BIRC 2000
Rivermead Leisure Centre, Sunday 26th November 2000
Full results and pictures were uploaded to the Concept 2 UK website during the day's racing.
Live-written reports on this webpage are shown in reverse race order. The page was not updated during races, as there is no phone point in the race hall, but was reloaded every few hours.
Race 17: Men 30-39 Hwt heat 1
Finally, the last heat of this age category, in which it is most likely that the medals will be awarded. Last race of the day, but with the likes of Olympic champion Farinia plus Christian Albert and Tony Larkman in it, there's no chance it will be boring. A good start from the premier rank, and Greg Scherkoske runs off in front, Larkman and Albert pacing him behind, with Stephen Basford, Christian Rohcff and Ian "Sheepy" Edmondson next. Up comes Basford, and Gianluca Farina is also rowing powerfully through into the front place as they go through 500 metres. Basford pushing, Nik Fleming also coming up, and these two take over the lead from Farina, and it's Fleming making the running as Rowe also edges through. Just under halfway, Fleming leads, Rowe pushing through Basford into second, Larkman and Farina also trying to reel the leaders in, and this could be anyone's race. Fleming marches steadily on, opening out a decent lead, as Larkman comes back on Rowe, while Farina and Julian Thomkinson cut into Basford. Larkman goes into second, but a long way behind Fleming, and now Neil McMullan is stampeding through the pack into third place. McMullan pushing Larkman hard, Fleming's lead starting to disappear, 300 metres to go and Larkman's surging again. Now Larkman and McMullan are closing on Fleming, leaving the rest behind, Fleming's hanging on and he has twenty strokes left. Larkman's coming, 50 metres to go, Farina's going for McMullan, Larkman levels the lead, Larkman goes in front, the crowd's going wild, over the line! It's a hugely well-deserved win for Tony Larkman in 6:05.1 (gold), Nik Fleming taking silver 0.7 seconds later, and Neil McMullan holding off a fantastic late charge from Farina to take bronze by 0.1 seconds.
Race 17: Men 30-39 Hwt heat 2
A treat for any remaining paparrazzi photographers still hanging around, as Angus Fraser, the England bowler, takes his place in the third row, ready to pull his heart out. They're off, and it's a big pack off quickly, with Trevor Chambers, Graham Barrett, Irwin Weininger, and Chris Smith making early showings. Andrew Sansom also looking strong, and as the computer rearranges it's Barrett, Weininger, Sansom and Andrews at the top, but with Chambers already surging past Andrews with Smith in his wake. Weininger is pulling a 1:30 split, so this is going to be a fast heat, and he and Barrett start to edge away from Sansom and Chambers as they reach 600 gone. Meanwhile other names creeping up the board are James Lee, Martyn Jenkins, and Jan Van Den Heever (a useful name if ever I heard one). Now Chambers is pushing throuh Sansom, and attacking Barrett in second, while Weininger sits out in front ahead of the pack. Chambers is doing a great job here, moving into second at the halfway mark, but Barrett's not letting go, and meanwhile there's Van Den Heever creeping quietly up into fourth and starting to challenge the leaders. They're reeling Weininger in, and it's Chambers and Van Den Heever neck and neck on adjacent ergs, Van Den Heever going through Chambers at 700 to go and pushing towards Weininger. Chambers responds, and also closes on the leader, and with 500 metres left, Van Den Heever and Chambers and Sansom all break through Weininger, who drops back. Now it's Sansom coming through Van Den Heever, Chambers between them, and all three covered by two metres. Up comes James Kerr from a nearby erg, and he and Sansom are blasting through the leaders now. 200 to go, Sansom has taken the lead, Kerr, next, then Van Den Heever, Chambers, and from nowhere, Will Whitmore comes racing up. This is a phenomenal finish from all the first rank. It's Sansom in first, 6:19.4, then Kerr, Whitmore, Chambers, Van Den Heever Barrett, barely four seconds covering the lot. Angus Fraser comes in with a more than respectable 6:42.
Race 26: Men 30-39 Hwt heat 1
The largest single category of indoor rowers is this age-group, so they are in three heats, with this lot seedest lowest, but there can always be some surprises. A rollicking start from Gary Curtis, Robert Alderson, and close behind, Robert Honey and Mark Nowell. Also racing in this heat, hiding quietly in the second row of ergometers, is Leander's new Chief Coach Mark Banks, in his oldest and scruffiest rowing kit, and with photographer John Shore lurking to catch him with his inhibitions down in the throes of effort (and his outrageous false start). Quarter-way through, Gary Curtis still in front, and Graeme Rowe is coming through in the first rank with Bruce Hedley and Bruce Alexander. Curtis's lead is being shot to bits as they approach the halfway point, and Nowell and Hedley catch and pass him head to head, Rowe also coming through fast. It's Hedley who takes the edge first, every stroke going a little bit further away from Nowell. 700 to go, Hedley from Nowell from Row, Honey catching fast and Alexander also making a push for it. Nowell and Hedley surging ahead of the others, Nowell making another move. Here he comes, Nowell going through Hedley, Rowe just behind, and they have just 250 metres left. Hedley trying to push back, Rowe catching him steadily, Honey's through Alexander, and Nowell's hanging on a few metres in front. Last few strokes, now Rowe's up with Hedley and passing him just before the line. Nowell from Rowe from Hedley (by 0.1 seconds), in this third and slowest heat of the M30-39H event, the winning time being 6:24.8. Meanwhile in rank 2, women's champion Debbie Flood turns the tables on her coach, Mark Banks, and commiserates with him as he rolls exhausted off the erg.
