On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May, representatives from Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club attended Metropolitan Regatta, at Dorney Lake, a glorious weekend for racing and spectating. Crews were required to race 2000m over the multilane straight course.
MIRC’s Junior eight consisting of Sam Blackwell, Ben Farrar, Morgan Hellen, James Crumpton, Alex Torbica, Will Tew, Josh Pendry and Craig Turner, coxed by Ross Porter, raced at Intermediate 1 on the Saturday and came third in their heat in a time of 6.47 and made it through to the finals. The eight had a storming race in the final and cleared the field to come first in a time of 6.30.
David Porter, Tom Mason, Tim Grant and Jon Farrar competed in Intermediate 1 coxless four and finished the course in a respectable 7.56.
The men’s Elite Double sculls of Stuart Hampshire and Chris Mollison competed in the afternoon and after a good race came third in a time of 7.25 beating opposition from London RC and Glasgow RC.
On Sunday, crews aimed to improve their times from the Saturday, the men’s Intermediate 2 eight consisting of Alastair Cooper, Stephen Slade, Geraint Evans, Guy Sticklee, Mark Tomkin, Richard Ridgeway, Will Purnell, Owen Mills coxed by Sue Mobbs were disappointed with their race and were fired up to compete in the Intermediate 3 category, they came third in this race and finished in a time of 6.32.
A change in crews members in the Junior eight from Saturday meant they didn't have as many points, so they could also race at Intermediate 3, including crew members Sam Blackwell, Ben Farrar, Jon Farrar, Tom Mason, Morgan Hellen, Tim Grant, David Porter and James Crumpton coxed by Ross Porter. They MIRC crew came first in their heat and went on to be the overall winners and completed the 2000m course in a time of 6.25 in the final.
Hampshire and Mollison competed in their Elite Double Sculls again and came second in a time of 7.20.
A new entry for the Sunday was an Intermediate 1 Quadruple scull formed of (from left to right in the photograph) Craig Turner, Stuart Hampshire, Matt Nicholls and Chris Mollison. They had a fantastic race and were pushed on at the end with pressure from Tees Rowing Club, the MIRC crew finished in first place in a time of 6.32.
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club would like to consolidate on their experience in the recent regattas and aim high for regattas in June and July, including Marlow Regatta on 20th and 21st June and Henley Royal Regatta 1st – 5th July.
Laura McGrillen
Lea Spring Regatta - Sunday 26th April 2009
With the forecast set to rain last weekend, the sun shone rather nicely for Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club's (MIRC) first regatta of the season, hosted by Lea Rowing Club up on the River Lea (a tributary of the River Thames).
With MIRC entering only 8 crews, they came away with 3 wins in the Final, with 7 of the 8 crews making it to the Final for their category.
The first win of the day was the Mens Novice 4+ (Alastair Cooper, Geraint Evans, Sean Bennett and Will Purnell coxed by Liz Macham), who were up against Kings School Rochester. To get to the final, MIRC had beaten Broxbourne earlier that morning in the semi final.
The second win was a battling competition between two Maidstone Mens crews meetings in the IMS 2x Final, with Alastair Cooper (2nd win of the day) and Guy Sticklee beating off Richard Nicholls and Sean Bennett. The winning boat had been up against Kings School Rochester in the semi final, whilst the runners up had knocked out Medway Towns Rowing Club to reach the final
The final win of the day, also had Alastair Cooper in the crew, but this time he was coxing the Mens Vet Novices (Ollie Barton, Pete Kingsley, Tom Fuller and Alan Leeson), who were up against the local Lea crew.
The Womens I3 4+ crew won their semi final heat against Lea, but lost to Broxbourne in the final, and two vet doubles finals - Harry Salmon and Robin Chapman in Vet D/E and Anne and Harry Salmon in Mixed Vet C, both lost in the final.
This Sunday the Club is off to Dorney Lake to race in the Wallingford Regatta.
Laura Johnson
With MIRC entering only 8 crews, they came away with 3 wins in the Final, with 7 of the 8 crews making it to the Final for their category.
The first win of the day was the Mens Novice 4+ (Alastair Cooper, Geraint Evans, Sean Bennett and Will Purnell coxed by Liz Macham), who were up against Kings School Rochester. To get to the final, MIRC had beaten Broxbourne earlier that morning in the semi final.
