Folkestone Rowing Club Dover Regatta report 2008
RACE AGAINST THE WEATHER
Once again high winds played there part at the weekend. Dover anticipated the forcast and shortened the course by bringing the turns away from the harbour wall. Most of the course was sheltered from the very high winds and rough sea that could be seen through the outer harbour arm. An executive meeting was called, chaired by the CARA president to decide if the shortend course would count for championship points. All agreed it would as there seemed no let up in the bad rowing weather and limited time left before the championships. The officials of the day pushed and chased the crews to be ready for the next race after each race was underway knowing that the winds were increasing to force seven. Most co-operated with the regatta being completed in fours hours!
Some good racing ensued with Folkestone's performances seeming to be improving. Again the mood was assisted with a couple of wins during the day.
The first race up was th junior 16 quad sculls. The crew of Emily, Maddie, Jamie, Mark and Capt Marc coxing started well. The crews were rowing the full 1500 metre course for the first time including the turn. Folkestone started well and were in amongst the leaders at the turn. The Folkestone crew leaving the turn in second place. Though they rowed well the couldn't catch the leader and came home in second place. Well Done to the youngsters!The mens senior four was another race that went well for the club. Two entries, The 2006/07 Veteran South Coast championsof Steve, Tim, Matt, Simon and cox Nathan and the re-formed 2003 Junior-Senior South Coast Champions of Marc, Nick, Sam, Craig and cox Jamie. The vets have been comming third and sixth in the senior fours. The Senior crew have not raced much and Nick has been out of the boat and not rowed for a while.
The race was started with all crews tightly packed and no advantage to any crew. The Standard of rowing was high with nothing to choose from the crews as they headed for the turns. Herne Bay A taking a slight lead over the other crews at the turns with the Deal, Bexhill A, Herne Bay B and the two Folkestone crews turning almost at the same time.
From a spectators point of view the race back was one of the best of the season. Hats of to Herne Bay A who rowed away from the fight for second place. They won easily but the race for second continued right to the line. Three lengths seperated second to sixth places. Bexhill came out on top with Deal taking third. The two Folkestone crews were fourth and fifth seperated by about a foot!!
It was soon the turn of the veteran fours. Two crews from Folkestone entered the race. The Veteran A four of Steve, Tim, Matt, Simon and cox Nathan going on the outside of the course with the B crew of Terry, Martin, Dave, Chris and cox Patrick going in the no one berth.
It was the fullest veteran fours race that I have seen this season with Worthing (the A crews nearest challangers so far) being back and Hasting being out for the first time and the addition of two Dover crews.
The levelest start this season for all the crews saw Both the folkestone crews take off in front. The A crew on the outside taking the lead with the B crew heading for the inner most turn. Could the B crew keep there form from Deal? It wasn't to be there day, As the main body of the race reached the turns the A crews was away and clear. The B crew still making there way to the inside mark.
The race back to the finish was all about second place. The Folkestone A crew were well away and won the race easily. (A verdict when there is more than five lengths between first and second place).
The second place has been up for grabs every race. Worthing having taken the point at Southsea when Folkestone A were competing at Henley had two seconds to there name. Eastbourne and Herne Bay had one each. The addition of the Hastings crew added some spice to this and they were just ahead of Worthing with Eastbourne following on. At the finish Hastings won the secodn place race with Worthing taking third. Folkestone B comming home in sixth place.
Folkestone A's win giving them there Fourth win of the season. With the regattas running the way they are they will be very difficult to pass in the race for the CARA Vets championship. The second and third places are being shared around regularly so it looks like there place is almost assured for entry into the all important Veterans South Coast championship race this year at plymouth.
Well done the Vets!!
Later it was the turn of the Junior Mens coxed four of Jamie, Pat, Mark, Nathan and cox Marc. Pat jumping into the Novice winners crew to row in front of his son. Another even start and the crews leading the championship were away. Hastings, Bexhill A, Herne Bay and Deal leading the way with the newly promoted Folkestone crew and Worthing following on.
The turns came and the main crews were bunched together. Deal had dropped slightly of the pace with Worthing and Folkestone just behind. Hastings and Bexhill came out of the turns on top with Herne Bay about a length down. Deal were three more lengths back with Worthing and Folkestone behind them.
The finish came with a win for the Hastings crew. Just a length in it. The rest followed in the positions that they left the turn. The Folkestone crew comming in sixth gaining a point for the club.
Mens Novice sculler Craig Hoveman had gone earlier in the day in the heats. As at Deal Craig had won his heat with ease and in deed gaining and easy verdict over the Dover B sculler. The other heat won by the Dover A sculler closely followed by Bexhill and Herne Bay. Having won at Deal, Craig was looking for his second win in the novice sculls. This would see him elevated to Junior sculling status.
The race started and Craig immediatley went into the lead over two Bexhill and two Dover scullers. As the race progressed Craig gradually extended his lead over the main pack closely followed by Liam from Dover. As they reached the turns Craig was still ahead of the main pack by about two lengths with Laim still closely in touch.
The race back from the turns showed Folkestone in front followed by three Dover and three Bexhill scullers. Craig was clear of the field and dragging the others home. A good second win for Craig sculling technically well to the bargin.That's three Novice Sculls wins this year for the club!!
Picture 1:Junior Sculls to the turns. Marc and Sam chase the leader. Picture 2: On the Return Marc is second on the outside. Sam fights for sixth on the inside. Picture 3: Steve chases Mark Mitchell in the senior sculls