Race 25: Men 30-39 Lwt
First to show, with some sprinty rates, are Duncan Paterson, Cahal McAuley,l Ricky James, with Andrew Brown and Adrian Pettitt in the frame too. James's fast start doesn't last, and he drops back, with Paterson and McAuley leading from Pettitt. Nearing 500 metres gone, Paterson's getting into a comfortable lead, Simon Barnes creeping up on Pettitt and McAuley. Just behind them we have Andrew Matthews and Ricky James coming back, Hagan Jahnich on their heels. 800 gone, Paterson's moving ever further ahead, and Pettitt passes McAuley but has to watch out for Matthews and Barnes, now knocking on the medal door. Matthews is up into second, Barnes to third, Pettitt not giving up though, and James beginning to come through a fading McAuley. 750 to go, and Paterson's lead is 20 metres, Matthews and Barnes in a ding-dong battle just clear enough of Pettitt, who has enough challengers, but they aren't yet within reach of a medal. Last 300 metres, Paterson's going for Karl Yost's record time, Barnes puts on a push and goes through Matthews, Adrian Wells closing hard on James and Matthews. It's a real race for bronze now, and Wells could even perhaps get silver: a remarkable push to the line from this guy. Paterson gold, but outside the record, Barnes second, less than a second clear of Wells getting third. But there's an outsider in the second row, Richard Young just sneaking in a second behind Paterson, and he gets silver, with Barnes taking bronze.
Race 24: Men 40-44 Hwt
Whirring of ergometers as they get away first time, Adrian Brazener, Marcus Harvey, Sean Tunney, and defending champion Nigel Glover all in the first rank. As they settle, it's Brazener from Stephen McCullagh, from Harvery, Tunney and Glover, with a strong David Koss shifting steadily towards the front, and Kevin Corcoran challenging off a slower start. 550 gone, Brazener only has a slight lead, and Glover's pulling strongly to move up towards the front, with Tunney. They move into second/third, and Tunney takes Brazener at 1200 metres, Glover just centimetres behind. This is going to be a very close race for all the medals, just a few metres covering all five leaders, and now Brazener failing fast, as Tunney steadily draws away from Glover. Can the defending champion find another gear to attack back? Koss moving up, Russell Lloyd also surging, Corcoran going hard. 750 to go, and it's Tunney, Glover, Harvey spread through a few metres, Koss in fourth. Harvey and Glover gunning for Tunney but the Dubliner isn't having any of it, and every stroke he takes is increasing his lead by a small but vital margin. 450 to go, Glover's sprinting hard, closes back on Tunney and stops the drift, pulling away from Harvey, Corcoran also closing in, and the champion thinks he can do it. Glover coming fast, 250 to go and they're level, Tunney kicks back, Glover tries again, it's stroke by stroke, nothing in this, uncallable with 90 metres to go. Everyone else is way behind, Tunney surges one more time, Glover matches him, and they dead heat! The time is 6:12.9, 0.3 seconds outside Glover's championship record, set in 1998. Corcoran took third, just one second quicker than Harvey, and the judges have an extended discussion to work out how to award that race. Mission Impossible comes over the speakers, and they decide it's a gold for each of them.
Race 23: Men 45-49 Hwt
No Andy Ripley any more, as he's finally moved up an age category, so this collection of rowers heave a collective sigh of relief and get on with their race. John Ewans impresses immediately, roaring out with William Smith and Andrew Millar hot on his heels, Des Jenson and Bob Smith also going fast. Bob Smith doesn't settle quite as far, and is quickly pulling his way back into third place, William Smith just after him, and Ewans and Millar ahead. Bob Smith's looking very unstoppable, despite a slightly slower start, and by 700 gone, he's past Millar into second place and only a few metres behind Ewans in first. Back in fourth, it's William Smith from Des Jenson, as with the halfway point approaching, Bob Smith has closed the lead down to a bare metre, and is still gaining ground. A hundred metres later Bob Smith has first place, and as Ewans fades, Millar comes back into second place, and Wayne Howard begins to reel the leaders in. 550 to go, it's Bob Smith just slightly in front of Millar who is gaining ground, Howard now in fourth behind Ewans. Millar nudges Smith aside, and starts to pull away, Millar now looking very strong, Bob Smith clearly ahead of third place, Howard moves into third as Ewans drops back. Jenson now overtaking Ewans, the leaders coming to the line, and it's Millar in gold, Bob Smith in silver, Howard takes bronze.
