Friday – Club Singles
Magnificent performances from Lizzie Webster and Teddy Sherman – on holiday from University – saw Leicester claim the singles sculls trophies for both women and men.
Lizzie
A good start in her 8AM time trial gave her the 2nd fastest time.
In her semi-final, her and her close rival and friend Jen Titterington from Newark, were neck and neck, well clear of 3rd place, for 1900m, before Lizzie put the afterburners on and shot clear to claim the win.
In the final, Lizzie went out quickly and established a length lead over the Newark sculler. Showing great poise and skill, Lizzie controlled the race, just staying a length up, cruising to the win, by just over 1.5 seconds at the line.
Teddy
His time trial was just after Lizzies and he flew down the course, posting the quickest time by 4 seconds.
Teddy’s semi final was a well controlled affair. After being slightly down at the 500 mark, Teddy kept his nerve and steadily sculled out in front to win by over 6 seconds.
Getting away to a solid start in the final, Teddy was in 3rd place at halfway, nearly 4 seconds off the leader. Steadily upping the pace and going from a long way out, Teddy started to put the squeeze on the scullers in front. Still 2.5 seconds down with 500 to go, he upped the rate again, getting closer and closer to the leader Jamie Coombes – a former GB U23 World Championship Lightweight sculler – who dug in and threw everything at it. Teddy was, however, making progress, and a final rating push saw him crack his opponent from Hereford, to win by over 4 seconds.
Saturday – W J18 Singles
Eleanor
I think it’s fair to say that Eleanor has not had the best of times in her single competing at the bigger regattas. In her time trial she really showed what she can do and flew down the course, finishing a brilliant 7th.
The semi final was always going to be a tough race, and Eleanor dug in and raced very well, but couldn’t quite get in the top 3 to claim an A final spot.
Eleanor really backed up the maturity she’d shown in her previous 2 races in the final. Always being in a tight 2nd place, she competed magnificently and managed to negative split her 2k race. Being under pressure from Newark, Eleanor pushed hard to the line, holder her length and rhythm really well, eventually finishing over a length clear of 3rd place.
Sunday – W Club Doubles
Lizzie & Eleanor
Lizzie and Eleanor, although they haven’t been out in the double since their Henley Women’s Regatta win, started the ball rolling in excellent fashion, storming to a 5 second win in their time trial.
In their semi final, the closest rivals on paper were the double from Warwick. A fast start from Lizzie and Eleanor, gave them a length lead after just 250m. Sculling with great poise and feel for the boat, they crept slightly more ahead and eventually winning comfortably by nearly 4 seconds.
On to the final. Demonstrating their fast starting, Lizzie and Eleanor once agin shot into the lead. The PDA crew from Nottingham were not going to let them have it all their own way though and were working hard, trying to apply pressure. From the bank, it looked like who would crack first; could Nottingham push on more, would Leicester hold them off. There was no doubt! Lizzie and Eleanor, showing a coolness under pressure and with great determination and focus, always had the upper hand and kept the lead through the to the finish line.
This rounded of a magnificent year for the girls’ Aspiration 2x champions at Henley Women’s Regatta and now British Rowing Club Championships, Club 2x champions! What a year!
