Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Gloucester Regatta 2009
There’s just no stopping Minerva at the moment: four wins at Gloucester...
Gloucester regatta is split over two days with the vets and junior races on the Saturday over 600m and the senior races on the Sunday over 750m. Andy and Gary were the first pot winners of the weekend in the Vet D pair. On the Sunday, the weather was autumnal and the canal rather choppy. Despite this, after three hard rounds, the men’s IM3 coxed 8 won: Ali, Jake, Alex, Mike, Rich WT, Stu, Ross and Matthew, with Ruth coxing. Stu won his novices but was spared a dunking until his novice four had raced.
The next win was for the men’s IM3 quad which consisted of Jake, Alex, Matthew and Rich WT. Matthew and Rich were not spared a dunking for getting thier first sculling point. 
The last pot of the day went to the men’s novice four of Stu, David, Will and Rich T with Anne coxing. By all accounts, the water was cold. 
Ross Regatta 2009
And three more at Ross...
Ross regatta is also split over two days with the vets and junior races on the Sunday and the senior races on the Monday. Both days are over 750m but at Ross there is a very interesting and totally baffling staggered start and finish. Again, Andy and Gary won their Vet D pair’s race on Sunday. On Monday, there was a slight re-jig to the men’s quad owing to all the points being amassed, so they raced at IM1 and won. Not bad to say that Jake, Alex, Rich WT and Steve hadn’t actually sculled together.
Ross regatta is also split over two days with the vets and junior races on the Sunday and the senior races on the Monday. Both days are over 750m but at Ross there is a very interesting and totally baffling staggered start and finish. Again, Andy and Gary won their Vet D pair’s race on Sunday. On Monday, there was a slight re-jig to the men’s quad owing to all the points being amassed, so they raced at IM1 and won. Not bad to say that Jake, Alex, Rich WT and Steve hadn’t actually sculled together.
And last but not least, after a tough semi final, the women’s IM2 coxed 8 easily won against the home team: Kate, Jenny, Helen, Vicky, Nicolette, Nicole, Elaine and Anne with Ruth coxing.
As ever, thanks to all those who helped get the boats there and back, and especially to Andy W and Gary who had to traipse back and forth numerous times.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Stourport Regatta 2009
It was an eventful and successful regatta for Minerva and the pots keep rolling in.
The first win of the day on Saturday in the 1100m, boy was it a long way, was for the open Vet A novice coxed fours: Andy H, Bruce, Steve B and Matt H. John Wiggins from Bradford on Avon kindly stepped in to cox. And although they won a pot, they didn’t get a point as it was an invitation race.
Gary and Andy won their straight final against Stourport. Both crews were neck and neck for the first 900m until Gandy pushed for the finish and won a hard race by a quarter of a length. 
The men’s IM3 8 probably would have won their final if it weren’t for a boating malfunction, however, all was not lost when the same crew had a row through for the IM2 race and later claimed their pots without points. 
Gary and Andy won again and beat Stourport off the start and maintained their lead all the way.
As ever, thanks to everyone who helped get the boats to Stourport and back and well done to all those who competed. Next stop, Gloucester/Ross.
The first win of the day on Saturday in the 1100m, boy was it a long way, was for the open Vet A novice coxed fours: Andy H, Bruce, Steve B and Matt H. John Wiggins from Bradford on Avon kindly stepped in to cox. And although they won a pot, they didn’t get a point as it was an invitation race.
Gary and Andy won their straight final against Stourport. Both crews were neck and neck for the first 900m until Gandy pushed for the finish and won a hard race by a quarter of a length. The men’s IM3 8 probably would have won their final if it weren’t for a boating malfunction, however, all was not lost when the same crew had a row through for the IM2 race and later claimed their pots without points. The women’s IM3 8 made it to the final and were sure they had won, however, the umpire said otherwise and claimed a dead heat and therefore a re-row. But, just as the boat went over the start, Yifat at bow had a smack to the head from a double’s blade. Despite that, the crew raced again but came second. What do you expect if part of the crew is concussed?
