WEHORR 2017
Friday 10th March saw 27 Agecroft Women, 2 Coaches, and a support party head south for the most eagerly anticipated Head Race of the year, which also happens to be the biggest Women's rowing race in the world. WEHORR has treated Agecroft very well in recent years and the 2017 edition did not disappoint.
Boating from Tideway Scullers School, and in near perfect racing conditions it was great to not only see our 3 8s race, but the spectacle of 300 Women’s 8s pushing their limits. After a slightly disjointed winter, cancelled races, bad weather on the Irwell, and one 8 between a squad of 30 during January, we had arrived in London in great shape, including much to the excitement of the 1st 8 a Brand new fillipi that had been delivered 3 weeks earlier. For the first time since 2011 we had 3 8s racing, the 3rd 8 including 4 Ladies who had learnt to row with us in November, a huge achievement to get onto the WEHORR start line in such a short space of time.
At the start of the season our goals had been set as Top 30, Top 70 and 3 8s racing, I am delighted to report we achieved 2 of those goals, falling just short with the first goal.
The 3rd 8 of Emily Young (Cox) Katy Jaques, Beth Bracewell, Natasha Bolton, Catherine Pringle, Marina Pease, Immi Elbourn, Emma Bailey and Carianne De Boer, 8 of the 9 racing WEHORR for the first time, but had seen big improvements each week through February so had gone into the race confident of a solid showing. Crew spirits were high and a great race executed, final finish place of 197th, beating over a third of all entries, an awesome result, and a lot of experience gained for the summer and future years.
The 2nd 8 of Marion Vanier (Cox), Grace Millar, Mollie Arbuthnot, Rebecca Snowdon, Terri Maynard, Meg Andrews, Jess Swindells, Jen Argent and Susanne Van Der Veen were using a boat loaned off BBLRC for the day; a very nice Fillipi, which they paddled in pre-race before making any last minute adjustments. Starting 101st they had a stormer of a race, determined to hit that top 70 mark. Taking 3 crews, including two in the last 500m of the race, coming in 64th in the final standings- an awesome result. A flashback to 2014 and that’s the position the 1st 8 was finishing, again highlighting the real strength in depth of the squad currently, which continues to grow and develop each season.
The 1st 8 of Maddie Szekely (Cox), Charlotte Grandfield, Charlotte Walsh, Bethan Walters, Lexie Gardiner, Flo Morton, Kate Silverthorne, Millie O’Driscoll and Fran Barrand, racing for the first time in the new Fillipi 8, purchased for the squad on the back of a sterling fundraising effort this winter. Starting 34th and with a very clear race plan, we had a solid race, overtaking two crews and sustaining a strong rhythm throughout. Whilst all happy with the race, we were a little disappointed to not hit that final top 30 target to complete the head season, however it leaves us with plenty to build on into regatta season, and a 3rd place provincial finish.
All in all a great weekend of racing for Agecroft Women, and another step on- the 5th year in a row we have seen overall finish positions improve. We are coming out of head season with a great squad of experience mixed with the emergence of some very strong novices. Next stop will be North of England Head and Vets Head with a Masters A boat made up of women from the 1st and 2nd 8, before we officially kick start regatta season- bring on Henley Women’s and the rest of the Regatta Season.
Finally a big THANK YOU, to Edgars for his continued effort, leading our squad on a voluntary basis he’s made huge improvements to the squad in the 18months he’s been a part of Agecroft. To Dorota for her continued coaching support, we couldn’t manage such a big squad without her. To everyone who helps with day to day running, including Sarah and Kate for towing not just our boats but LUBCs too, Emily for stepping in to come and cox our 3rd 8, and those who came down to cheer us on, I am sure Holly wins the award for most excited spectator of the day. Finally to the whole squad for making the winter miles a bit more fun, for pushing each other further and harder and all the fundraising efforts- what a great squad to be a part of!
If you are keen to get involved for the summer season as a rower or cox please get in contact with me. We always welcome new members to the squad, and will be racing all Major UK regattas starting with Wallingford and culminating at HWR looking for success in Club and Senior events; we can also promise you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.