Race 22: Women U23 Hwt heat 2
This time it's the higher-seeded men's heavyweight U23's, who promptly false-start, but get away OK the second time. This has the bigger names of the U23 category, including medallists from this year's Nation's Cup. Blasting off go an OUBC contingent, Oxford President Dan Snow leading, with Ben Burch close behind. Their CUBC rivals are only just behind, Tom Edwards-Moss and Chris Hobcroft in third and fourth places, wtih James Livingston and Tom Stallard not far back. Through 800 gone, Dan Snow still in charge, and Hobcroft has fallen victim to Edwards-Moss and Livingstone. Now Edwards-Moss goes for Burch, and with both Stallard and Hobcroft coming back through, there's a real battle on. 750 to go, Snow still in front by about ten metres, Edwards-Moss is through Burch and looking strong, Hobcroft now coming back at Burch as Ben Clare looks threatening lower down. Clare's taking Hobcroft as Stallard holds him off, and it's now Snow from Edwards-Moss from Burch, with Stallard advancing on the final medal. 350 to go, Snow still in the lead, the pack closing steadily though, Burch just behind Edwards-Moss, Stallard going for Burch, Clare going for Stallard, Hobcroft back in the frame. 150 to go, Snow safe, Burch just holding off the three challenging for bronze, Edwards-Moss slowing pace a little, Burch pushing past him, neck and neck, anyone's race for the last medals. Snow wins in 6:02.8, Edwards-Moss and Burch in that order 0.1 seconds apart behind him, for the three medals, all taken by students.
Race 21: Men U23 Lwt heat 2
The second heat of the U23 men's lightweights, the higher-seeded rowers in this one, racing off in the front rank. A few of the back-rankers row off jumping the start, but only those in the front 20 get called back in this race-type, and they're all away without a problem. It's Tom Adams from Andrew Adams quickly, with Nicolas English and Jamie Bottomley cruising up fast. English pushes through Andrew Adams before 500 metres, and with Bottomley in fourth, he's being challenged by Mark Bullock, with Alex Brooks now coming up fast too. Tom Adams comes back up, English now out in front, but Tom Adams close to him, and then a gap back to Bottomley in third place, just holding off Bullock. Splits below 1:34 for the leaders here, as they pass the halfway mark, and now Bottomley starts to establish a better lead over fourth- and fifth-placed Bullock and Adams. These guys are nowhere near home safe yet though, with Ben Bowles and Alex Brooks starting to surge forward, and Bottomley is going to have to work hard to keep ahead of this lot. 700 to go, and at the front English is still in charge, a few metres up on Tom Adams, who is safely ahead of Bottomley. Bowles moves into fourth, killing off Brooks, Bullock and Andrew Adams, and he's closing rapidly on Bottomley who is in third position. English has rallied further ahead of Tom Adams, and Bottomley's just holding off Bowles at the 200 to go marker. English uncatchable now, Adams also securely in a medal position, and Bottomley's lifted it again to hold off Bowles, as the chasing pack starts to catch. It's English from Tom Adams, from Bottomley, and English has broken his own U23L record by eight clear seconds. BUSA medals awarded to the same three, as well.
Race 20: Men's U23 Hwt heat 1, and Lwt heat 1
In the intervals between races the commentators are playing Radio 2 hits and offering themselves out for hire at weddings and bar-mitzvahs, as well as telling off the oblivious spectators standing in the aisles. What have we done to deserve it?
The U23 hopefuls at both weight classes blast off like tornadoes. Tom Solesbury, Eric Boldon just at the tip of a dense pack, with Simon Gough edging through to show first in the lead as the race computer rearranges. Gavin Weeks also beginning to pick up space, andnow in third over Solesbury and behind Boldon. Matthews Langton and Smith matched stroke for stroke in the fourth and fifth places, but Weeks is dropping back, and they soon move up. 900 gone, and it's Gough from Boldon and Smith, Langton a whisker behind, Weeks surging back, and Nicholas O'Grady edging forward. The rowers in both these categories are the lower-seeded ones so it unlikely that the medals will come from these races, with the second heats yet to come. 700 to go, it's still Gough hanging on with Boldon on his tail, Smith a little bit further clear of Weeks, with O'Grady barging past Langton and now attacking Weeks. Less than 500 to go, Smith and Boldon reeling Gough in, Weeks has stopped and O'Grady's into fourth place, but he may not be able to make up enough time to get third. Gough is still just metres in front, Smith's trying desperately to catch Boldon, with 200 metres to go, Chris Lloyd and Matthew Pinckney have overtaken O'Grady. Gough looks like he can make it, but Smith is pushing Boldon hard and second place could go to either. Last few strokes, Gough first by two seconds, Boldon second by 0.4 seconds from Smith.
Race 19: Men's Open Lwt
More lightweights, this time the men's category, straight off the blocks with Jeremy Fagan and Brian Ulliott leading. Splits in the mid-1:35's for this bunch, and Richard Wilder and Neil Gear also keeping up with the pace. 350 gone, Ulliott has the edge, but Wilder's now coming through and looking strong, while Simon French and Andrew Hull are slower challengers below fourth place. Wilder from Ulliott from Fagan, closely and evenly spaced, with French moving towards Gear. Wilder increasing his lead, Ulliott still has second, French has passed Gear as Fagan stays steadily in the bronze position. Wilder now undersplitting the rest by 1.5 seconds, Fagan and French close on Ulliott's heels, Wilder moving quickly away. Gear's got the bit between his teeth, coming back on French, both of them closing on Fagan, and Tim Jarreatt is progressing up the field into sixth place now. Gear's got third place back now, French dropping back a little, Fagan unable to match the attack, and Gear also closing on Ulliott. 500 to go, Wilder very strongly out in front, Ulliott now being chased by three rowers, French is passing Fagan into fourth, Fagan fighting back. Wilder has 200 to go, clear by 40 metres, Gear's only a couple of strokes down on Ulliott, and these three will share the silverware: Adam Mirams has ripped through the pack into fourth but can't get a medal. It's Wilder first, Gear overtaking Ulliott on the line for second and third respectively.
