Much to the relief of athletes and coaches, the 2010 February Assessment for GB hopefuls was changed from Boston to Dorney Lake; the venue for the 2012 Olympic Regatta. The three hour trudge for one long race, usually in standing waves, was altered for three races in a regatta format after a time trial to gain semi-final rankings before racing for final slots. Molesey Boat Club had athletes competing for both Senior and Under 23 vests; some as Caversham combinations, some as club combinations or composites and others in their singles.
Molesey Captain Andrew Triggs-Hodge and his perennial partner, Pete Reed from Leander, faced a spirited challenge throughout the regatta from ‘Alex and Alex’ of Leander Club/Reading Uni but the world silver medalists managed to win the Time Trial, Semi and A Final in commanding fashion over the two oarsmen from the World Championship winning four. A late pairing of Tom Solesbury and Tom James came together after their respective partners fell by the wayside and the Molesey duo finished 5th in the A final, ahead of the other Molesey duo of Mo Sbihi and James Foad. Mo and James, after placing 9th in the time trial, raced their semi-final with a well timed finishing sprint to beat a smooth looking Cambridge pair for the last A final spot in a very tight race. Sadly Ben Smith’s partner, Burkitt of OUBC, was already coming down with a virus and after a promising 8th in the time trial they fell by the wayside in the semi final.
The young pair of Frazer Brent and Pete Robinson raced well after finishing 15th in the time trial, to row through two pairs and win their semi-final. However in the C final their lack of experience showed through and despite leading the field at 500m gone were unable to find a strong enough rhythm and two pairs slipped past them. This was the first time these two have raced at this level and despite not quite finishing it off, they showed they have the ability to step up to the next level following their Thames Cup win last year. Phil Williams, with Mark Roberts of TWSS, won the D final in strong fashion over other FISU trialist pairs. Alex Holden-Smith and Dan Cadoux-Hudson, after a difficult week of exams and house selling, missed the final after the race time was changed but not publicized.
Ruth Walczek and Jenny Farmer acquitted themselves well in a tough Women’s singles field and both reached the D Final where Ruth finished 3rd and Jenny 6th. This was enough to gain them an invite to various small boats trials with the National Team at Caversham. Paul Keane raced hard against his fellow lightweights but found the going tough and that there can be no margin for error at this level to finish 3rd in the D Final.
All told, a very useful weekend as it was the first chance to race properly and to be able to race some of the best oarsmen and women in the world is a valuable opportunity. To be able to do it three times on one weekend was even better and all the Molesey contingent came away having learned valuable lessons about where to step on for the next trial. Plus, we didn’t have to go to Boston!
