Peterborough Jubilee Regatta

Peterborough City Rowing Club hosted their Jubilee regatta at the weekend where despite the challenging conditions they were still able to pull off a successful weekend of racing, with over 60 visiting crews and an appearance from special guest Mrs Karen Daber, Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. Racing took place over the 1000 metre lake on both days at Thorpe Meadows, city rowers collecting a total of 17 wins and 15 second places, 

Joshua Seagrave won his first ever race at the weekend along with his pair partner Bradley Willies. They won the Open Band 2 pairs event on the Saturday by an impressive lead of 16 seconds ahead of Nottingham Trent university. Seagrave also went on to win the Open band 3 coxed fours the following day, along with crew members Will Kerry, Jonathan Ibbott, Alex Hughes and cox Tracey Rushton-Thorpe. They achieved a time of a time of 03:55 which was the only crew in their final to go below 4 minutes.

Another Double winner was Kate Read who joined forces with Linda Dennis to win the Women’s Masters B doubles by 15 seconds ahead of Warwick boat club. She also won the Women’s Masters B singles after crossing the line 2 seconds ahead of Northwich rowing club in a nail-biting final.

Bert Papworth also had success in his single on Saturday, winning the Open J16 title by an impressive lead of 41 seconds ahead of Globe Rowing club. He also joined forces with Tom Calver, Jack Wakefield-Lilley and Daniel Armstrong to win the Open band 1 Coxless quads the following day.

Ella Darrington and Devonne Piccaver also took home a pot in each hand after winning he Women’s J18 doubles, and then joining Alice Dovey and Sophie Pepper (Bewl Bridge Rowing Club) to win the Women’s J18 coxless quads, with a comfortable lead of 19 seconds ahead of Newark Rowing club.

Hannah Fitzjohn coxed the victorious J15 quad of Peggy Papworth, Emma Dennis, Emma Calver and Emily Fitzjohn, crossing the line in first place, 11 seconds ahead of Eton Excelsior Rowing club.

James Garfield and James Ryder had no trouble in the Open J16 doubles event, winning the title by a lead of 41 seconds ahead of Globe Rowing club.

There was further success from Peterborough’s junior boys on the Saturday; William Tee and Isaac Malcolm won the Open J14 doubles by 19 seconds ahead of York City Rowing Club, and Matt hand won the J18 single by 11 seconds ahead of Newark Rowing Club.

More wins followed on the Sunday, starting with Claire Widdowson and Gina Gould in the Women’s Masters A double. They crossed the line 6 seconds ahead of Leeds Rowing club.

Anita Carter and Joan Heath won the Women’s masters F doubles 7 seconds ahead of Star Club.

Paul Scutts and Barry McCann won the Masters E doubles, 20 seconds ahead of Lea Rowing club.

Ian Palmer and Dave Smith from Leicester Rowing club won the Open Masters C double by 2 seconds ahead of City of Cambridge Rowing club. 

The last win came from Al Ryder, Jim Burt, Steve Tuck, Rob Dennis, Jim Bichard, Jaish Mahan, Jack Ward, Keith Blackman and cox Ericha K-Pardoe who won the Open Masters E/F eights, crossing the line 22 seconds ahead of Loughborough Rowing club.

Second places came from Sarah Watson (Women’s band 1 singles); Oliver Barber and Sergio Read Moreira Lima (J15 double); Damen Sanderson, Ro Knighton, James Marshall and Chris Elder (Open coxless fours); Oliver Barber, Sergio Read Moreira Lima, Huw Ballard and Harry Evison-Williams and cox Hannah Fitzjohn (Open J15 coxed quad); Grace Niklasson and Lucy Ralfs (Women’s J18 double); Damen Sanderson and Chris Elder (Open pairs); Emily Fitzjohn and Emma Calver (Women’s J15 double); Ian Palmer and Dave Smith (Leicester) (Open Band 1 doubles); Matt Hand and Lucas Bowes from Newark Rowing club) (J18 double); Ian Palmer (Masters D single); Tim Ellis (Masters E single); John Canton, Owen Green, Doug Barber, Joe Smith (Masters H coxless quad); Ella Darrington (Women’s Band 1 single); James Garfield and James Ryder (Open pairs); Ella Darrington and Devonne Piccaver (Women’s band 1 double).

There was also a Peterborough crew that raced at the Metropolitan regatta over the weekend. Harriet Drake-lee and Ellie Cooke competed in the Women’s Doubles Championship event over the 2000 metre Course on Dorney lake. Out of the 22 doubles competing in their event, they placed 4th in the time trials which qualified them for the A final. In their final they put up a good fight in the tough conditions and crossed the line in fifth position, just 6 seconds behind NUI Galway Boat club in 4th.