Race 18: Women's Lwt Open and U23
Several of these are eligible for BUSA lightweight medals too. Off to a flying start, Julia Warren, Amy Finch, Kelly Lloyd, and Pat Hockley quick off the blocks but plenty of challengers. Verity Butler also looking good, matching and now passing Warren, but Lucy Algeo hiding on the far side of the rank, now moving into the lead. It's Algeo from Butler, Warren and Jo Hammond, with Hammond pushing to the front of the pack, past Algeo - these two are both U23's. Back in fifth and sixth place are Lisa Frawley and Hazel Machie. 600 gone, Hammond pulling out to a slight lead, and Warren putting Algeo under pressure, while Frawley challenges Butler. Half-way, and Warren is matching Algeo, Machie also drops Butler, and Warren's now in second place. Warren taking a go at Hammond now, looking unstoppable and staking a claim for the Open lightweights over the U23's. 600 to go, Warren is only a few metres off Hammond, Algeo well clear of Frawley behind, Michie and Butler staggered back a little. Hammond surges away again with a few hundred metres left to row, Warren still stalking her, but Hammond looking very strong. A few metres a position in the top five, Hammond still holding on, Warren trying to close again. Fifty metres left, Jo Hammond will do it, and takes the U23L gold, beating all the open lightweights. Behind her the other U23 medals go to Lucy Algeo (silver) and Hazel Michie (bronze) in third and fifth overall places respectively. The second place overall goes to Julia Warren (Open gold), fourth to Lisa Frawley (Open silver), and despite the tusselling in the front rank, Karen Price comes through from one of the back ergometers to claim third place. BUSA medals to all three.
Race 17: Women U23 Hwt heat 2
Heat two has more of the U23 women, including some of the seeded rowers. A clean start, and the first to show are Helen Fenhoulet, Zara Muirhead-Smith, Gemma Davies, and Sarah Cottell. As they reach 250 gone, it's Cottell from Muirhead-Smith and Davies, with Rachel Gill and Sarah Martin not far back, but under attack immediately from Fenhoulet. Davies is in fine form, pushing right through to silver place, as Fenhoulet shoves Gill and Martin aside to move into third, ahead of Helen Austin. Tracey Matthews now coming through, as is Sarah Langslow, as Fenhoulet goes through Cottell, but Cottell's not giving up without a fight. Gemma Davies is hanging on to third ahead of Austin, and Langslow's split drops to 1:49 as she moves into sixth behind Matthews. Now Cottell's catching Fenhoulet again, the two dropping Davies and Austin, and Langslow has Matthews in her sights and is still coming. 750 to go, Fenhoulet still just in front, Cottell dead-splitting her, Austin now catching Davies a little. Cottell goes level with Fenhoulet at 600 to go, Davies gets her nose in front, Fenhoulet slides back a little, Austin now nearly levelling with Davies, Cottell stays a smidge ahead. 300 to go, Cottell by a metre, then Davies and Austin fighting it out for the bronze and nothing to choose between them. Austin takes Davies, Fenhoulet attacks Cottell again, Cottell holds her off, Fenhoulet can't find anything else to respond with. Cottell first, Fenhoulet second, Austin third, and we wait to see if the times have been beaten by anyone in the earlier heat. No, the results are good. BUSA medals to all three as well.
Race 16: Women Open Hwt and U23 Hwt heat 1
As the fuss dies down, the women take to the ergs, and it's a false start, which gets away cleanly the second time. Focus of attention is U23 world champion in single sculls Debbie Flood, and she gets away well, but with plenty of competition from the women around here, especially Natasha Lane, Andrea Hoskins, Jess Wilson and Jenny Brown. As with the men's race before, there are BUSA medals also up for grabs for any student here. 500 metres gone, and Flood's started to pull away from the chasing pack, while Lane holds on to second by her fingernails, and Kathryn Dacey starts to close on the medal positions. Now Jess Wilson's moving up the ranks, breaks through Lane, and then takes Jenny Brown. Lane fights back and matches Brown, Wilson solidly in silver, Flood pulling away a little. It's Lane neck and neck with Brown and Dacey for third, but all three reel Wilson in a little, as Flood continues to show her class. Dacey coming now, goes past Lane and starts to look towards Wilson with 700 to go. Flood's now 50 metres clear and will not be caught, the only question being how close to Cath Bishop's world and British record of last spring she can get. Wilson pulls away from Dacey and Lane, Nicky Waddell now coming nearer the medallist positions as Brown drops back. Huge excitement in the spectators, Flood has just over 200 to go, the rest of the race nearly 300, and Wilson's clear of Dacey now as Waddell moves past Lane into fourth. Flood's split is 1:43, she's not going to break the records, but it's a fantastic row, finishing in 6:53.8 with Wilson quarter of a minute behind in silver medal place. Dacey only just holds off Waddell to take bronze by 0.3 seconds. With half the U23 women yet to come in the next heat, placings for that event are still undecided, but BUSA openweight medals go to Flood, Wilson and Waddell.
Race 15: Men's Open heat 2
This is the second heat of the Men's Open event, with the seeded rowers, and containing a fascinating race-off in the middle of the front rank. We have Olympic 8+ champion Kieran West versus Mario Palmiso, the latter from the Italian men's Olympic eight. And we have Olympic 4- champion James Cracknell versus Lorenzo Carboncini, from the Italian Olympic 4- who took silver behind Cracknell in September. Jurgen Grobler's here to support James, and the galleries of the hall are packed to the gunwales.
