2005

YCRC Women Reach Henley Final!

The Intermediate Coxed Four of Loretta Williams (stroke), Cath Smith, Mags Felter, Tash Kefford (bow) and cox Matthew Clayton-Stead reached the final of Henley Women’s Regatta, which was held over 3 days on June 20^th-22^nd 2008. This is the first time a women’s crew has raced to this level at this prestigious regatta.

The crew coached by Ed Bedingfield and Ian Hazel-Gant, have only been together since the Metropolitan Regatta 3 weeks previously where they came 3^rd in Senior 3 Coxed Fours out of 19 crews.

The Henley time trial on Friday saw 54 crews hoping to be in the top 32 to qualify. York had a very successful row, which resulted in them seeded 4th. High winds on the day did not put them off in the 1^st of the knock out rounds where they beat Reading University comfortably.

The wind picked up on Saturday but despite being one of the lightest crews, York won easily over City of Bristol. Bedford School put up a bit more of a fight in the quarter finals but York were able to stay ahead to win by 1 length.

Sunday saw even higher winds for the semi finals against Imperial College. The bigger crew were a length and a half up by half way but were not prepared for the fight York gave them! York clawed their way back seat by seat putting IC under pressure they had never had to deal with before (as they admitted later!). York took the lead with a matter of metres to go, the pressure of which caused IC to crab and hit the booms on the finish line.

The final saw an out and out battle between York and Edinburgh University. As the wind picked up even more, Edinburgh took a length by half way. York stayed with them but were unfortunately unable to catch them losing by 1 and a quarter lengths to take 2^nd place overall.

Tees Regatta 2008

For the second year running the coaching of Alec Gilchrist with women's novice crews has had fantastic success.  In only their second race the Women's Novice 4+ of Lucy Stewart (stroke), Hazel Jones, Becky Houghton and Jenny Bridstone and coxed by Rory Wells from St Peters won their novice pot in style; very well done to them.

 A Women's Senior 4 2x of Jo Brehaut and Claire Fletcher also won, as did the Women's Senior 2 2x of Julia Schumacher and Helen Banks.  A mixed Veteran quad of Jo Brehaut, Claire Fletcher, Alec Gilchrist and Martin also won, so a good day out all round for YCRC rowers.

National Veterans Regatta 2008

The water at Holm Pierpont behaved itself this weekend (14th/15th June) as the women veterans of York City Rowing Club produced two gold winning performances.

The crew of Helen Banks, Ali Stevens, Ann Homa and Karen Williams won WVet B coxless fours ad were then joined by ex York City cox Helena Smallman-Smith who ably steered them to victory in WVet C coxed fours.

Doncaster May 2008

Again the novice men and women were out on the water and with winning ways

A very good sculling win for Jo Brehaut in Women's Novice 1x,  and it was eventually an all York City final in Men's Novice Vet 1x between Martin Walsh and Alec Gilchrist with Gilchrist coming out the winner.  Gilchrist joined Walsh and together they won Men's Veteran C / D 2x.  The men's vet 4+ had a good outing but opposition was too much and sadly the Women's Novice 4+ were disqualified after a difficult start.

Click on Pictures to enlarge

The veterans joined together to row a Mixed Vet 8+ against Hollingworth Lake but having to give Hollingworth a 4 second start on veteran handicap.  The York crew  of Jo Brehaut, Heather Fingerson, Alec Gilchrist, Stephen Maude, Monica (Borrowed form Doncaster RC) and Gill Porteous, cox Rory Wells,  managed to get to within a length but over the short sprint distance the 4 second start proved too much to overcome.