On Sun 20th Nov 2022, three Monmouth Rowing Club (MRC) crews travelled to London to race in the Vets 4’s Head on the Tideway in London. Racing from Mortlake to Putney, with average ages of anything between 27 up to 70+, a total of 260 crews took part this year. Conditions were near perfect; sunshine, warmth, very little wind and reasonably calm river which led to an enjoyable afternoon’s racing for all crews.
WD4x- Rachel Westerlund, Helen Tilley, Maggie Hickland (a late replacement for an under the weather Liz Newman) and Julia Cowton finished 7th/10, 179 overall, in a time of 22.39, beating Warwick, Twickenham & Minerva Bath.
WF4+ - In a great performance, Louise Allison, Melanie Brown, Kate Hooton, Liz Lewis & cox Darcy Birkett won their category, beating Lea & Marlow convincingly. Their time of 23.23, moved them from a starting position of 259 to an overall finish position of 209.
F4- - Colin Lewis, Peter Kelsall, Jonathan Ferris & James Allison – were in a strong & competitive category and had a battle throughout against Crabtree who started one place behind them, fighting them off to the end. The Monmouth crew finished 5th/7,103 overall, in time of 21.23, beating Quintin & Putney Town.
Coach Tim Male also raced in a B4x- for Tideway Scullers School – his crew won their category in a time of 18.50 which was the overall fastest time of the day.
Well done to all who took part. Thanks to Julia, James and Darcy for steering/coxing so well; to Maggie for stepping in to race at last minute; to James & Louise for towing the trailer to & from London; to Tim for all his guidance, advice & meticulous planning for both warm-up & racing; and to Putney Town RC for the hosting MRC.