No false start. Cracknell surges off rapidly, 1:23 on the split, but Palmisano is right on his heels, West following. Carboncini is in eighth behind them, with the Blues of Oxford and Cambridge filling the gap. Cracknell has a heck of a job to do, competing against these student rowers who have been training since the Olympics, including Kieran West, this year's Cambridge President. But Cracknell has gone out hard and fast, bulleting away, and with a solid 10-metre lead. Next West is challenging Palmisano, and pushing past the Italian, both splitting in the 1:26's, along with Cracknell. A little way back, Ian Weighel has moved past CUBC's Richard Dunn into fifth and is challenging OUBC oarsman Erik Lilledahl for the fourth spot. 800 to go, and now West has gone past Palmisano and is reeling Cracknell in: will his greater fitness hold him in good stead? Carboncini's coming through steadily into fifth now, and Cracknell's holding on, with 500 to go. But West powers it up again, as Weighel challenges Palmisano for the bronze medal. Cracknell takes it up again, only 250 to go, scents victory, and Carboncini is well back, while these two British Olympic champions fight it out. 100 to go, Cracknell still several metres clear, West tries again, Palmisano closes on him, Carboncini fades to seventh, and West holds off Palmisano for silver medal. A superb row from both Olympic champions, and Barcelona champion Greg Searle, who's been commentating, and who is no mean erg monster himself, goes over to congratulate the internationals. Cracknell "I didn't think I could get anywhere near that [5:48.4] but the fantastic response of the crowd pulled me through."
BUSA medals were presented to Kieran West (gold), Ian Weighel (silver) and Erik Lilledahl (bronze). Presenting the prizes was England bowler Angus Fraser, who is competing later in the day.
Race 14: Men's Open heat 1
The sheer weight of numbers means that half the men's Open event takes place first, which includes all those with predicted times around 6:15 or longer. This means that there is only a low chance that anyone in this heat will win the Men's Open category, since the following heat (including four Olympic medallists) all have faster predicted times, Nevertheless, there is a race to row and the winner of this heat will have a lot to be proud of. And there's a blanket start in the top rank, taking a couple of hundred metres to settle down and shake out, with Luke Sedge, Martin Stridde, Nicko Dalton and David Chapman at the top end. Coming through strongly a little later are Brian Palm and Jon Beresford. Dalton makes a strong move through 500 gone, and Palm also surges well as he hits his stride, with Craig Wood and Alistair Metcalfe edging through Sedge and Stridde. Coming into the halfway point, it's Dalton opening up an increasing lead from Palm, with Wood starting to push away from Metcalfe. Dan Darley and Daniel Pring are in sixth and seventh place but accelerating, although there is a distance to catch up, as the leaders are spreading away from the pack. Now Palm closes on Dalton's lead with 400 to go, Wood a little way back, and Dalton can't find another gear, so Palm's coming through rapidly. Just under 300 to go, and Palm takes the lead, Wood also now closing on Dalton, Darley moving into fourth. Last hundred metres, Palm notches it up again to cross first, and Wood is only 0.1 seconds behind Dalton. Remember that these rowers have only positioned in their heat: the big boys are yet to come and are probably going to walk off with the medals.
Race 13: Women 30-39 Hwt/Lwt
A computer-induced hiccup before this race, keeping the athletes waiting for a couple of minutes while the cables were refixed. Lightweight British record holder Nicky Dale rows in this, but her openweight counterpart Miriam Batten is now retired. Two false starts in the first rank slow things up again, and while the rest of the rowers carry on blasting, the top women are finally away. Louise Carey, Kate Hewitt, Sally Horrocks, Jane Fisher and Jennifer Woods all off well, and all heavyweights, while the top lightweights showing are Christina Nugent, Sharon Colley and Serena Crump. Nicky Dale is rowing openweight today, and holds seventh place as the rowers approach 500 metres, by this time Carey well in charge from Woods and Horrocks. But here comes Kate Hewitt, roaring through the upper rankings, taking Horrocks in a few short strokes and now right up alongside Woods in joint second place. Carey's out in front, but now Hewitt's winning a titanic battle for second, and gets herself into silver position just as they pass 1250. Nicky Dale and Jane Fisher now fifth and fourth respectively, but closing on Woods, and Carey's keeping her clear lead ahead of Hewitt, who has a lot to do. In the ligthweights, Crump has the lead from Nugent and Colley, but Nugent is close on Crump's heels. 800 to go, and Hewitt is steadily but very slowing closing the gap, Carey no longer has much of a buffer zone, and these two rowers are on adjacent ergs, so they know what's happening, every stroke. Woods falters and lets Fisher through, and then Dale, but the top three are probably clear enough for the medals. Hewitt only a few metres down on Carey with 500 to go, but Carey's splitting better: can she hang on? Fisher now closing on Hewitt, Carey pulls away a little, and down the pack Serena Crump is still in charge of the lightweight race and moving rapidly away. Back to the front, Carey now picking up speed again, Fisher is only a couple of metres off Hewitt, the race is on for silver and they have just strokes to go. Carey first, Hewitt from Fisher by 0.4 seconds, and the lightweights come in Crump, Colley, and Sarah Tasker for the medal positions.
