RHIR Rowing Race 2022
Published 12:28 on 12 Aug 2022
Round Hayling Island Race 31st July 2022
RHIR.mp4 - An amazing video of the ISC team overtaking during the race!!
Itchenor Rowing entered 3 crews for the race 0ne Ladies Quad, one Gents Quad and a mixed Solent Galley crew of 6, 16 competitors in all with 2 supporters ribs and Colin Maclean and team in Aurora providing support, nourishment and towing services. Leaving ISC at 9am, the race started in pursuit format at 12.30 meaning that the slowest boats go first. Our 2 quads started last at 13.10
Results:
Gents Quad: 2nd overall and Fastest Quad
Ladies Quad: 7th overall
Bembridge: 8th overall and Fastest Solent Galley
The Ladies Quad said:
"What a rollercoaster - from doubting we could go the distance, to disappointment that the course was to be shortened to a mere circuit of Langstone Harbour with the Mulberry as windward mark. After weeks of sunshine and calm the Round Hayling race day began with wind speeds exceeding 25mph off Hayling Beach and race organisers sensibly chose to run the shorter in harbour course. Having agreed to toss a coin to decide who would row the boat on loan from Swift Racing, the boys generously allowed our team to take Quadrille and left us wallowing in their wake as they vanished into the distance. Struggling to keep an even pace as we battled against wind and tide, we at last began to do some overtaking of our own. Sarah in the coxs seat sensibly ignored our requests to provide race commentary and focussed on steering an even course and locating the Mulberry in the swell. Our hearts sank as Bursledon Gigs whooshed past us on the return journey propelled by the wind and tide now in their favour and a fair helping of muscle. We managed a rousing cheer for Bembridges crew on their return and battled on to reach the Mulberry. Sarah took us round in a neat arc and then after a momentary pause while Stella clambered into the coxing seat and Sarah settled in at stroke we struggled to adapt to the change in the tide. Covering the return in barely half the time of the first leg, the approach to the old railway bridge was upon us much faster than expected and Stella holding her nerve resisted the temptation to shut her eyes as we shot through the narrow gap. Passing under the road bridge and determined to pull it together for the final stretch we finished in decent style cheered on by the spectators waiting on the beach. Plans for next year? Yes, lets do it again - faster and better!
Bembridge crew said:
Despite a strong wind and white horses on Langstone Harbour, Solent Galley Bembridge and her crew battled valiantly around the 9 mile shortened course. The team spirit and determination were fantastic. It had been intended to swap positions in the boat to allow the oarsmen some rest but the conditions meant that this was only feasible on a couple of occasions. Despite this and blisters, the crew was still smiling after just over an hour and a half when we were welcomed at the finish by friends and family and delighted to win the Solent Galley class. The party afterwards started on Aurora and carried on at the Club. It was a very exciting and memorable day.
The Gents Quad said:
Meanwhile, in a coastal quad borrowed from Swift Racing, our gentlemen veterans crew, starting out last, made equally swift time and were soon battling with the crews ahead of them. Despite the waves coming over the side once or twice and a couple of interesting moments vying with other crews at the mulberry harbour turning point far out in Langstone Harbour as well as the very narrow bridge near the start and finish, the exhausted-but-smiling team were delighted to win the Coastal Quad class (two years in a row!) and the Vets plate….
Well done Itchenor Rowing!
Last updated 13:27 on 26 January 2024
