Leicester Regatta on Sunday 22nd April heralded the start of the sprint season, and with it much promise for LBC.  With an entry of 12 crews of differing ages, abilities and categories, nine crews were finalists and two crews bought back much coveted silverware to the LBC Boathouse.

 

The junior squad performed with gusto. Another tankard for ‘Super Sculler’ Tom Scholefield, who yet again proved to be unbeatable in J18.A1X.  In the J16A.1X event Scott Boardman was unfortunate not to come home with a winners tankard after powering through two rounds to reach his final. Danny Walder and Charlie Macnamee raced in the final J15A.2X but just missed out to the Newark RC crew.  In the WJ16A.2X event, Lucy Agar and Bethan Henry were pipped at the post by Peterborough.

 

First time regatta competitors Emily Senior and Matilda Haines raced in WJ14A.2X and had a very convincing first round win against the Leicester RC crew. They met up with the experienced Burton Leander Twins in the final who had their work cut out to beat the LBC girls.  Despite not gaining their first tankards, Emily and Matilda gained the LBC performance of the day!

 

Two more first time regatta competitors were Helen Fairbrother and Erica Gummery, who came up against fierce opposition from Lincoln RC in the final WIM3.4+ event. Both Ladies rowed faultlessly and show real promise for the forthcoming season.

 

Adam Fairbrother and Tom Gee easily gained their place in the final of IM3.2X, as did the IM3.4+ crew of Jonathan Day, Chris Smith, Shane Frear and David McCaughan (coxed by Timothy Ives) both crews just missing out on finals victory and winners Tankards. Next time boys!! Single sculler Nikola Stoilov made great progress in the NOV.1x before steering issues prevented victory.

 

Ladies Captain Zoe Poyner coxed the WNOV.4+ crew of Jenny Smith, Kate Henry, Emma Heygate and Diane Hope-Cokayne , who despite an excellent performance were victims of the polished Demontfort University crew.

 

More silverware was provided by the ever improving Masters Squad. With no race for the Eight it was decided to enter the crew as two fours in the MasD/E4.+ event. Clearly this eight will take some beating this season as the two LBC fours met in the final, with victory going to Keith Hudson, Andy Hill, Mike Targett and Jerry Heygate (cox Oisin Mcnally-Reilly).

 

Start as you mean to go on! Great start to the season, well done LBC.