Race 12: Men J18 Hwt/Lwt
A very tight start, ten of the openweights rushing off hard, splits in the 1:30's. First to show in front is Thomas Baumann, with Paul Blanc and Steven Redgewell next, then Matt Langridge and Andy De Quidt. 400 gone, and the splits still showing 1:30, as Baumann moves out to a clear lead, Paul Blanc recovering from a slight drop to keep hold of second, ahead of a challenging Langridge. Now Langridge pushes it harder, and drops his split again to take him past Blanc, while Chris Mollison of Leander is shoving his way through the lower places to reach fourth. In the lightweights, Luke Taylor is in the lead, from Christopher Williams, James Wright and Boris Batine. Back to the heavyweights, and Langridge is neck and neck with Baumann, and going into the lead. But here comes Mollison, closing hard on Blanc, as Langridge opens up a few metres from Baumann. Blanc holds off Mollison, Baumann gets away from both, Langridge now totally in charge and ten metres clear. Up from the pack comes Broadway, nearing Mollison, and in the lightweight race Wright has now pushed past Williams and is challenging Taylor. 400 to go, and back at the front Langridge is storming away, Mollison is passing Blanc, Broadway also nearing the medal positions, and the race is toughest for bronze as Langridge extends his lead to nearly 100 metres. Mollison and Broadway neck and neck, and it's Langridge from Baumann, with Mollison snatching third. Lightweights, Taylor holds off Batine, who had cruised through Wright and Williams, the former holding onto third place. Langridge's win particularly interesting, as he pretty well cruised that at even splits, keeping it around 1:32 right the way through.
Race 11: Men J16
More competitive schoolboys, and Jonathan Foster opens the bidding with a split of 1:26 as he powers off, well ahead of Robert Hollis, Alexander Gregory and Rob Friend. Foster's still blasting, rowing long and steady and nearly 20 metres up on Gregory. Dmitrij Phoursa comes through into fourth and challenges for third as Friend drops back, and now Scott Rennie is moving up the ranks in the middle of the pack, killing them off one by one. Foster has a stranglehold now, opening up an increasing gap over Gregory, and now Phoursa's in third, and Scott Rennie challenges Hollis for fourth. There is still a way to go in this, 800 metres, and the quick movers are still going strong. Gregory starts to haul Foster in a little, the lead is now only ten metres, and Rennie's taken Phoursa, with Jonny Smith-Willis also pushing forward. Foster moves back out, now seems unassailable, Rennie attacks Gregory and takes him, Smith-Willis now in fourth and looking at the bronze medal. 300 to go, Rennie closes on Foster a little, Smith-Willis moves past Gregory, Rennie launches the most tremendous challenge, closes the gap to a few metres. Here it goes in the last hundred metres, Foster from Rennie by a short head, Rennie closing, the counters ticking down, Foster pushing hard, metres to go, and Foster just does it, the race of a champion from first to last, with Rennie superbly taking silver, and putting his name up for the future as well as Smith-Willis comes in with bronze.
Race 10: Men J15 and J13
This time Will Loughborough and Ryan Davies leap away from the pack, Luke Zakrewski not as quick off the start, and Tom Davies and David Merchant also pushing through. 300 out, Ewan Baird is rising up the rankings, and Luke Zakrewski starts to edge nearer the leaders. Loughborough looks confident, though, and Merchant is passing Ryan Davies as Baird moves into fourth behind them. 800 gone, Merchant is eroding Loughborough's lead steadily, Baird now challenging Ryan Davies, and Zakrewski's getting closer too, dragging Alex Farrow with him as they approach the leaders. Just over half-way, Merchant's taken the lead, and Ryan Davies also powering through Loughborough, Baird close on his heels. Now Farrow's past Zakrewski and looking at a medal place, and way back Benedict Maxwell and Stuart Round are fighting it out for the J13 race. Back at the top end, Merchant moves away, Loughborough's now out of contention, and Baird neck and neck with Davies for silver. Farrow in fourth, also challenging Davies as Baird moves out into second place, and Farrow passes Davies, Loughborough grimly holding off Zakrewski in fifth and sixth places respectively. Merchant still holding solidly onto gold, with only 250 to go, and Baird staying just ahead of Farrow, who is putting on an astonishing final sprint. It's Merchant, Baird, Farrow as they approach the line, and they take gold, silver and bronze in that order, Davies only a second behind Farrow in fourth. Now looking at the J13's, and James McNaughton has moved into first from Timothy Messent and Stuart Round, with Maxwell fourth, and McNaughton takes gold, with Messent and Round silver and bronze a few metres behind.
Race 9: Men J13 youngsters and J14
After a short break for Olympic champion Steve Trapmore to present the medals to the winners of the first eight races, we recommence racing. This is the J14 and J13 men, with the usual suspects from last year, plus a load of new names. And it's Mark Lord, Matthew Russan, Jonathan Brownley and Andrew Walker off first, Lord and Brownley going into the first two positions together. Top J13 isn't on the results screen, so we will have to wait to see who goes off fast in that race. Rob Francis and Daniel Tipney come into third and fourth at 1400 metres, as Lord fades, and we also have Richard Snow moving up. Lord recovers some ground, but has Michael Kelly just in front of him, and meanwhile Brownley and Walker are having to push very hard to hold off Tipney and Francis. 800 to go, Brownley is still ahead, but now Tipney edges in front of Walker, and Francis takes it up another notch. They're gaining ground on Brownley all the time, but will there be enough space for them to overtake him, or can he pull a win out and hold them off? Walker now going back again at Tipney, upping the rate and closing like a train on Brownley, just 400 metres to go and the crowd are screaming. Walker gets to within a metre of Brownley, Tipney is safe in third over Francis, Walker goes into the lead, Brownley goes up a gear and retakes Walker. 200 to go, Walker puts his nose in front again, this is the most fantastic race, Brownley gets back, Walker tries again, Brownley holds him off, Walker levels, Walker gets it, that was the most fabulous, exciting race I've seen here for a very long time. These two thirteen-year-olds swapped the lead more than a dozen times, both cracked Luke Zakrewski's to set a new record time of 6:40, and they finished just 0.5 seconds apart. Wow! Daniel Tipney came third, and the nine and ten-year-olds pulling the J13 race did brilliantly, several personal bests.