On the Sunday in the 600m sprints, Jake and Alex won IM3 double sculls after three rounds.
Gary and Andy won again and beat Stourport off the start and maintained their lead all the way.As ever, thanks to everyone who helped get the boats to Stourport and back and well done to all those who competed. Next stop, Gloucester/Ross.
An unexpected win by the underdogs
It was a lovely, hot sunny day on 9th August when we enjoyed our scratch regatta and bbq. The afternoon started with a photographer from Bath Chronicle taking photos of club members having a picnic on the landing stage. This is for the charity Send a Cow. 
Vicky T then opened the champagne to name our new heavyweight single ‘Bladud’ (not bladdered).
Whilst Mike A scientifically organised the scratch crews, names thrown in a hat, Andy U fired up the bbq, the salad dishes started to take over the table and Helen and Steve began cooking.
The racing started soon after; some saw it as a bit of fun, others took it very seriously. Each crew had the chance to race at least twice as there was a ‘trophy’ and ‘plate’ round. The course was short, from the marina entrance to the middle of the landing stage and if crews were really lucky, they were allowed to practice one start.
After an eventful couple of hours racing – crashes, clashes, easy wins and close finishes, the final was between the winner of the trophy and the winner of the plate.
Whilst Mike A scientifically organised the scratch crews, names thrown in a hat, Andy U fired up the bbq, the salad dishes started to take over the table and Helen and Steve began cooking.
The racing started soon after; some saw it as a bit of fun, others took it very seriously. Each crew had the chance to race at least twice as there was a ‘trophy’ and ‘plate’ round. The course was short, from the marina entrance to the middle of the landing stage and if crews were really lucky, they were allowed to practice one start.
After an eventful couple of hours racing – crashes, clashes, easy wins and close finishes, the final was between the winner of the trophy and the winner of the plate.
The winners of the trophy round and favourites, Andy H, Lucy, Paul and Ross with Helen G coxing, were outclassed by the underdogs, Andy W, Yifat, Alex and Heather with Sean coxing who won by a length.
Once racing was over, it was beer o’clock.
A great day was had by all. Thanks to all those who took part and also took the time to cook, shop, marshal, race, cox and drink.
Once racing was over, it was beer o’clock.
A great day was had by all. Thanks to all those who took part and also took the time to cook, shop, marshal, race, cox and drink.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Victoria Thornley - U23 World Champion
On Sunday Victoria Thornley won gold in the GB Women's Eight at the U23 World Rowing Championships held in Racice, Czech Republic.
Victoria has only been rowing for 19 months having been identified through GB Rowing's Sporting Giants Talent ID scheme and World Class Start Development Programme.
The Amateur Rowing Association's World Class Start Scheme sponsored by Siemens is a unique talent identification and development scheme. The programme is funded by UK Sport with Lottery money and since 2006 is sponsored by Siemens. The programme at Bath has identified four athletes for Great Britain teams in the past five years including one U23 World Champion. The athletes in Bath train at the University of Bath and at Minerva Bath Rowing Club. For more information on this article or the World Class Start Programme please contact Paul Stannard, Performance Development Coach, GB Rowing: paul.stannard@gbrowing.org.uk
Bewdley Regatta 2009
Another successful regatta last weekend for Minerva Bath with a lot of wins and a few firsts.
On Saturday, in the 800m, the women’s IM3 coxed four won after a gruelling four rounds. Well done to Helen, Vicky, Cassie and Anne with coxing by Sue.
Jake and Alex won novice double sculls and were duly dunked in the river later that day. Andy and Gary won their Vet D pair competition against Hereford (Vet C!) despite an exciting clash of blades.
Although the weather was a bit grim to start with on Sunday, it didn’t stop Minerva winning more pots in the 600m sprint. “Wily old buggers” Andy and Gary won again against Hereford by about a length.
Nicolette won Vet C single sculls.
