Ryde and Newport rowing clubs were represented at the Itchen Imperial Regatta in Southampton on Saturday, with several crews reaching finals and podium places.
The 2nd Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Regatta of the season took place over a 1,500m course on the River Itchen, with racing restricted to 3-boat heats.
Representing Ryde Rowing Club, the Senior Ladies Four crew of Eva Gordon, Alexis Owen, Emily Kellerman and Stella Baisley, coxed by Ruby Read, finished 2nd in their heat.
The club’s Women’s Junior Four of Abby Bird, Maggie Sanderson, Polley Townson and Clare Gordon – again coxed by Ruby Read – also claimed 2nd place in their heat, as did Open Senior Pair Paddy Kearney and Joe Roberts.
In the Open Novice Sculls, Charlie Watts won his heat before finishing 2nd in the semi-final, while clubmate Joe Bird took 2nd place in his heat.
Ryde enjoyed further success in the Women’s Novice Sculls, with both Stella Baisley and Alexis Owen winning their respective heats.
Owen went on to finish runner-up in the final, with Baisley taking 3rd place overall.
Meanwhile, Newport Rowing Club took 4 crews to Southampton for the regatta.
Chris Clarke and Huseyin Yolcu, competing in only their 2nd race together, secured 2nd place in their heat.
The Junior-Senior crew of Ollie Coulson, Alex Barnes, Jake Garner and Jude Williams, coxed by Mariana Hare, were involved in a close contest with Southampton. Newport led coming out of the turn before being narrowly beaten by a canvas in the closing stages.
Newport’s Open Junior and Women’s Novice crews both finished 3rd in their heats, but there was special recognition for Fiona Brookes, who was named Cox of the Day following her performance steering the Junior crew.
