Tag Archives: Helen Helliwell

Stratford’s Novices and Senior Triumph at Worcester and Upton

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Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Novice Coxed quad of Emily Burton, Charlotte Juxton, Helen Helliwell, Sarah Jane Walker plus cox Jen Cary raced at Worcester Regatta on Saturday.

The crew said, “We had a great experience in a loaned boat from Worcester called ‘The Flying Nun’.” The Stratford Novice crew came second to the opposition who were an all male crew: Stratford were given a seven second head start and did themselves and the Club proud by losing only by three seconds! Thanks went to Jen Carey, the cox, for her patience, support and encouragement

Also at Worcester Rowing Club Regatta was Stratford senior sculler Jake Blatcher. His opposition was Birmingham Rowing Club in the semi final which was a tough race where both parties swapped the lead in the early stages but Jake Blatcher kept strong and maintained a good lead towards the end winning by a boat length.

Jake’s final was against Worcester Rowing Club: the wind was stronger for this race and the river was quite choppy making the rowing conditions more challenging. Jake had the lead from the beginning and worked hard to keep this with a two boat lengths distance as he crossed the finish line. Commenting, Jake said, “A rewarding day out!”

Meanwhile, another Stratford’s Novice crew went to Upton. A convincing five length win in their debut race at the Upton Beginners’ Regatta in torrential rain, Stratford’s newest adult crew of Rochelle Jeffrey, Ricky Neault, Sophia Barnard and Paula Belcher, who started the Club’s ‘Learn to Row’ course only in April. Eight crews race each other in two groups in a round robin. A less than ideal footplate setting cost the Stratford crew the second race by a length and the third with a diving oar at the start of the race.  But the crew regrouped, concentrated on form and carried off their fourth, fifth and six races in style, winning four out of six races and the ‘Plate’ group.  “A great comeback for this resilient, determined, thoughtful, crew” commented cox Celia Price. We would like to add a big thanks to Club member John Robinson who volunteered to trailer the two stable boats, promised for the regatta, when the planned tower’s vehicle developed an eleventh hour problem!”

For media coverage, see Stratford Observer online https://www.stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-novices-and-senior-impress-at-worcester-and-upton and Stratford Herald page forty five

Stratford Masters Triumph at Bridgnorth!

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Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Masters Mixed VIII of Charlotte Jones, Rebecca England, Lucy Scarlett, Helen Helliwell, Fiona Schultz, David Philips, David Edwards and Andrew Lear, coxed by Keris, raced at Bridgnorth Regatta on Saturday.

The event was a ‘round robin’ so each crew had three races at 500m: racing was close, providing a great experience especially for those who had never raced (Andrew Lear) and for those who had never raced in an VIII (Lucy Scarlett). Everyone came away excited about future racing and training!

In the afternoon, the Women’s Senior 4+ of Charlotte Jones, Fiona Schultz, Lucy Scarlett and Rebecca England had an eventful time. Unfortunately, the conditions got the better of them and after a couple of misdirected starts, decided that was enough and scratched the last race. They were grateful for the support from the others who were cheering and supported them through the ordeal!

Commenting, Amanda Bowden, Masters Vice Captain said, ”Lots was learnt: onwards and upwards! A huge thanks to the cox Keris who coped with difficult streams and to David Edwards who towed the trailer.”

Meanwhile, back at Stratford on their home stretch of river, Stratford’s junior squads were busy putting in their final training for Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s own regatta this coming Saturday 15 June. Racing will be from the weir to the Club grounds starting at 08.30 and going on throughout the day until 17.00hrs. Great places to watch the racing are from the RST Riverside Café, the Bancroft Gardens and The Rec

Commenting, Dawson Curnock, Stratford Boat Club Chairman and Regatta Secretary said, “It’s going to be a great day: as well as our own crews, we’ll be welcoming regional crews from Kings School Worcester, Evesham Rowing Club, King Edward V1 Boat Club, Clifton College, Monmouth Comprehensive Schools, Ross Rowing Club, AB Severn Boat Club, Royal Grammar School Worcester, Worcester Rowing Club and Bristol Ariel Rowing Club. It really is going to be a clash of the titans! Over one hundred and twenty races: an action packed day for all!”

