make an impact this summer!”
Further afield, Molesey's Vicky Hansford rowed in the international Adaptive Regatta in Varese as part of the GB team and won in the mixed four. This continues on from her Bronze in the paralympic games in Beijing. Great start to her international season.
On Bank Holiday Monday Molesey continued to make its mark on the rowing calendar with its Ladies Veteran crew who won the veteran coxless quad race at Marlow Spring Regatta.
