Dear Everybody,

It was good to return to Trentham after last year’s hiatus due to algal bloom in the water.  Last year we went to the Sunday at Peterborough Spring instead, with three crews, and had one win.  This year’s we took eighteen crews to Trentham, and a full trailer of thirteen boats.  Oddly, the same percentage of wins, one to three, but this year that meant six wins.  

Here’s the story of the Mixed Masters Quad (Gillian, Kjerstie, Paul and Stuart - as told by Stuart):

In the 4x, we found ourselves sandwiched between two Runcorn Quads. We beat one easily and were inches away from beating the second. Despite a reasonable start, they had around a length on us at 500m and we fought back to lose by a “ding” at the finish - we heard two dings in quick succession as we crossed the line and unfortunately ours was the second one. If only the course had been 50m longer...

In the 2x, we had been drawn in a straight final with Trafford, “both doubles are around the same age” we were told by the Regatta organisers. We led from the start and won by a couple of lengths. It was pleasing to discover from a conversation with our opponents after the race that they are in fact a Masters D crew, this being our third season racing Masters E.

Andie Smith takes up the tale of Luke’s Races in J12 singles:

In Luke’s first race, he started good ahead for the full race, started pull away even more after half way and finished full length ahead. 

Luke’s final race, good start, again ahead from the start, and held opponent off by half boat length throughout race, finishing first by this distance. 

Then Jake and Sam’s race via Andie:

Jake and Sams double race, didn't have the best start, Kept up with opponents initially, then winning opponents started to pull away quarter way through race by about half length. Steering went slightly off to left and finished second out of 3 by half length. 

And via Tina: 

Sam and Jake had a good race - came 2nd out of 3 to the Trentham J13 double - Their steering was a bit off yesterday, but they will know for next years Regatta that it’s not actually a straight course!

Also from Tina, Gracie’s race in J13 singles:

Gracie had an impressive race.

First race in a single for well over a year.......she held off both her opponents - the Trentham girl nearly catching her at the end - but she won by half a length!

This from Liz on Ethan and Alex’s win in the J16 double:

Alex and Ethan had to appeal due to being forced into the bank by Trentham - on home soil as it were. Apparently they had had a little deviation into Trentham lane at the outset but nothing of note 20m from the line the lads then became entangled half a length behind - despite Trentham being told repeatedly to move over.  Their  appeal was upheld, and they were awarded the victory– a deserved win for Derwent. 

The W.MasD/E.4+ (Gillian, Sue, Emily, Kjerstie – Nick) won, but no details, and the same crew lost in 4-, but not by much, and the winning crew (Leicester) are very good, so no shame in that.

The final win was Cameron in J15 singles.  He won his heat with little effort, but was harder pushed in his final, and had to earn his pot (his third of the season).

In Womens J15 doubles, Beth and Charlie acquitted themselves well in their first race together, only just losing to Trafford in their heat.

Here is David on his straight final in J14 singles:

Hi it's David here. Me and my opponent's s starts were pretty much equal and we were quite close for the entirety of the race. After about the 28th stroke he pulled away but only by a little. We stayed at that distance apart; it was only in my sudden burst of speed at the end that I closed the gap but alas it was not enough. In retrospect, if I had put on the burst a little sooner, I think I would have won. If it was 1000 metres, I know I would have. It felt like a good race, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

And here is Adam Jennings on his straight final:

So I raced a Trentham local. Found myself overtaking him off the start. Then he slowly gained on me & before you know it, it was over...2 boat lengths.

Less impressive races included myself: coming second in MasF/G singles (I’m F, and the the chap racing G had a seven second lead, but I should have caught him), Gary and Andy in Mas D/E doubles (they were D and had to chase an E double, to no avail).  Rob (Op.1x Band 2), Josh (Op.J16.1x), and Monty (Op.J13.1x), all faced quicker opponents, and finally, a bit more of a story:

The regatta organisers asked us if we could put up a men’s pair, as they had an entry from Leicester with no opposition.  Rob and Chris (the latter representing Derwent for the first time) were happy to oblige, and with three outings to prepare, made a good fist of coming second.  The Leicester pair were familiar to Rob, as they are the same pair he raced at Leicester with Oliver at stroke (with the same result).

A lot of good racing, and good efforts from everyone.  Well done!