On the weekend of July 24th/25th in a hot and humid Belarus, Molesey Boat Club athletes and Coaches represented Great Britain and the World Under 23 Rowing Championships. After a flight to Warsaw followed by a 6 hour journey to the course, 2 of which were spent at the border, the GB Team arrived to the best hotel in Brest. To keep a long story short; we had tongue for lunch (tast buds still on), there was no air conditioning (it was 23 degrees at night and humid with it) and on the second floor there was a 'Mall' which sold herbal remedies, wedding dresses and computers. Plus it was outside the casino resulting in Cars revving their engines for 15 minutes at 3am or playing Belarussian rap music (think Borat theme tune). Mullets were seen on about one in three men. In summary; it was a bit of a culture shock and the grub took some getting used to!
However the course was excellent with good facilities and just a ten minute drive from the hotel via shuttle buses. In the engine room of the Great Britain Eight were Frazer Brent and Calum Wright, sitting at five and four respectively. Ruth Walzcak was at bow in the womens quad while Neasa Folan coached the women's four. George Nash, currently at Cambridge but prior to there a regular Molesey rower, in the mens coxless four, Andy Holmes who rowed with Molesey at the Head of the Charles was at bow in the coxed four which was coached by Ben Lewis.
This event, the former 'Nations Cup' is now in its 5th year as an official World Championship and the level is rising every year and this year appeared to be of a particularly high standard; no doubt due to the odd timing of the World Championships, allowing athletes that are U-23 but in the Senior Team to be released. The racing in the opening heats was followed by semi-finals or repechages which gave way to A or B Finals, with the intensity and closeness of racing being ramped up from one to the other.
Full results are available on www.worldrowing.com but in summary Ruth finished 8th over all which was a very respectable result for the crew and the girls were happy with their performance. Neasa's four finished fourth; always a frustrating place to finish but they arguably punched well above their 'ergo weight' according to the Chief Coach so a real credit to Neasa's coaching. The coxed four, with Andy at bow and guided by Ben, won a bronze medal which initially the crew and coach were slightly frustrated at but on reflection after just one week as a line up and with two guys aged just 18 on board, this was a good result. George won a silver medal in a fantastic race in the coxless four and although the crew had been gunning for gold, with 10 days together and in a superbly highl level event, this was a great result. Especially as they beat 3/4 of the Australian crew that won the Munich World Cup. The real highlight of the weekend for MBC must be Calum and Frazer though. Both of these athletes have been taught to row at Molesey; Calum came up through the Junior system, via the World Championships and a Britannia Cup win, while Frazer was pointed to the club by a club member, mucked in with the 'Giants' for his first year, won HRR last year and this won his first GB vest and a medal. Well done guys, very impressive!
A highly memorable and highly successful trip for all!
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