Race 8: Women J16, J18L and J18H
The last race of the morning session, three events, and another clutch of previous winners and record holders, including the amazing quadruple competition record holder Beth Rodford, now moving up another age category. Can she pull it off for a fifth time in a row, and this time take the J18 prize, stepping up from J16? No false starts this time, and Rodford stakes her claim, quickly out with Crystal McLeod in J16 matching her stroke for stroke. Michaela Erskine, J Cook and Rebecca Kayll also out fast, these two both also J16's. Looks like the youngsters have set out to blast the older girls off the face of the race! MacLeod leads Rodford, but will she pay for it later, and now Erskine passes Rodford, the two just inches apart. Back in sixth place Felicity Bertram and Katie Saunders are steadily moving towards Cook, and claiming back some of the J18 pride. In the J18L race, it's Ledwidge who leads from Westman and Bryan. 800 gone, Erskine and Rodford closing on MacLeod, but she's still holding a better split than them, but then Erskine has another go, and closes up fast. Rodford stalking just behind, rowing a tactical race, and Bertram is also edging nearer, now picking off the J16 girls one by one. Erskine takes MacLeod with 750 to go, Rodford just behind, and Bray has now moved up into the third medal J18H position. MacLeod is going to storm the J16 race, from Kayll and Cook, but now Rodford's getting ever closer. Erskine pushes on, moving away from Rodford, less than 500 to go, and Bray's looking very dangerous, Bertram and Saunders also picking up pace. In the lightweight race, Westman has moved past Ledgwidge, , with Lackermeier just behind. 250 to go, Erskine's still solidly in the lead, Rodford and Bray now neck and neck for the silver, Bray pushes past, and Rodford can't respond. It's Erskine, Bray, Rodford in the J18, MacLeod well clear of Cook and Kayll in the J16, and Westman from Ledwidge and Lackermeier in J18L.
Race 7: Women J14 and J15
A very full race, with a false start from an over-eager girl in the front row. H Greene off quickl, Georgina Percy and Tamson Adams following, Percy pushing through Greene quickly. Hannah Welling and Emma McLauchlan in the J15 race also looking strong, McLauchlan mounting a blistering attack at 400 gone as she gets into her stride. In the J14 class it's Greene in front, leading Katherine Scott and with Christina Hoad blasting through them both. McLauchlan moves into a very strong lead, Percy begins to fade, as Natasha Page comes through in the upper age class too. Page impressed last year in the J14's, and is now closing hard on McLauchlan, with Welling and Louisa Pickworth stalking just behind the two leaders. Hoad in the J14 race led for a while, but is now falling prey to Green and Julia Gilbert, and struggling a little. Halfway through, and Page has taken over the lead from McLauchlan, with Welling nolding off Pickworth and Gilbert looking extremely impressive in overall fourth place and leading the J14's. McLauchlan is not letting Page get away, and with 750 to go, it's still very tight, although these two now have a good advantage over the rest of the pack. Greene's still on Gilbert's heels, but Gilbert's passing Welling and going into third place overall, a tremendous row. Page pulling away from McLauchlan, Gilbert still slicing through the J15's, challenging for second now, and Green is being pushed by Scott for the silver medal in the J14 race. Page is going to get this, just 250 to go, but behind her will Welling hold off Pickworth for bronze, and although McLauchlan looks good for silver, can she beat the impertinent youngster Gilbert, going for a second place overall while winning her J14 race in style. The crowd yells, Page crosses the line in 7:28.9, outside Beth Rodford's J15 time but a well-judged win. McLauchlan takes J15 silver, Gilbert behind her by a scant 0.6 seconds taking the J14 title, and Welling picks up J15 bronze. Silver and bronze in J14 are Greene and Scott.
Race 6: Women J13
And they're off, the first junior race of the day, and Mary Dixon takes a quick lead, but with Sarah Fisher and Jenny Webster chasing her hard. As they settle down, Sarah Payne is also looking strong, with Philippa Turner and Charlotte Le Blanc-Smith popping through into fourth place. The splits are in the 1:50's for this group, as they reach 400 metres gone. Now Alix Walker is surging forward and challenging the leaders, as Dixon pays for her fast start and drops back. Now it's Walker from Turner from Le Blanc-Smith, with Webster close. Faridah Newman begins to strengthen and push through, Webster picks up some pace and starts to attack Le Blanc-Smith, and Walker's still holding onto her lead at 1200 to go. Now Newman has third place, and is shoving through Turner into second, while S Farndon has passed Le Blanc-Smith, but Webster rallies and holds on. Newman now up with Walker, and as they go past 900 to go, she goes into first place, a very strong and solid row from the Hollingworth Lake rower who holds the British record for under-12's at 8:14.1 but has Beth Rodford's record in the higher age category of 7:41.5 to go for. 500 to go, Turner's now neck and neck with Walker, Webster in fourth. Newman opening up a tremendous lead, with only 300 metres left to go, and as Webster passes the fading Walker, she and Turner are fighting it out for the two minor medals. Newman first, ten seconds outside Rodford's time, Turner second, holding off Webster by three seconds. However, Newman's birthday is not until next April, so she has broken her own Under-12 record by a storming 23 seconds.
