Durham Regatta
Durham regatta is often known as “the Henley of the North” due the quality of the racing, the number of spectators and the Pimms and Strawberries! Held over two days the regatta attracts entries from as far a field as Amsterdam and from Novice through to Elite athletes. Tyne United were represented on both days of competition, with seven crews racing on the Saturday and four on the Sunday.
An early start on the Saturday morning led to the J15 2X of Sam and Pat looking rather tired as they arrived to rig their boat. Their first heat was against a crew from Bradford Grammar School, however this proved to be a rather easy passage to the next round as, off the stakeboat, their opponents crashed into the wall. The semi final saw the boys racing against a Tees/Leeds composite crew who were always going to be very quick. Both crews had a good start and sculled well, fighting hard to try to take the lead. Unfortunately the composite crew proved to be the stronger and beat the Tyne United crew to the line.
Pat & Sam - Durham
Another member of the junior boys’ squad was also competing, this time in J15 1x. Finn had a bye through the first round and progressed easily through his semi final. In the final both scullers had a good start and were very evenly matched down the course, it was only in the last five strokes that Finn lost the lead and being that close to line there simply wasn’t enough river left to mount a come back. In his first full season of racing Finn has quickly become a very competent sculler and he is now aiming to go to the National Championships in July to pit himself against the best J15 scullers in the country.
Finn - Durham 2010
Two members of the womens squad were also out racing for TURC at Durham, Liz Harries in the Novice 1x event and Debbie Connolly in the Elite 1x and as half of a composite elite double with Megan Bell from DARC. In her first heat Liz was up against a much younger sculler from Durham School and whilst Liz got off to a good start the Durham School sculler pulled ahead and went on the win. Debbie’s double lost out in a very close heat, whilst in her single she beat her opponent in her first heat but unfortunately lost out in the final to a very fast sculler from Hatfield College.
Two Masters’ crews made up the last of the seven TURC crews on the water during the first day of the regatta. A Masters’ quad of Jim, Andrew, Kev and Martin were due to race York City in a straight final, however, York must have heard just how ‘good’ the quad was and scratched from the event, so the crew never even made it to the start line. The second of the Masters’ races was the Masters’ D eight of Chris, Paul, Paul, Rob, Andrew, Martin, Kev and Jim. The crew had, it was fair to say, very little practice before the regatta and were in the privileged position of having been drawn against the current National Veteran Champions from DARC. The DARC crew, due to their older average age, were due to be given a 12 second head start off the line but waived this as they were wanting a good training outing as, after the race, were due to head down to the Nat Vet Champs to try to defend their title. Whilst the outcome of the race was always likely to go in the DARC crews favour, the TURC Crew rowed a good race and certainly didn’t embarrass themselves. The crew are now training regularly together and will be back at Talkin Tarn.
Masters' 8+ - Durham 2010
Following on from Saturdays extremely good weather, Sunday was an altogether different day. Cold, wind and at points torrential rain showers made racing (and spectating) slightly less enjoyable but nevertheless, four TURC crews were back on the Wear ready to do battle.
First up were the two J15 2x of Caitlin and Claire and Hannah H and Bianca. Unfortunately, Claire didn’t feel too well and after making a valiant attempt to boat and paddle towards the start line, sickness got the better of her and the crew scratched from the event. This left Bianca and Hannah to face a Tees 2x that had won regional trials – a big challenge for such a novice crew. The girls sculled well and the whole way down the course, spectators could hear Hannah H providing motivation from the bow seat. The Tees crew won by a length and a half but neither of the two girls should be disappointed with their efforts.
Most of the races at Durham are over the short course of 750m, however some of the events are raced over the long course of 1800m. The long course poses additional challenges than just being longer in length! Scullers have to negotiate the notoriously difficult arches of Elvet bridge at full race pace. For some reason, probably not even known to her, Debbie had decided that her races on Saturday weren’t enough punishment for one weekend and entered the Elite 1x event on the Sunday, held over the long course. During the race Debbie and her opponent appeared to be having a very close battle and as they disappeared from view and through the Elvet arches there seemed to be nothing in it. Supporters held their breath and waited for the PA system to announce the final result, hoping for the first win of the weekend for TURC – however, it wasn’t to be, with Debbie being pipped at the post and TURC still empty handed.
Molly and Hannah D were the last hopes of the weekend for Tyne United, with their race not scheduled until after 5pm and with the weather getting steadily worse, the girls boated to race the J16 2x event in what could only be described as a monsoon. After taking their place in the queue for the stakeboats both girls could be seen baling out their footwells with their hands! Racing against a crew from DARC. Molly and Hannah sculled well but in the end lost by just under two lengths.
Although there were no wins for TURC at Durham a TURC boat did win. Luke who rows for both TURC and Cambois borrowed a double from the club on Sunday. With a fellow Cambois competitor the two lads sculled a perfect race in their first heat despite Lukes footplate failing after the start causing him to effectively row the race with his feet out. As the lads crossed the line the rain increased and two very soggy competitors had to stop for emergency repairs with Andrew before they could compete in the final due to follow almost on immediately after the heat. Repairs made and another slight delay as Andrew ensured that both athletes now physically shaking with cold were allowed to put on dry kit.
Now to compete in the final and compete they did the double flew with renewed energy as the Cambois crew powered the TURC boat to victory adding another win to Lukes single win on Saturday.
Well done Luke and congratulations’ Cambois.
So, nine crews racing, one crew scratched due to illness and one due to their opponents having heard about Andrew steering from bow. No wins for Tyne United rowers (but one for a TURC boat) and some good racing over the two days – onwards to Tarn.
