The Masters Women went to the 2026 World Rowing Masters Regatta which returned this year to the awe inspiring setting of Lake Bled in Slovenia between Wednesday 9th and Sunday 13th September. Four members combined to enter six events over the 5 days of competition in the record breaking regatta, joining 7000+ entries from 4700 athletes and 890 clubs in 51 countries, which is thought to make it the largest rowing regatta ever staged.
At the World Masters racing takes place over 1000 metres on an 8 lane course and each race is a straight final with no progression system in place. The number of entries renders any method of progression totally impractical and medals are presented to the winners of each final.
The ever increasing size of the regatta makes it extremely competitive and although no medals were won a good time was had by all those attending.
Events and crews entered were as follows –
- WMasC 2- (Wednesday) Kate Sowden, Becky Chilcott (27 entries, 4 finals)
- WMasB 4x- (Wednesday) Kate Sowden, Heather Arrowsmith-Tosley, Becky Chilcott, Fe Ashton (61 entries, 8 finals)
- WMasA 4x- (Wednesday) Kate Sowden, Heather Arrowsmith-Tosley, Becky Chilcott, Fe Ashton (32 entries, 4 finals)
- WMasB 2- (Friday) Kate Sowden, Becky Chilcott (23 entries, 3 finals)
- WMasA 2x (Friday) Fe Ashton, Heather Arrowsmith-Tosley (79 entries, 10 finals)
- WMasC 2x (Friday) Fe Ashton, Kate Sowden (125 entries, 16 finals)
Wednesday results –
- Women’s C 2- 7th in final 1 in 4.52.71
- Women’s B 4x- 7th in final 4 in 4.27.15
- Women’s A 4x- 7th in final 1 in 4.06.72
Friday results –
- Women’s B 2- 8th in final 1 in 4.49.58
- Women’s A 2x 6th in final 3 in 4.24.24
- Women’s C 2x 7th in final 1 in 4.40.08
Delays over the first two days due to wet weather and thunderstorms meant some revision of timetables and the cancellation of several events.
Start lists for each day can be found here.
Results of all races are recorded on Regatta Central.
Livestream coverage is available on the World Rowing YouTube channel for Wednesday and Friday.
Over 100 clubs from Great Britain took part, with Upper Thames RC celebrating winning both the Men’s and Overall Victor Ludorum awards.
The World Rowing Masters Regatta was first held in 1972 and over the years since then it has often been a source of success for the club as outlined here.
Photo: World Rowing