University of Surrey Boat Club

On Saturday 13^th May, USBC sent 24 athletes to Nottingham City Regatta.

Division 1 started with tough conditions and an extremely strong headwind. Being one of the first races of the day, our women’s IM3.2x got hit the hardest by the conditions, finishing 4^th and narrowly missing out on their final.

Next up, out women’s novice coxed four took the water and came 3^rd in their first heat – saving some energy for the tough final they had lined up just over an hour later. The crew of Hattie Case, Megan Pearson, Alex Huber and Lizzie MacCann (coxed by Tsolo Swan) hit the rest of the field by storm and came away with a 1^st place victory.

Following the success of the W.NOV.4+, our women’s novice quad (of Rachel Ebbens, Lizzi Hatch, Cecile Flavin and Holly Stemp) battled past the rest of the crews in their final to also take 1^st place.

With an extremely successful 2 wins out of 3 races, the crews racing in Division 2 were determined to carry on USBC’s achievements.

Our women’s IM2.2x of Charlotte Gill and Lizzi Hatch faced some tough competition. With 3^rd place in their heat, the double secured a place in the final. In an impressive line-up the girls were pleased to come away with 4^th place overall.

One of the biggest races of the day was the men’s IM3 double. With 18 crews to beat, Harry Grassom and George Glenister managed to come away with 3^rd place in their first race.

Having competed at Scullers’ Head in winter, Kieran Dibley raced his first regatta of the season in the single scull, having a brilliant race and coming 5^th overall (having come 3^rd in his heat).

Perhaps one of the most exciting races of the day was our novice men’s coxed four. It was the 4+’s first ever regatta, but the men remained composed throughout. At the 1500m mark, the men were 13 seconds behind the leading crew – Lancaster University. With a huge push in the last 500m, the 4+ took a phenomenal 18 seconds out of their opposition to cross the line in 1^st place. The crew of Jean-Michel Williere, James Robinson, Dominic Taylor-Wilkin and George Walford (coxed by Joanna Walker) placed 3^rd overall in their final.

With the day coming to an end and having already won one race, Holly Stemp partnered up with Jasmine Bone in an IM3 double to secure another fantastic win.

Our last race of the day saw a women’s IM3.4x of Ellie Stevens, Megan Moloney, Anika Piezka and Aoife Luscombe place 4^th overall in an extremely tough draw.

Leaving Holme Pierrepoint with 16 more trophies than before, USBC are excited for the rest of the regatta season.