On a fresh Autumnal morning of Sunday 28th October, Loughborough Boat Club braved the elements to compete at Burton Upon Trent’s annual Winter Head Race.

Congratulations go to Matilda Haines and Emily Senior, who put in an excellent performance rowing in the WJ14.2X event at Burton Head. The girls are improving with each race, a dynamic partnership, as the fastest crew in their category they brought back much earned winners medals to LBC.

Unfortunately they were to be the only LBC winner’s medals. Three of the LBC crews had no competition in their categories, Shane Freer, Rob Parks, Andrew Martin and David McCaughan (cox Tim Ives) in IM2.4+, Zoe Poyner and Erica Gummery in WIM3.2- and Tom Scholefield in Elite.1X were racing for times only. All three crews finished in very respectable positions.

Two LBC crews were entered in MastersC/D.2- , both racing for the first time as Pairs. Charlie Henry and Andrew Martin had a good race, and the pairing of Richard Goodwin and Keith Hudson finished the 3500m course only 4 seconds behind the winners from Derby RC.

Four LBC crews finished in second position, Jonny Day and Adam Fairbrother in IM2.2X, Shane Freer and David McCaughan in IM3.2X. Also Sandra Martin, Di Hope-Cocayne, Kate Henry and Jenny Smith (coxed by Mike Targett) competing in WIM3.4+. The forth crew were that of Lucy Agar and Beth Henry in WIM3.2X, the girls who have raced well all season were unlucky not to repeat last years success but must have sort some comfort from posting a faster time than a WIM2 crew.

The Ladies novice eight had no competition in their category so chose to row to gain experience as the higher WIM3.8+. Cox Zoe Poyner certainly got the best out of the crew. Kate Henry, Anna Beck, Lucy Agar, Beth Henry, Helen Fairbrother, Suze Wynne, Sandra Martin and Jenny Smith rowed a perfect race. Despite not gaining a medal each, they were delighted with their performance and gained valuable confidence when they caught and overtook the opposition in their division. Well done girls, I am sure it will not long before you will be getting those medals. Looking forward to the next race!