Shrewsbury Regatta, 2001

RECORD ENTRIES AT PICTURESQUE SHREWSBURY, MAY 2001

A record 350 entries were bathed in sunshine at one of the most picturesque settings on the regatta circuit.

On Saturday over 1000m there were some keenly fought races and some surprising results - none more so than in the senior 2 men's' coxed fours. Shrewsbury School had looked impressive in their heats only to be turned over by Kings Worcester in the final after a boat stopping crab by their stroke. Senior 1 eights were won by an experienced Derby rowing club crew who must be pleased with their win over a good looking Manchester University Eight. A mention should also go to Staffordshire University who looked very competent winning their novice pots in impressive style - one for the future? On the women's' side there was a shock win as the Pengwern B crew beat the A crew in the final of the Senior 3 coxed fours.

Sunday racing was a 600m sprint; the weather more sunshine - perhaps not quite so welcome to the many campers nursing hangovers from a great party the night before in the Pengwern Club House. Shrewsbury School won Senior 1 coxless pairs looking very comfortable at 40 strokes per minute. There was a local derby in the final of the women's senior 2 eights with Pengwern edging out Ironbridge.

All in all, a most enjoyable and well-supported regatta with a pleasant atmosphere. The only minus points were a tight course, leading to some steering problems and disqualifications (especially in the coxless boats), free starts and some controversial umpiring.

In the final of the men's Elite coxless fours there was an excellent race between Ross (winners of elite coxed fours at Notts City last weekend) and the home Pengwern crew, which ended with an apparently harsh disqualification of the Pengwern boat which had its nose in front. Assuring the standard and consistency of umpires at regional regattas is vitally important. None are more likely to think so than the Stourport couple who must have had a tense journey home after the Stourport sculler was disqualified by the umpire who happened to be his wife!