The second win was a battling competition between two Maidstone Mens crews meetings in the IMS 2x Final, with Alastair Cooper (2nd win of the day) and Guy Sticklee beating off Richard Nicholls and Sean Bennett. The winning boat had been up against Kings School Rochester in the semi final, whilst the runners up had knocked out Medway Towns Rowing Club to reach the final
The final win of the day, also had Alastair Cooper in the crew, but this time he was coxing the Mens Vet Novices (Ollie Barton, Pete Kingsley, Tom Fuller and Alan Leeson), who were up against the local Lea crew.
The Womens I3 4+ crew won their semi final heat against Lea, but lost to Broxbourne in the final, and two vet doubles finals - Harry Salmon and Robin Chapman in Vet D/E and Anne and Harry Salmon in Mixed Vet C, both lost in the final.
This Sunday the Club is off to Dorney Lake to race in the Wallingford Regatta.
Laura Johnson
Juniors at National Schools Regatta, Senior Men at Monmouth Regatta - Bank Holiday weekend
Nottingham hosted the 2009 National Schools Regatta, with conditions slightly rough on Friday 22nd May but improving during the weekend for a fantastic day on Sunday 24th May.
The Maidstone Invicta juniors attended and did not disappoint, competing against the best schools and clubs across the country. The J14 double of Nick Penny and Pierre Flasse rowed well narrowly missing out a medal, coming 4th. The girls J14 double of Sally McConchie and Bella Fish came in 11th having produced a great row. The day ended with a silver medal in the J15 double sculls with Ryan Mitchell and Lewis Giles.
Success continued throughout the weekend with the girls coxed four of Emily Dow, Polly Bass, Abi Delderfield and Sarah Judd coxed by Sally McConchie racing in two events achieving 9th and 17th. The coxed J15 quad of Charlie Talbot, Lewis Giles, Ryan Mitchell, Rob Ledniczky and coxed by Ross Porter narrowly missed out on reaching the final by 0.03 seconds coming 7th overall. The weekend finished with Morgan Hellen and Tim Grant winning the J16 coxless pairs adding to a great season. Hopefully more success to come for the squad through the summer regatta season.
Thanks to all the coaches and parents who helped the juniors achieve great success and made the weekend thoroughly enjoyable.
More success for Maidstone was achieved by the Senior Men at Monmouth regatta. The Maidstone Invicta Senior Men also had a weekend away from the club, heading off to Monmouth in Wales.
Saturday was a 750 metre sprint course with 2 crews racing at anyone time in a knockout formation; Maidstone entered 7 crews into different races they came away with 2 wins in the Final. Richard Nichols and Richard Wood won the IM3 Double, giving them points to move up to the next status, beating Evesham Rowing Club. James Knight, back on his home waters, chose to race his single scull in his old club colours for Old Monmothians Boat Club (OMBC) - alumni club for those who went to Monmouth School. He won in the final of IM3 1x and he also moves up IM2 status. The men's eight had a disappointing row and lost to Swansea university in the heat.
On the Sunday, the course was 1,500 metres, this was also 2 crews racing side by side. Maidstone entered 7 crews again. This time winning the Mens IM2 Coxed 4 – Mark Tomkins, Geraint Evans, Richard Ridgway, James Knight and coxed by Alastair Cooper beat Monmouth School with clear water between them, in a straight final. Richard Nichols and Richard Wood raced their double again, this time they raced at IM2, their new Status and gave a good race, narrowly loosing in the heat. The eight that had a disappointing row the day before, had a bit of a change around, and were up against the same components 'Swansea University' as the previous day. Despite having a better row and giving Swansea University a good race, they took the race right to the end.
Next regatta for Maidstone Invicta is the Metropolitan, at Dorney Lake on Sunday 31st May.
Kate Beaumont and Laura Johnson
The Maidstone Invicta juniors attended and did not disappoint, competing against the best schools and clubs across the country. The J14 double of Nick Penny and Pierre Flasse rowed well narrowly missing out a medal, coming 4th. The girls J14 double of Sally McConchie and Bella Fish came in 11th having produced a great row. The day ended with a silver medal in the J15 double sculls with Ryan Mitchell and Lewis Giles.
