Sunday 24th March saw thirty one Monmouth Rowing Club members travel to London to compete in the Vesta International Masters Head of River Race on the Tideway. This was a fantastic representation for the club at such a major event. The conditions on the day were very favourable, sunny and with a tail wind for most of the Mortlake to Putney 7km race.
Following rigging of boats & a good warm up on the ergs, all crews took to the water soon after 3.00pm ready to find their place in marshalling zones by 3.30pm.
The first MRC crew to start was the Men's F8. As reigning champions, they set off first in their category. In spite of overtaking a number of E crews from the younger category, the crew had a hard fought battle to the line with the F crew from TSS. The MRC crew finished 3rd/10 behind TSS & Tyrion, in a time of 19.30.
Crew: Peter K, Paul B, James A, Colin L, Simon L, Bill D, Nick Hooton, Tim E, cox Hannah LD .
The Women's D8 were in a large category of 17 crews. In this crew, 3 crew members of the crew (Kathryn, Louise & Denize) had their first ever taste of racing on Tideway which they took in their stride, enjoying every minute. The crew had a solid race finishing in 10th place, time 22.11.
Crew: Denize A, Louise T, Bonita B, Dawn B, Julia C, Rachel W, Kathryn K, Ellen R, cox Taryn B
Next was the turn of Women's F8. Throughout the race the crew was competing in a vacuum with no crews around; Wallingford and a composite crew (with several ex international rowers) were both out in front, whilst MRC pulled well ahead of the remaining crews in the category. However with a well executed race, the crew finishing 3rd, time 21.48.
Crew: Mary M, Shelagh S, Maggie H, Paula N, Liz N, Kate Hooton, Liz L, Louise A, cox Darcy
The MxC4x were racing in an A - D category. Initially there was doubt as to whether the crew would race due to illness, but they decided to give it a go even with 1 crew member under the weather. They had an excellent & enjoyable race finishing 3rd out of 7, time 19.50.
Crew: Alex B, Debbie B, Johann BF, Sarah Co.
As always Monmouth crews showed fantastic club spirit with everyone chipping in to help load & unload trailer; rig & de-rig boats; carry equipment etc. This effort really does make the occasion enjoyable for all involved.
A few thanks from all involved to:
Taryn, Darcy & Hannah for some fantastic coxing.
Paul for towing trailer.
Club coach Tim for all his detailed briefings to all crews, his general support of all crews & his hard work leading up to the event to get all crews as prepared as possible for the race.
Those who didn't race but helped crews to train by sitting in or coxing when required at MRC
Ewart for all his help & support on the land, particularly for boating and landing, welly collector for all crews.
Putney Town RC for their hospitality for the day
Ben Rodford Photography for the great crew pictures