THE 177th Oxford City Royal Regatta was another tremendous success – with 12 local clubs landing titles, writes John Wiggins.
Raced over 1,000m on the opening day with a 500m sprint course 24 hours later – both finishing at Long Bridges on the River Isis – the event was fully subscribed with 350 races for more than 80 categories.
Of these, more than 30 involved local competitors.
Students at Oxford colleges were responsible for half of these successes.
Christ Church took three in singles and another in the four, while Wolfson had more variety winning the Masters A single, mixed eight, women’s four and women’s double.
Green Templeton captured the mixed eights title as well as the women’s eights on both days along with the men’s double and men’s four.
Pembroke were singularly successful in the Band 3 scull on Saturday while it took the combined efforts of Jesus and Linacre to win Sunday’s Band 2 double sculls.
The hosts managed success in the women’s band 2 double on both days, while on the second day some youngsters tasted success.
Robert McRae won the J14 single and the double with Alvaro Daza in an all- City of Oxford final.
Evie Tinegate took the girls J14 event to add to last year’s J13 title.
Falcon RC took advantage of the home water with Susie Holmes Smith and Lil Cochrane winning the Masters E double and Toby Pridmore in the J14 singles.
Oxford Academicals triumphed in the men’s band 2 eights, while St Edward’s Martyrs claimed the band 1 category and lunchtime scratch sprint event.
The same rowers also challenged for the band 1 fours in the afternoon, but while the both Martyrs crews failed to progress, one of the former Teddies pupils, Alex Simmonds switched colours to the red and blue of Wallingford and went on to record a third trophy of the day.
Wallingford had further success with Emily Wilks winning in the single.
Abingdon triumphed in the band 4 men’s singles, while another solo success was for Oxford University lightweight Caitlin O’Brien in the band 2 event.
The regatta is one of few opportunities for adaptive rowers and City of Oxford took advantage.
They posted wins in the adaptive (one-handed) double scull for father and son, Neil and Finlay Lawson, as well as the PR3 category for Rachael Lunney, supported by Hannah Germain.
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