Charlotte Grandfield (Women's Captain)
Boating from Tideway Scullers School, and in near perfect racing conditions it was great to not only see our 3 8s race, but the spectacle of 300 Women’s 8s pushing their limits. After a slightly disjointed winter, cancelled races, bad weather on the Irwell, and one 8 between a squad of 30 during January, we had arrived in London in great shape, including much to the excitement of the 1st 8 a Brand new fillipi that had been delivered 3 weeks earlier. For the first time since 2011 we had 3 8s racing, the 3rd 8 including 4 Ladies who had learnt to row with us in November, a huge achievement to get onto the WEHORR start line in such a short space of time.
At the start of the season our goals had been set as Top 30, Top 70 and 3 8s racing, I am delighted to report we achieved 2 of those goals, falling just short with the first goal.
The 3rd 8 of Emily Young (Cox) Katy Jaques, Beth Bracewell, Natasha Bolton, Catherine Pringle, Marina Pease, Immi Elbourn, Emma Bailey and Carianne De Boer, 8 of the 9 racing WEHORR for the first time, but had seen big improvements each week through February so had gone into the race confident of a solid showing. Crew spirits were high and a great race executed, final finish place of 197th, beating over a third of all entries, an awesome result, and a lot of experience gained for the summer and future years.
The 2nd 8 of Marion Vanier (Cox), Grace Millar, Mollie Arbuthnot, Rebecca Snowdon, Terri Maynard, Meg Andrews, Jess Swindells, Jen Argent and Susanne Van Der Veen were using a boat loaned off BBLRC for the day; a very nice Fillipi, which they paddled in pre-race before making any last minute adjustments. Starting 101st they had a stormer of a race, determined to hit that top 70 mark. Taking 3 crews, including two in the last 500m of the race, coming in 64th in the final standings- an awesome result. A flashback to 2014 and that’s the position the 1st 8 was finishing, again highlighting the real strength in depth of the squad currently, which continues to grow and develop each season.
The 1st 8 of Maddie Szekely (Cox), Charlotte Grandfield, Charlotte Walsh, Bethan Walters, Lexie Gardiner, Flo Morton, Kate Silverthorne, Millie O’Driscoll and Fran Barrand, racing for the first time in the new Fillipi 8, purchased for the squad on the back of a sterling fundraising effort this winter. Starting 34th and with a very clear race plan, we had a solid race, overtaking two crews and sustaining a strong rhythm throughout. Whilst all happy with the race, we were a little disappointed to not hit that final top 30 target to complete the head season, however it leaves us with plenty to build on into regatta season, and a 3rd place provincial finish.
All in all a great weekend of racing for Agecroft Women, and another step on- the 5th year in a row we have seen overall finish positions improve. We are coming out of head season with a great squad of experience mixed with the emergence of some very strong novices. Next stop will be North of England Head and Vets Head with a Masters A boat made up of women from the 1st and 2nd 8, before we officially kick start regatta season- bring on Henley Women’s and the rest of the Regatta Season.
Finally a big THANK YOU, to Edgars for his continued effort, leading our squad on a voluntary basis he’s made huge improvements to the squad in the 18months he’s been a part of Agecroft. To Dorota for her continued coaching support, we couldn’t manage such a big squad without her. To everyone who helps with day to day running, including Sarah and Kate for towing not just our boats but LUBCs too, Emily for stepping in to come and cox our 3rd 8, and those who came down to cheer us on, I am sure Holly wins the award for most excited spectator of the day. Finally to the whole squad for making the winter miles a bit more fun, for pushing each other further and harder and all the fundraising efforts- what a great squad to be a part of!
If you are keen to get involved for the summer season as a rower or cox please get in contact with me. We always welcome new members to the squad, and will be racing all Major UK regattas starting with Wallingford and culminating at HWR looking for success in Club and Senior events; we can also promise you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.
Charlotte Grandfield (Women's Captain)