Success continued throughout the weekend with the girls coxed four of Emily Dow, Polly Bass, Abi Delderfield and Sarah Judd coxed by Sally McConchie racing in two events achieving 9th and 17th. The coxed J15 quad of Charlie Talbot, Lewis Giles, Ryan Mitchell, Rob Ledniczky and coxed by Ross Porter narrowly missed out on reaching the final by 0.03 seconds coming 7th overall. The weekend finished with Morgan Hellen and Tim Grant winning the J16 coxless pairs adding to a great season. Hopefully more success to come for the squad through the summer regatta season.
Thanks to all the coaches and parents who helped the juniors achieve great success and made the weekend thoroughly enjoyable.
More success for Maidstone was achieved by the Senior Men at Monmouth regatta. The Maidstone Invicta Senior Men also had a weekend away from the club, heading off to Monmouth in Wales.
Saturday was a 750 metre sprint course with 2 crews racing at anyone time in a knockout formation; Maidstone entered 7 crews into different races they came away with 2 wins in the Final. Richard Nichols and Richard Wood won the IM3 Double, giving them points to move up to the next status, beating Evesham Rowing Club. James Knight, back on his home waters, chose to race his single scull in his old club colours for Old Monmothians Boat Club (OMBC) - alumni club for those who went to Monmouth School. He won in the final of IM3 1x and he also moves up IM2 status. The men's eight had a disappointing row and lost to Swansea university in the heat.
On the Sunday, the course was 1,500 metres, this was also 2 crews racing side by side. Maidstone entered 7 crews again. This time winning the Mens IM2 Coxed 4 – Mark Tomkins, Geraint Evans, Richard Ridgway, James Knight and coxed by Alastair Cooper beat Monmouth School with clear water between them, in a straight final. Richard Nichols and Richard Wood raced their double again, this time they raced at IM2, their new Status and gave a good race, narrowly loosing in the heat. The eight that had a disappointing row the day before, had a bit of a change around, and were up against the same components 'Swansea University' as the previous day. Despite having a better row and giving Swansea University a good race, they took the race right to the end.
Next regatta for Maidstone Invicta is the Metropolitan, at Dorney Lake on Sunday 31st May.
Kate Beaumont and Laura Johnson
Poplar Regatta - Sunday 10th May 2009
On Sunday 10th May, a large contingency from Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club attended Poplar and Blackwell regatta, racing over a straight 2000m multi lane course. The day started early, with the women’s intermediate 3 1x with Sophie Ollier, after a good start Ollier settled into a good rhythm and kept close to her competitors after recently moving up into this higher category. Ollier completed the course in a time of 9.08mins.
This was shortly followed by the Men’s Intermediate 2 eight, featuring Guy Sticklee, Richard Ridgeway, Mark Tomkin, Will Purnell, James Knight, Richard Nichols, Geraint, Alastair Cooper coxed by Laura McGrillen. After a good racing start, the other crews pulled away to leave the Maidstone eight in fourth place. With the morning race behind them the men went on to race in the Intermediate 3 eights and finished in third place in a respectable time of 6.14mins.
The sun stayed out for the ladies novice four, featuring Katie Martin, Liz Bennett, Claire Torbica, Kate Povall coxed by Liz Macham. With an excellent start, the ladies managed to stay ahead throughout the race and finished with clear water in a time of 7.56mins. The ladies claimed their novice pots and are now looking forward to racing in their new category of Intermediate 3.
Another win for Maidstone Invicta when Stuart Hampshire competed in the SENIOR 1x, this involved racing his doubles partner Chris Mollison. Stuart finished with clear water in a time of 7.15mins and pushes him ever closer to becoming an elite sculler, with Chris Mollison finishing in 6th place in a time of 7.46mins.
The last race of the day for Maidstone, was the women’s Intermediate 3 eight including Laura McGrillen, Anne Salmon, Liz Bennett, Claire Torbica, Katie Martin, Laura Johnson, Liz Macham, Kate Povall coxed by a junior from London Docklands club to which Maidstone are very grateful. The lilac ladies had a good race and finished a close third, unfortunately their time was not recorded.
Maidstone Invicta now have a couple of weeks to consolidate their crews and race plans before attending Monmouth on 23rd and 24th May.
