This is your JRN Monthly briefing covering the developments of the last month in the world of rowing. If you have a story to share, contact our news desk at juniorrowingnews@gmail.com
The month of November started with Vicky Thornley announcing her retirement from international rowing. Thornley stated, “After 11 years in the British Rowing Team it is time to step out of the boat.” She has had an incredible career, winning a silver medal in Rio de Janeiro alongside Katherine Granger. And recently placing fourth in the women’s singles at the Tokyo Olympics. She has truly left a mark on British rowing and will be missed.
The other major British Rowing news is that Sir Steve Redgrave was turned down for the newly available Performance Director position, before the final interview round. This news has surprised many, as it is not the first time he has reportedly been interested in the job, in 2018 before Brian Purcell was hired he was supposedly interested in the job. Redgrave holds his position of performance director of Chinese Rowing and no word on his next move has been released yet- or who will be taking the role on for British Rowing.
A highlight from November was a standout performance from Imogen Grant, who was the only Olympian taking part in trials after finishing 4th at the Tokyo Olympics. She won the women’s lightweight singles by 22 seconds and came second overall. Lola Anderson and Jack Burns came in first place in singles sculls both representing Leander and Samantha Redgrave and Esme Booth placed first in the women’s pairs both also Leander athletes. In the men’s pairs Harry Glenister and Oliver Wilkes of Leander and Oxford Brookes placed first with Jamie Copus from Oxford Brookes winning the lightweight men’s singles.
Fours Head was also a notable event from the past month. It was great to have so many entries throughout the board. The fastest boat of the day went to Leander Club’s top 4x-. Leander stood out in the champ category winning the men and women’s Champ 4-, the Women’s Champ 4+ and the women’s champ 4 quad. Oxford Brookes University took home the win for the Op Champ 4+. A personal highlight for me was seeing my old club, Liverpool University Boat club, winning the open academic 4+, and placing second in the women’s academic 4x-; the best result Liverpool has ever achieved at fours head. Henley Rowing club proved themselves in the junior rowing events, winning the junior women’s fours, coxless fours and quads with Thames Rowing Club winning the women’s club 4+. The junior boys coxed fours category was won by King’s College School and both the men’s club coxless and coxed fours were won by London Rowing club. Overall, it was a great day of racing with clubs and schools from across the country being represented.
The weather took a turn for the worse following Fours Head, the wind picked up and the cold came with it which led to the cancellation of Rutherford Head. Wallingford Head went ahead but with warnings that any crew not wearing enough kit would be sent back due to the almost freezing conditions. Wallingford Head saw first, second and third go to Oxford University Boat Club, Oxford Brookes and Leander respectively in both the first band of the open 8+ and band one of the women’s 8+.
This week will see both University of Bristol Head and Wycliffe Small Boats Head, with crews descending on the west country to race- it’s looking as if both will successfully go ahead and will be a fantastic weekend. Bristol Uni Head has both the short course and the long course running, and the winding course between Bristol and Bath on the Avon always provides good racing. Similarly, over in Wycliffe, on their short course of 2500m many junior crews will take to the canal and race against their peers and their external competition.
There is much more racing to look forward to as we head into the depths of winter with December bringing events such as the White Rose Head, importantly, all of these head races that are going ahead involve novice categories, which will be a great opportunity for all the novices who never got a chance to race during covid. With the festive season beginning we will see the start of all of the Christmas races, many clubs up and down the country take to the river in their best (and worst) fancy dress in the name of Christmas.
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