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page forty five and Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-compete-at-bridgnorth-regatta and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2024/06/14&pages=24

Stratford’s Masters and K.E.S. Weekend of Triumph!

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Congratulations to Heather Hayton winning the WMD1x trophy in style! Heather is no novice to the event: commenting on her win Heather said, “The River Severn is always challenging and Saturday was no different, fast stream and a cross wind. Worcester Spring Regatta was my first race in the 1x this year, it was a positive experience and a good benchmark to work from. Lovely to hear our women’s eight cheer for me on my way down the course!”

The Women’s Masters VIII was coxed by Jen Carey, stroked by new Club member, Californian Adrienne Abreu with Rebecca England making stern pair. Following behind them; Helen Helliwell, Lin Hansen, Charlotte Jones, Fiona Schulz, Gina Fusco, Claudine Pearson, taking bow seat. The crew were grateful for their experienced cox who expertly navigated the long queue for boating, as well as the race with a fast stream. The eight made a powerful and efficient start which settled into a confident rhythm to take the first race against a Worcester.

But river regattas can be unpredictable and Stratford’s opponents in the final were a Bewdley crew whose age difference gave them a six second advantage. The eight were hindered under the umpire’s command at the start costing them dearly; although they gained on their opposition, the advantage was too large to make up.

Amanda Bowden, Masters’ Vice Captain, summed up the event, “I am delighted to see Stratford Masters Women beating the opposition so convincingly in the first round. Winning the event would have been the ideal, however I felt they beat the better crew in the first race. This was another valuable learning experience for all the crews today.”

The earlier division saw David Timmins and Lucy Scarlett race against Birmingham in the first round of the Senior Mixed Doubles. It is early days for this newly formed crew, they went out in the round but had a very good row and enjoyed the race nonetheless. The Masters would like to thank Club Chairman, Dawson Curnock, for towing so early in the morning and Eric Pearson for towing back again.

Also at the weekend, Stratford Boat Club’s sister Club King Edward V1 School Boat Club headed down to Dorney Lake for the Ball Cup Regatta. First down the course for K.E.S. was A. Appleton in WJ17 1x. She had a storming scull to finish second in her heat and comfortably progress to the final. In her final she got off to a better start and finished with a very credible silver medal. Later in the morning the J18 4x of W. Dalrymple-Baker, H.Hoare, A. Mathers and M.Cullimore raced down the course progressing comfortably to the final, in the final they put everything into it but couldn’t quite out perform some strong opposition finishing in fourth place. T. Shields and H. Perry went in the WJ18 2x, this was to be Shields’ first ever race: they put in a very respectable row finishing tenth overall from fifteenth crews.

In the Girls Ball Cup Fours, the K.E.S. crew of M.Rowan, E. Cooper, J. Long, A. Appleton and cox E. Mitchell put in a very impressive performance to pull away and take the win.

Next up were the Boys Ball Cup Fours, K.E.S. had two crews entered: both crews got off to a good start settling in well and put in great performances. The A crew of W. Dalrymple-Baker, H. Hoare, A Mathers, D. Shilvock and cox, E. Mitchell won to take the Ball Cup trophy with the B crew of M.Cullimore, H. Frost, F. Groves, T. Woodcock and cox A. Appleton took the silver.

Finally it was the turn of the WJ18 4x, the crew of M. Rowan, T. Shields, E. Cooper and J. Long had a great race narrowly missing out in the win by less than half a length to take the silver medal. Commenting Hannah Crone, Head of K.E.S. Rowing said, “It was a great day for the squad coming home with five medals and winning both the girls and boys Ball Cup Fours for the second year running!”

For media coverage, please see Stratford Herald page forty four and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/trophy-triumph-at-spring-regatta-9367278 and also Stratford Observer online https://t.co/tLQtd3dK1Y