GB Trials and University Indoor Rowing Series
Saturday saw the club split between Loughborough and Boston, a contingent of just over 30 athletes competing at Holywell in the University Indoor Rowing Series, and 6 athletes taking part in the indoor component of the 1st stage of GB trials. With 8 categories available for racing at the UIRS, beginners would race over 1km to start off the morning, followed by lightweight and openweight seniors taking up the 2km individual race, and rounding off the day would be the two team relays also over 2km. Entries in every category, the team put in an impressive performance, claiming wins in the novice women, lightweight men, openweight men and women, and the women’s relay. This tally of medals was added to by a host of podium finishes, with a final total of 10 medals from the 24 available, a strong message from UoNBC in the region. Over in Boston the trialists weren’t to be outdone, racing against a huge entry from some of the best rowing talent across the country. With a number of PBs being broken, all 6 of our athletes qualified for the Sunday water time trials, a notable performance coming from Imogen North finishing 6th in the lightweight women’s category in her 2nd year.
The land work done, the 6 trialists returned for their water assessment on Sunday. First up was George Crouchley in the lightweight men’s category, his 1st year at the university, George put in a fantastic effort to come away 16th in the U20s, 37th overall, promising for the future ahead. The heavyweight women were next down the course, in a pair of Freya George (3rd year) and Grace Fielding, also her 1st year at the university, it was the first time for both at trials and they took the strength from the ergs onto the water, finishing up 17th overall, Freya 10th in U23s and Grace 5th in the U20s. The women’s lightweight singles followed them. They finished in under 23’s at 9th Lucy Gillbanks, 10th, Imogen North and 20th Nina Giambrone. Lucy, Imogen and Nina also finished 3rd 4th and 10th respectfully in the under 20 year olds. This group with one other, Hattie, who was unable to attend due to injury, were the BUCS gold medal winning light weight quad from last year and are again looking into moving into bigger boats for Wallingford.
Overall the coaching team was pleased with the results. GB trials are fearlessly competitive and dominated by the large University Programmes, Leander and Moseley Rowing Clubs. However Nottingham is being seen as closing the gap every year.
Tim Brearley Senior men’s coach thought it had “been a great weekend for the club with progress at trials and excellent result yesterday at the BUCS indoor rowing championship”.
John McKirdy Head Coach said, “I am really pleased with the progress of the club, it shows the benefit of the club officers, coaches, students and the University staff working together, with one aim – to be the best we can. We can also thank the support of the Alumni, whose help us makes thing happen quicker than would otherwise be possible.”
With some of the strongest results across the board for the club at trials and regionally in the UIRS we congratulate all of those who took part and put on such good performances. We are excited to see how they perform at the next stage of trials and our next competition Wallingford Head in a couple of weeks, we now move into a the next phase of training to regather the squads and build on the fortnight of great exhibitions of UoNBC talent.