Race 5: Men 50-54H: Hwt 50-54, 55-59
Battle of the titans in the lower age race, with Andy Ripley and Martyn Low, both rugby players, against each other. Ripley holds the GBR and world records. Terry Lees leads both of them off, Ripley just behind him, and Tim Crooks and Jim Skelly not far back. In the older race, Tom Hinsby leads record holder Arnold Cooke to begin with. As they go through 400 metres, Ripley pulls ahead of the pack, and opens out a strong lead from Lees and Skelly, while Cooke starts to edge steadily back towards Hinsby in the 55-59H race. Some very strong rowing going on, Ripley cruising at a split of 1:32.2, while Skelly begins to move ahead of Lees and Crooks, and Cooke now powers his way through Hinsby. 800 to go, Ripley is increasing his lead even more, as his split starts to slide up towards 1:33. Can he break his own world or British records? Martyn Low comes up into contention too. Now Peter Summers has moved his way towards the front and is in bronze medal position, Arnold Cooke only just behind him and strongly clear of the nearest 55-59H challenger. Ripley's on for a new race-meet record, Skelly behind him and then Low, who has broken through Summers, the two taking the minor medals. Cooke wins 55-59H, in front of David Brierley and Tom Hinsby.
Race 4: Men 40-59L: Lwt 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59
Running slightly late, but steadily catching up, and now the lightweight veteran men are on the floor. The hall is organised with two front rows this year, one on each side, but it gives commentators Nigel Mayglothling and Terry O'Neill more to keep an eye on. Handfuls of previous medal winners and record holders in these four races: George Meredith, Roger Prowse, Graham Price. And after a rapid start, Price leads off (40-44L), with John Brooks and Tony Searby only metres behind him. In the 45-49L race, Peter English is just clear of Lee Holdaway and Frank Birch, while George Meredith is the top 50-54L leader at the beginning, and Roger Prowse heads up the 55-59L race. 1000 metres gone, and all four leaders still in control, but Brooks and Searby having a tremendous tussle, which brings them closer to Price, the overall leader. David Hislop is pushing towards Searby for the 40-44L bronze as they come into the last 300 metres, and Birch is edging towards English, but the Chesterman is keeping himself a few metres clear. The biggest race is the one for silver in 40-44L, Brooks and Searby dead level, and Brooks just takes it by a whisker. Winner 40-44L is Price, in 45-49L it's English, just outside his own British record. In the older categories, Meredith takes 50-54L, and Roger Prowse wins 55-59L, both well outside the national and world categories.
Race 3: Women 40-49: Hwt/Lwt 20-44 and 25-99
A race with some seriously hard women in it: Helen Mangan and Sarah Springman leading off the W40-44 light and heavy categories respectively: both previous indoor rowing winners, and Mangan the current world record holder in her category. Springman comes over from Switzerland each year for this race, and blasts off the blocks, rapidly opening out a dominant lead and cruising through the first 1000 metres inside world record pace. Mangan also well in charge of the lightweights, and closing on Anna Bailey, the W45-49 heavyweight leader, but both are a long way down on Springman. In the W45-49 light race, the leader is Sylvia Speechly from Worcester. 300 to go, and Mangan has nearly caught Bailey, and goes through her, into second position overall, leaving both the leaders chasing new world records. Springman fades just a touch in the last minute, giving her 7:03.6, twelve seconds outside Su Larcombe's record for the category, but Mangan surges through to beat her own record by nearly seven seconds. Winner of W45-49H is Anna Bailey, just outside Mangan, but eighteen seconds quicker than the previous GBR record in this event.
Race 2: Men 60+, seven categories
By the time the most venerable men were on the blocks, the hall was pretty full. This was also a tremendous race, as ninety-year-old John Hodgson set a new world record in the M80L category by TWO huge minutes. Other race winners were Jack Whittaker in M60-64H, John Pitchford in M65-69H, and Michael Collier in M70-79H with a new championship record by seven seconds. Philip Stubley won M60-64L, Geoff Knight successfully defended his M65-69L title, and world record holder Herbert Leah again took the M70-70L gold.
Race 1: Women 50+, eight categories
This wasn't covered live, but already the tone was set for the day, with six records falling. Winners of two races were Rosemary Donaghy (W50-54H) and Rosemary Armstrong (W55-59H). Then Mavis Surridge broke her own W70+L championship time by two seconds, and new British records were set by Gillian Burrell (W60-69L), Brenda Davies (W55-59L), Janet Parker (W50-54L), and Paddy Rouse (W70+H). But the piece de resistance came from Pauline Rayner, who outdid herself to break her own world record in the W60-69H race, by one and a half seconds. Huge applause from the packed aisles and filling seats, and a great start to the competition for the new sponsors PPP Healthcare.