The revamped Chester Regatta proved a great success with more than 200 crews from 21 clubs producing some of the most exciting racing seen on the River Dee for many a year.
Organisers had devised a unique speed-focused format for 2015 and the changes delivered as the crowd - which included special guests Lord Mayor of Chester Hugo Deynem and Chris Matheson MP - enjoyed a thrilling competition on Saturday.
Regatta chairman John 'Bonner' Davies, who has been a staunch supporter of the event for over 40 years, said: "The regatta committee could not be more pleased by this year's event. We have had so many positive comments from competitors and spectators.
"There are a few wrinkles to sort out for next year, but we have made a great start in turning Chester Regatta back into the must-come event in our region."
Gallery of the 2015 Chester Regatta from photographer Terry Marland:
Senior racing began at 9am with time trials over 1800m and boats then seeded according to speed and divided into groups, ignoring the age, gender and mix of rowers.
In the eights, Royal Shrewsbury School BC (Alex Powell, Patrick George, George Rowley, George Patterson, Gavin O’Dwyer, Nicholas Cabot, Toby Thomas, Freddie Bonthrone and cox Tomas Shiels) beat The King's School RC (Benjamin Monk, Daniel Weatherly, Christian Palmer, Aaron Soutter, Ben Paxton, Alex Slater, Harry Higginbottom, William Bach and cox Wilf Le Brocq) to take the Frost & Holland Cup, sponsored by Mercer & Associates.
Women’s medallists included Liverpool University RC (Emily Holland, Ashling Baggaley, Laura Deacon, Polly Thompson, Alexandra Gariner, Leanne Knight, Lydia Beeken, Bethany Holt and cox Elizabeth Williams) who took the Dee Challenge Cup sponsored by Baker Tilly.
Grosvenor RC (Stella Dixon, Zoe Green, Frances Munro and Carmen Lasok-Smith) were fastest in the fours and took the Heronbridge Bowl sponsored by Rodney Witter.
Trentham BC (Jack Kidd, Thomas Chesworth, Ewan Drakeford and Harry Taylor) collected the Pierce Trophy sponsored by Meacher-Jones Accountants while RSSBC (Barnaby Fox and Bentley Moss) won the Wirral Challenge Cup and Goblets.
Champion of the Dee was RSSBC's Charlie Johnston, who took the Group 1 Trophy sponsored by Aaron & Partners.
Sophie Gillbanks of Merchant Taylors' School BC won the City of Chester Trophy sponsored by Morris & Co for single sculls and her sister Lucy Gillbanks won the under-13s group.
Queens Park High School RC (Kiera Burke and Zara Gautier-Price) won the Maiden's Prize sponsored by seven-year-old Bessie Belcher and club-mate Gwilym Harris won the under-13s boys single sculls.
Trentham RC (Hallam) claimed the Cheshire County Cup sponsored by Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Samatha Dixon, who said she was pleased to support the event.
"Chester Regatta is an historic and important feature of our city’s life," said Cllr Dixon.
"It has a special place in the calendar and draws competitors and visitors from all over the country."
Other winners included RSSBC (Peach) beat KSBC (Badeli) to take the Admiral of the Dee trophy sponsored by Lord Mayor Hugo Deynem.
Royal Chester Rowing Club (Hardie) won the Group 4C final and the club (Jarvis) took the Group 1D prize too.
Warrington RC (Eaves) won the Deva Challenge Bowl sponsored by Harry Crook and the Coronation Cup sponsored by Royal Chester Trust went to Trafford RC (Heathcock).
Trentham RC (Hallam) claimed the Cheshire County Cup sponsored by Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Samatha Dixon.
Trentham RC (Whitehurst) took the Bob Arthur Trophy sponsored by Energy Innovation Centre too and Warrington RC (Louis Molloy and Jack Bennett) picked up the Blue Peter Cup sponsored by Johnsons Printers.
Trentham BC (Olivia O’Dunne and Jennifer Hallsworth) won the Boodle & Dunthorne Cup, which was sponsored by Great Britain international Victoria Thornley.
Northwich RC (Langmead) were presented with the Observer Bowl sponsored by the Marlborough Arms and Trafford RC (Kilborn) took the Eaton Plate sponsored by Morris & Co.
Jan Chillery, secretary and vice chair of the regatta, said: "Everyone seemed to have a great time. The new format was well received and well delivered by our volunteers too.
"It was a big risk changing the race format so radically, but the risk paid off. We had to do something different to other regattas if we are to grow Chester Regatta.
"It is the oldest regatta of its type in the world, dating from 1733 and is held on one of the best rowing rivers in the world. With more sponsorship it could get very big indeed."
