Stratford upon Avon Boat Club mixed masters E crew of Kjersti Rogneflaten Woolley and Thomas Doherty continued their ongoing
personal battle with Derwent Rowing Club over the weekend at Stourport Regatta. The event, held over two days provides challenging racing over 1100m on Saturday and 650m sprint racing on Sunday, attracted a high quality field including clubs from London and the North of England watched by a large vocal crowd on both days.
Stratford was again drawn against National Championship medalists Derwent on both days having raced them previously over two days at Bewdley previously. On the Saturday, racing over the long course with a tail wind and stream which produced a fast race, saw Derwent powering off the start to take a length’s lead by halfway. A strong push by Stratford saw them close the gap but just fade away at the finish to lose by just over a length.
With the sprint race on the Sunday, a change of tactics saw Stratford storm off the start rating 40 strokes a minute and hold a high tempo narrow lead for the majority of the race rating 37 strokes a minute throughout. In an exciting finish cheered on by the watching crowds, Derwent just made their experience tell to pinch victory by half a length.
Said Kjersti Woolley, “This was our best race yet against a quality crew which demonstrates our continued improvement as we prepare for the World Masters in Copenhagen in a month’s time.”
For media coverage, see Stratford Herald p16 and Stratford Observer p36.