The last major event for our juniors was at Strathclyde Country Park in Scotland this weekend. We took a record number of crews (36) and achieved both a record number of finalists and a record number of medals! The conditions were very windy – a stiff headwind on Friday and Saturday, and a howling cross-tail on Sunday – but this venue is much fairer and more rowable than the usual Nottingham Holme Pierrepoint. Apart from cancelling the semi-finals on Sunday, all races were completed, and the promised torrential rain mostly held off. Our juniors produced some excellent races in challenging waves.
Our WJ16 4+ are now British Champions, adding to their win at Henley Women’s Regatta, although only Tabby Gauden was in both crews. Martha Hudson, Zara Richardson, Lily Clayton and cox Nell Peters proved what amazing strength in depth we have in this squad. Tabby and Zara also picked up a silver medal in a composite WJ16 4x with two girls from Sir William Perkins School, despite trying out another sport on their way to the start (swimming.)
Our exciting squad of J14 boys won bronze in an incredibly tense race adding to the bronze they won at National Schools Regatta. Arthur Liddy, Lewis Strange, Will Andrews, Tom Fanstone and cox Eddie Mould actually won their time trial only to find themselves downed by a canvas in the final. The B crew reached the B final, finishing 11th – another squad with a great depth of talent. Altogether Wallingford had 9 finalists with no fewer than three of them coming 4th, just missing out on the medals.
Congratulations to all our Juniors for their hugely impressive performances.
Wallingford Rowing Club 