Following on from the Novice Men’s Squad win last week, this means that Vesta is rapidly running out of rowers with Novice status!

With entries in the IM1, IM2, WIM1, WIM2, WIM3, N and WN categories, the club was thoroughly represented at all levels of racing and with seven crews entered, Vesta had the largest amount of entries for any club on the day.

After decent performances in the Remenham Head the previous week, expectations were high for the Senior Men and Senior Women and in true Vesta fashion, they did not disappoint.

The Men’s IM1 crew of Cox: Liz Head, Laurence Manning, Christoph Schrader, Rob Shaw, Nick Neveling, Michael Hughes, Alister Campbell, Nick Ireland and Bevan Goulden won their category pennant in a time of 12:18.8.

The Women’s IM1 crew of Cox: Julia Hedley, Emily Trant, Sarah Wood, Lara Brock, Charlie Dempster, Vics McLeod-More, Kat Hedges, Mary Francis and Rahma Barclay was the Fastest Women’s Crew with a time of 13:28.6.

The Women’s IM2 crew of Cox: Katy Hinks, Hilary Blandy, Kitty Lowings, Athene McGregor-McDonald, Aga Siemiginovska, Jenny Douglas, Helen Edwards, Alex Johnson and Vicky Brock won their category pennant in a time of 13:50.7.

For the rest of the Vesta Results, please visit the results page.
Photographs used with kind permission of Birdman Photography, please visit their site for more images.

There were two crews representing Vesta taking part this year, both coming away with good results.

A VetD.4x- comprising of Paul Mew, Robin Purkiss, Michael Hughes & Peter Simpson did well placing 6th out of 11 in their category and 37th overall despite getting over-friendly with a Tyrian coxed four (pictures here).

Vesta/Auriol Kensington had a win in the VetB.4x- category, coming second overall. Starting second, they overtook the crew in front of them quite soon after the start leaving them clear water and perfect conditions all the way to the finish.

The girls were back, showing their class with a 1st/2nd finish in the IM2 2x category, Charlie Dempster and Kitty Lowings finishing just 5 seconds ahead of Kat Hedges and Lara Brock.

Furthermore, the Vesta/Auriol Kensington Vet B/C 2x of Jeremy Burke and Frank ‘the tank’ Raschke won their category in a time of 00:12:36.

A veritable flotilla of Vesta scullers was out representing their club at this year’s Scullers Head.

There were some very positive results from members of all the squads despite many of the participants recovering from the recent illness that had swept through the club.

As per the norm for a Vesta event everything went smoothly and thanks go out to all who helped out with the organisation and running of the event.

Full Results

All Vesta members should be aware of and obey the following local rules:

1. At the turn of the tide, crews will not conduct race rate pieces.
2. At low tide, with an outgoing tide, crews proceeding upstream on the bank between the black buoy and the mile post, will not move out from the bank to overtake other crews.
3. At low tide, with an outgoing tide, crews proceeding downstream between the mile post and the black buoy, will not conduct race rate pieces.
4. With an outgoing tide, proceeding upstream on the Surrey bank, whilst approaching Kew Road Bridge, if a crew or sculler is unable to pass under the inside arch, they must stop. Either wait to pass through the inside arch or wait until a coach can confirm it is clear to pass through the centre arch.

Low tide is defined by the bottom of Barn Elms slipway showing above water.

Exception – a coach can override these rules, so long as the coach is close enough to the crew that the cox or steersmen can clearly hear any command from the coach and the coach is positive that no safety risks exist.