Saturday 29th November 2003
- The racing jinx has hit Britain again - after an unusually dry summer and autumn sees regatta/head organisers rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of actual racing, suddenly Nasty Winds do their worst, affecting the one day of the week when most British clubs are in action. So far I know of the Scullers' Head being cancelled (and not necessarily to be rescheduled), and Christ Church Regatta in Oxford having to row the last day's racing as time-trials a la FISA. [Exeter's novice men and New College novice women won, if you were wondering.]
- The Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race has been won by Kevin Biggar and James Fitzgerald of Holiday Shoppe Challenge, a NZ team who boast 1997 race-winner Rob Hamill as their expert advisor and team leader. Which should make it no surprise that on Thursday Biggar and Fitzgerald went one better than their mentor, and broke his previous record for the crossing (41 days 2 hrs 55 minutes), registering their own time of 40 days 4 hrs and 53 minutes. Congratulations all.
Friday 28th November 2003
- Winner of last weekend's 11,000 metre Turin SilverSkiff race was double Olympic champion Andre Willms, who set a new record time of 40:59 ahead of Stephan Volkert, his usual partner. Women's winner for the seventh time was local Elisabetta Brugo, setting 45:03 ahead of Mathilde Pauls (London, UK). Reports on the official site (link above) and photos on www.fotorowing.com.
Wednesday 26th November 2003
- Those interested in the 2004 Rowing Calendar (UK, see advert below right) may like to know that there are 50 limited edition calendars up for grabs, signed by all the calendar boys. You can get one of these for free by placing an order for 20 standard calendars. Orders via the Crew Room or by printing off and sending the online order form.
Monday 24th November 2003
- Canadian trials winners were Roslyn McLeod and Buffy Williams in the W2- over Jacqui Cook and Karen Clark, and Andrew Hoskins/Joe Stankevicius over Dave Calder/Tom Herschmiller in the M2-. Other winners were Doug Vandor/Iain Brambell (LM2-), world champion Fiona Milne (LW1x), Jeff Powell (M1x), Marilyn Taylor (W1x) and Matt Jensen (LM1x). More details on the national federation website.
Friday 21st November 2003
- A bit of light relief from the rec.sport.rowing newsgroup.
- The Canadian heavyweight men, not to be outdone by the Brits, have produced their own 2004 Rowing Calendar.
- A website for Runcorn Rowing Club (UK).
Thursday 20th November 2003
- Some London Tideway notices (UK) from the Putney Winkle (a distant relative of the Tideway Slug, who sends me news from time to time). Apparently a car's been driven into the river on Putney Hard early this morning, but the politzei do know about it and should be removing it soon. Plus the Lower Richmond Road Shell Garage where most Tidewayers buy launch petrol is about to close for a refurbishment. Here endeth the Winkle.
Wednesday 19th November 2003
- To go off-topic a bit (but sent to me by a rowing acquaintance and it does involve water) - the Penguins animated gif is a giggle. As my friend said: "do you ever feel like doing this to someone?" (Warning - 444 kb download).
Tuesday 18th November 2003
- From FISA, Athens Olympics Highlighted at FISA Coaches Conference (including some very interesting combined coaches' predictions!).
Saturday 15th November 2003
- Live commentary online from the Rowing Service at the British Indoor Championships, http://www.rowingservice.com/birc03-x.html.
Friday 14th November 2003
- News from the Atlantic: Alan Watson and Miles Barnett of Bright Spark a few days ago had to take on fresh water from the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race support yacht, because their water-maker proved beyond repair. They have continued rowing, but are no longer classified as part of the race. However, they still hope to use their 3000-mile journey to raise lots of money for Cancer UK, the charity both support after the death of one of their coaches, Harry Mahon, from cancer in 2001. More on the racers and other ocean rowers on www.oceanrowing.com.
Thursday 13th November 2003
- Hat-trick master Lawson wins third Wingfields (Rowing Service).
- The official proposed venue list for the 2012 London Olympic bid has been announced. Current favourite for the rowing venue is the Royal Albert Dock, which will be controversial to say the least. Detailed PDF's etc. to download from the official website.
Friday 7th November 2003
- Tideway Scullers School (UK, not a school, nor do they solely scull, though many specialise in it) now has a website.
- Information on Tiffin Small Boats Head (UK).
- I'm told the Wycliffe Small Boats Head (UK) has already received 104 entries, with a limit of 300.
- Results from Kingston Small Boats Head (UK).
Thursday 6th November 2003
- Jim Shekhdar has just set out on Ocean Challenge 2003, his bid to row the Pacific and then Atlantic eastward.
- From FISA, The Mexican Indoor Rowing Room, The outstanding achievements of La Mura and Hong Kong Federation celebrates silver jubilee.
Wednesday 5th November 2003
- The Challenge Business yesterday announced the sale of its ocean rowing races to Woodvale Events Ltd, sponsors of the current Atlantic Rowing Race which began in mid-October. Challenge Business, which has Sir Chay Blyth as its CEO, will be focusing on sailing events, while Woodvale has ocean rower Simon Chalk as its managing director, is more interested in the rowing.
Tuesday 4th November 2003
- Start order for the Hylton Scullers Head (UK) online. No printed copies being sent out, so please print a copy for your club. Results on NERN when ready.
- The RemCatalunya website (northern Spain) has pictures of the local juniors training in Banyoles - on next year's Worlds course.
- Details of Hampton Head (UK) now up.