Laura McGrillen
This was shortly followed by the Men’s Intermediate 2 eight, featuring Guy Sticklee, Richard Ridgeway, Mark Tomkin, Will Purnell, James Knight, Richard Nichols, Geraint, Alastair Cooper coxed by Laura McGrillen. After a good racing start, the other crews pulled away to leave the Maidstone eight in fourth place. With the morning race behind them the men went on to race in the Intermediate 3 eights and finished in third place in a respectable time of 6.14mins.
The sun stayed out for the ladies novice four, featuring Katie Martin, Liz Bennett, Claire Torbica, Kate Povall coxed by Liz Macham. With an excellent start, the ladies managed to stay ahead throughout the race and finished with clear water in a time of 7.56mins. The ladies claimed their novice pots and are now looking forward to racing in their new category of Intermediate 3.
Another win for Maidstone Invicta when Stuart Hampshire competed in the SENIOR 1x, this involved racing his doubles partner Chris Mollison. Stuart finished with clear water in a time of 7.15mins and pushes him ever closer to becoming an elite sculler, with Chris Mollison finishing in 6th place in a time of 7.46mins.
The last race of the day for Maidstone, was the women’s Intermediate 3 eight including Laura McGrillen, Anne Salmon, Liz Bennett, Claire Torbica, Katie Martin, Laura Johnson, Liz Macham, Kate Povall coxed by a junior from London Docklands club to which Maidstone are very grateful. The lilac ladies had a good race and finished a close third, unfortunately their time was not recorded.
Maidstone Invicta now have a couple of weeks to consolidate their crews and race plans before attending Monmouth on 23rd and 24th May.
Laura McGrillen
Wallingford Regatta - Sunday 3rd May 2009
Last weekend (3rd May) Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club (MIRC) headed off to Wallingford Regatta at Dorney Lake, the home of rowing for the 2012 London Olympics.
Wallingford Regatta is quite a popular regatta on the club racing calendar, with 129 races throughout the day and with multilanes, where upto 7 crews racing at one time in the 2km purpose built lake, there is a lot of compitition.
Maidstones first race was at 8:30 in the morning with Senior Mens Coxless 4 (Josh Pendry, Will Tew Alex Torbica, Craig Turner) winning their heat, then coming 2nd in the Final.
The womens Novice 8 (Liz Macham, Sue Marsden, Laura Johnson, Katie Martin, Claire Torbica, Liz Bennett, Kate Povall, Laura McGrillen and cox Jo Sticklee) also qualified for the final in their heat by coming in 2nd. There final was at 6:25pm, one of the last races of the day where they came 3rd.
Chris Mollison and Stuart Hampshire entered their double in the Elite Double sculls which was a straight final and did really well, considering they were racing one step above their station and came in an impressive 3rd place which they were both happy with.
Both the Women's Intermediate 3 Eights and Mens IM2 Eights narrowly missed out to making it into the final.
This weekend MIRC are off to Poplar Regatta at the Royal Albert Docks for more 2K multilane racing.
Laura Johnson
Wallingford Regatta is quite a popular regatta on the club racing calendar, with 129 races throughout the day and with multilanes, where upto 7 crews racing at one time in the 2km purpose built lake, there is a lot of compitition.
Maidstones first race was at 8:30 in the morning with Senior Mens Coxless 4 (Josh Pendry, Will Tew Alex Torbica, Craig Turner) winning their heat, then coming 2nd in the Final.
The womens Novice 8 (Liz Macham, Sue Marsden, Laura Johnson, Katie Martin, Claire Torbica, Liz Bennett, Kate Povall, Laura McGrillen and cox Jo Sticklee) also qualified for the final in their heat by coming in 2nd. There final was at 6:25pm, one of the last races of the day where they came 3rd.
Chris Mollison and Stuart Hampshire entered their double in the Elite Double sculls which was a straight final and did really well, considering they were racing one step above their station and came in an impressive 3rd place which they were both happy with.
Both the Women's Intermediate 3 Eights and Mens IM2 Eights narrowly missed out to making it into the final.
This weekend MIRC are off to Poplar Regatta at the Royal Albert Docks for more 2K multilane racing.
Laura Johnson