Home International Rowing Regatta 2022

On the 23rd July, competitors from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales came together at a sunny Royal Albert Dock in London, to compete in the 54th Home International Rowing Regatta. A total of nine athletes from ASRA were selected as part of the junior men’s and women’s sweep teams. The ASRA athletes headed south full of enthusiasm and confidence, following their recent successes at the British Junior Rowing Championships.

The girls JW4- of Freya Hughson, Rosie Wilson, Gemma Collins & Ella Brooks were racing together for a final time, before Rosie and Gemma head off to university later this summer. They began the day with a strong performance, pushing the English crew all the way to the line, to finish a close second. They then joined forces with girls from 3 other Scottish clubs to compete in the JW8+. They fought hard over the 2000m course; however they were again just pipped to the line by an excellent English crew.

It was then time for the boys JM4+ of Harris Pearce, Magnus Heidenreich, Murray Bone, Samuel Doherty & cox Samuel Cordiner to take to the water. The boys raced hard to earn a third place ahead of the Welsh. Still a relatively young crew, they couldn’t quite keep in touch with the blistering pace set by the more experienced English and Irish crews. Great experience however for next year, where they will undoubtedly come back stronger, wiser and faster. They boys also paired up with other Scottish athletes to race in the JM8+ where they took another well-earned third place.

The day’s racing culminated in a series of new sprint races, introduced for the first time at this year’s event. Despite some initial reservations, this new race format provided some fast and furious racing in both eights and quads. This was thoroughly enjoyed by many spectators, including a significant ASRA contingent, who had lined the length of the course to scream on the crews. Both the Boys and Girls eights powered their way down the course to finish a very close second behind the English. A great way to end a brilliant day, where the ASRA athletes did their country, ASRA and themselves proud.

Bring on next session!