The men’s IM3 8 won, which consisted of Ali, Matthew, Charlie, Ross, Mike, Ian, Jake and Alex (coxed by Victoria from Trafford RC).
We had a really big turn out at Bewdley with about 24 Minerva members competing. Yifat bravely volunteered to cox at the last minute and it was her first experience of race coxing.
Here we have gruelling pre-race warming up that is essential for pot winning.
Well done to everyone who competed and thanks to everyone involved in getting the boats to Bewdley and back.
Next stop: Stourport!
On Saturday, in the 800m, the women’s IM3 coxed four won after a gruelling four rounds. Well done to Helen, Vicky, Cassie and Anne with coxing by Sue.
Jake and Alex won novice double sculls and were duly dunked in the river later that day. Andy and Gary won their Vet D pair competition against Hereford (Vet C!) despite an exciting clash of blades.Although the weather was a bit grim to start with on Sunday, it didn’t stop Minerva winning more pots in the 600m sprint. “Wily old buggers” Andy and Gary won again against Hereford by about a length.
Nicolette won Vet C single sculls.
The men’s IM3 8 won, which consisted of Ali, Matthew, Charlie, Ross, Mike, Ian, Jake and Alex (coxed by Victoria from Trafford RC).
We had a really big turn out at Bewdley with about 24 Minerva members competing. Yifat bravely volunteered to cox at the last minute and it was her first experience of race coxing.
Here we have gruelling pre-race warming up that is essential for pot winning.
Well done to everyone who competed and thanks to everyone involved in getting the boats to Bewdley and back.
Next stop: Stourport!Tuesday, 21 July 2009
World Under 23 Rowing Championships 2009
Random photo gallery:
Bridge of death!!!
W4- at the start
The start!!!
Vicky is in the women's eight sitting at 4.
Paul is coaching the women's coxless four.
20th July 2009 - arrived in Czech Republic. Hotel ok. We've pretty much got the place to ourselves. Food good. Only short drive on dodgy coach to the course. Course dug quite deep into ground so pretty sheltered. One practice session today.
Blade painting:
The course:
21st July 2009 - two outings today. One in the AM at about 0800. One in PM at about 1600. Lake getting busy. Most nations here now. Germans turned up as we were leaving with their full team of 21 boats so tomorrow will be even busier!
22nd July 2009 - practice
Having predicted it would be busier today we (W4-) were the second boat on the water this morning and it was great!!! The Kiwi Men's Coxed Four got off the water as we got on and we had 7500m of uninterrupted training on a still, calm lake. 3 boats boated just as we finished the last 500m of our 8k session.
GB W4- boating onto the deserted lake at Racice this morning:
Vicky's eight pushing off for their practice session today:
23rd July 2009 - heats
24th July 2009 - reps
25th July 2009 - semis
26th July 2009 - finals
National Rowing Championships 2009
On 18th/19th July 2009 the World Class Training Group were racing at the National Championships in Nottingham. Highlights of the weekend included two Golds and two Silvers. 
Minerva Bath: Winners of W4x .JPG)
Bath University: Winners of U23 W2x
Minerva Bath: Winners of W4x (Anna, Helen, Erica, Lucy)
Bath University: Winners of U23 W2x (Nicola, Gabbie)
The silver medals came in the Open Women's Singles - Lucy, and U23 Women's Singles - Gemma.
Minerva Bath: Silver medal WU23 1x
(Gemma Akers)
The Amateur Rowing Association's World Class Start Scheme sponsored by Siemens is a unique talent identification and development scheme. The programme is funded by UK Sport with Lottery money and since 2006 is sponsored by Siemens. The programme at Bath has identified four athletes for Great Britain teams in the past five years including one U23 World Champion. The athletes in Bath train at the University of Bath and at Minerva Bath Rowing Club. For more information on this article or the World Class Start Programme please contact Paul Stannard, Performance Development Coach, GB Rowing: paul.stannard@gbrowing.org.uk
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