Members had an enjoyable day at Talkin Tarn Regatta on Saturday, July 4th as concerns about the wind forecast for the end of season competition proved unfounded.
Thanks to Talkin Tarn for hosting a successful day in which Durham ARC recorded victories in 8 events from 32 entries despite some scratchings in the smaller boat classes, ensuring a respectable 3rd position in the club standings.
Like many recent competitions entries closed early after reaching capacity.
Division 1
Racing on the 3-lane 700 metre course got underway promptly at 8am with the J15 girls first into action. Ten entries for the WJ15 2x saw the first of DARC’s 2 entries for the event coming through a preliminary round against Infinity BC to qualify for the third of 3 semi-finals, in which another win by 4 lengths saw them through to the final where they were runners-up to Queen Elizabeth High School (QEHS). The second DARC crew was less fortunate, going out in the first of the semi-finals following defeat by Tyne United.
In the Open J15 1x band 1 Sam Hancill finished 2nd by a canvas to Chester-le-Street in the semi-final.
Two Masters H coxless quads contested a MasFGH 4x- handicap, each going out in separate semi-finals against Tees and Talkin Tarn respectively.
The first win of the day went to Seren Williams and Charlotte Foster in the Women’s 2x, who claimed victory by 2 lengths in the semi-final against Talkin Tarn and the final against Lakeland RC.
The Masters coxed four competing in the Open 4+ finished third in their semi-final against QEHS.
Another win went to the Mixed coxless quad in a thrilling final against QEHS in which they took victory by 1 foot.
Division 2
Division 2 started with a 2nd place finish in the final of the WJ18 2x band 2 against St Leonard’s.
The WMasE coxless quad was 2nd by 2 lengths to Lakeland E in the semi-final of the WMasEF 4x-.
The third win of the day went to the J15 coxed quad who after winning their semi-final against QEHS by 1 length went on to double the margin of victory in the final against Infinity BC.
The Mixed School/Junior 2x was 2nd to Infinity by a length in the semi-final.
Izzy Maddison won the Women’s single sculls by overcoming City of Sunderland and Lakeland RC in the semi-final before beating St Leonard’s and Sunderland University by a length in the final.
The WJ16 4x- won easily in a straight final against QEHS.
The WMasC 4x+ won easily in a straight final of the WMasCD 4x+ against St Andrew D.
Cherry Liu-Hill finished 3rd to QEHS in the final of the J15 girls 1x band 1.
Division 3
The third division brought two more wins in quads, the first going to the J14 boys coxed quad who beat QEHS by half a length in the final.
Charlotte Foster was 2nd to Talkin Tarn in the semi-final of the WJ18 1x, and Matthew Wheeler was 2nd to Sunderland in the semi-final of the J16 1x.
Two J15 girls coxed quads entered and both won their semi-finals to set up a Durham v Durham final and ensure the final event win of the day with the verdict going to Hannah Ajaz by 3 lengths.
The J16 girls 2x won their semi-final but lost to QEHS in the final.
The Explorers group entered two Mixed MasC eights who placed 2nd and 3rd against Tyne United D in a MxMasCD 8+ straight final – 2nd going to Julie Wilmore, Caroline Fardoe, Sara Colclough, Liz Baker, Tom Billington, Steven Rodgerson, Julie Walker, Gerry Gralton and cox Steph Billington, and 3rd to Leanne Rodgerson, Rebecca Talbot, Rob Langham, Manush McConway, Hubert Desgranges, Gary Walker, Paolo Fortis, Charlotte Johnson and cox Anya Ilsley-Taylor.
The last event of the day brought a 3rd place finish in the final of the School/Junior 4x-.
Summary of event wins –
- J14 4x+ Garland
- J15 4x+ Fortis
- WJ15 4x+ Ajaz
- WJ16 4x- Anderson
- Women’s 2x Williams
- Women’s 1x Maddison
- Mixed 4x- Fortis
- WMasC 4x+ Colclough
Full results can be found on Easyregatta here, and Durham ARC results here.
The British Rowing Club Championships takes place at Nottingham over 4 days between July 17th and 20th. Other events locally include Tyne Regatta on August 22nd and the Great Tyne Row on August 23rd before head racing returns in the autumn.