BUSY WEEKEND FOR SCOTS CREWS ON THE RIVER THAMES

The Tideway Eights Head of the River Race took place on Saturday 2nd April on the River Thames from Mortlake to Putney in fine, sunny conditions.

A club crew representing Leander Club wrested the first place away from last years winners Molesey Boat Club by a margin of 4 seconds whilst the top finishing Scottish crew from Glasgow RC completed the 4 ¼ mile course in fine style to finish in 64th place in an excellent time of 18 minutes 11.33 seconds. Clydesdale ARC I recorded a time of 18 minutes 16.26 seconds to finish in 76th place followed by Glasgow University BC I in 136th place in a time of 18 minutes 38.57 seconds.

Other Scottish crews to break the 20 minute mark were Strathclyde University BC I in 18 minutes 48.38 seconds, Aberdeen University BC I in 19 minutes 00.36 seconds, Clydesdale ARC II in 19 minutes 8.07 seconds, Edinburgh University BC I in 19 minutes 13.19 seconds, Edinburgh University BC II in 19 minutes 22.81 seconds, Deeside Scullers in 19 minutes 34.90 seconds, Heriot Watt University BC in 19 minutes 38.09 seconds and Glasgow University BC II in 19 minutes 50.53 seconds. Crews just missing out on breaking the 20 minute barrier were Dundee University BC in 20 minutes 6.97 seconds, Strathclyde University BC II in 20 minutes 35.70 seconds and Aberdeen University BC II in 20 minutes 39.75 seconds.

The following day saw another record entry of crews for the Vesta Veterans Head which took place in sunny conditions over the same stretch of water. A composite womens veteran D crew from Inverness RC and Belfast BC produced an excellent result to finish in third place in this event category in an adjusted time of 22 minutes 05.68 seconds. A mens veteran D crew from Stirling RC also performed extremely well to finish in 22 minutes 34.72 seconds whilst a mixed veteran D crew from Aberdeen BC also raced finishing in an adjusted time of 23 minutes 41.81 seconds in 5th place in their event category.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair (Scottish Rowing: Communications) Monday 5th April 2011

HEAD OF THE RIVER RACE – RIVER THAMES – SATURDAY 2nd April 2011

Rowing the distance – 4 ¼ miles - Preview

The Tideway Eights Head of the River Race will be held on Saturday 2nd April on the River Thames from Mortlake to Putney with last year’s winning crew – Molesey BC - leading off the maximum entry of 405 crews at 4pm. Fourteen eights from Scottish clubs will take part this year with entries from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot Watt, Dundee and Strathclyde Universities competing together with club entries from the Clydesdale, Glasgow and Deeside Scullers clubs. In the starting order, the highest placed Scots crew is Glasgow University starting at position 57 and at 391, followed by Clydesdale ARC at 60 and 320, Edinburgh University at 92 and 392, Glasgow RC at 104, Heriot Watt University at 193, Strathclyde University at 256 and 326, Deeside Scullers at 302, Dundee University at 328, and Aberdeen University at 356 and 400. Other Scots athletes will also be taking part in the race in a variety of crews representing English and Irish clubs. The following day sees another record entry of 212 crews for the Vesta Veterans Head which takes place over the same stretch of water with a start at 9am when men’s crews from Aberdeen BC and Stirling RC and a women’s composite crew from Inverness RC/Belfast BC take part in this event against a significant entry of national and international crews.

Report submitted by - Roy R Sinclair (Scottish Rowing:Communications) – 28th March 2011