Bronze and Bronze Congratulations

On Saturday, within the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace, the Year 7-9 rowers competed at Blenheim Junior Regatta.

The J14 quad, of Brooke Gosnell, Maddie Jones, Robyn Pendlebury, Aila Hollows-Butwell and Maisie Godbolt, was the first to race. They were in the lead going through the half-way point but Ross Rowing Club just got their  nose ahead on the line. Undeterred the girls headed back to the start for the repechage. They won the repechage convincingly, with clear water over the other crew and secured their spot in the final. Without a break, the girls had to head straight back to the start line where the other finalists had been resting. For the majority of the final the crews were overlapping each other, but as they came to the final push for the finish Ross Rowing Club stretched out a lead. Our girls hung on and managed to win the bronze medal, a fantastic achievement particularly as they are a mixed crew of Year 8s and 9s.

Next up was a first for Great Marlow School, a Year 7 crew racing only a few weeks after being in a boat on water. The crew, consisting of Emily Downing, Christina Baxter, Peyton Nugent, Milly Hopkins and Ash Barber, were up for this new challenge. The girls managed to channel their excitement and nerves, in a more controlled manner than their parents on the bank, and flew down the course, ahead of two Headington School crews, winning their heat and going straight into the final. The final was another close race and the girls fought the whole way. They were gaining on Team Keane but the finish arrived a couple of strokes too soon resulting in the bronze medal for the Great Marlow School crew. A great result for their first race.