Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club enjoyed a fruitful day at Southsea Regatta at the weekend, blessed with good weather and some unusually flat water.
Taking to the water first for Shanklin was Harry Miselbach in the Men’s Junior Sculls. Harry faced a tough heat that included both of the CARA championship leaders. Despite this ominous task he breezed into the final, taking a very comfortable second place. In his final, Harry drew a very unfavourable lane 7 and was on the receiving of some terrible steering from other scullers that quickly put to bed his challenge for the race.
Taking to the water in the early afternoon heat also were the Ladies Junior Four. Lisa Robertson, Stella Gamble, Emily Faithfull, Anja Bennett – and cox Garry Walters – faced a tough heat including both CARA and Hants and Dorset champions. Despite this they performed well and earned seventh place, not enough unfortunately to make their final.
Following the Ladies Junior Four, was the club’s Ladies Junior Sculler. Daisy Faithfull has beaten many of her rivals in recent weeks as she continues to find her way in the event. This showed again at Southsea and she beat everyone in the field bar this years champion from Newport, an excellent row that earned her a second place tankard.
Daisy then quickly hopped into the double scull with her sister, Emily. The 2 girls raced in the Ladies Double Sculls, a championship event on the CARA circuit, with some interesting stipulations. In a strong field of Ladies that row the event week in week out, the girls had a fantastic row to finish in third place out of 9.
Later in the day Alex Robertson faced an important race in the Men’s Senior Sculls. A good start put Alex well in the mix towards at the turns where he importantly took the lead over his Hants and Dorset rivals. On the return leg the leading Deal sculler extended to a 3 length lead that he held to the finish, but Alex was able to hang on to second and take a crucial Hants and Dorset point towards the championship.
A short while afterwards, Alex joined Matt Miselbach in the final race of the day, the Open Double Sculls. In a packed out field of 10 boats, Alex and Matt had the best start of the race, quickly establishing a lengths lead. This lead continued to extend from start to finish, as Alex and Matt powered down the course to take a victory of over 10 lengths.
The win was the club’s first at Southsea since their J/S Fours win in 2009 and with the club also taking a few podiums, it was the strongest showing they’ve had in many years at the inter association regatta.
The club now look forward to Woolston next weekend.
