A CREW of female rowers struck gold at the venue which will stage this summer’s Olympic Games.
The coxed four from Royal Chester Rowing Club raced to victory in the Metropolitan Regatta at Dorney Lake in Buckinghamshire, capturing the Anne Littleton Rosebowl.
The 2,200m, eight-lane course near Eton will play host to the world’s greatest rowers when the Olympics get under way in July.
Royals swept to success there to win their category – the women’s intermediate two coxed fours – in the Metropolitan Regatta, beating off national competition.
For the Chester crew – Angela Sheldon, Georgina Grandfield , Caroline Ealey, Grace Long and cox Anna Tweed – the victory was a reward for all the early morning and late evening training sessions on ergos and crew boats.
The qualifying heat saw a decisive win in a time of eight minutes 13.52 seconds. This was improved upon in the final with a winning time of 8.08:26.
The victory was prefect preparation for the Royals women as they build up to the Henley Women’s Regatta this weekend. Their aim is to become the first Royals women’s crew to win at Henley.
Also in action at the Metropolitan Regatta was a late entry from Royal Chester, in the women’s intermediate one double scull.
While not winning, they performed superbly for a crew assembled at short notice.
Anyone interested in learning to row or joining a team at Royal Chester can contact club captain Mike Palamarczuk via website www.royalchesterrowingclub.co.uk.
