Archive - Tuesday, 25 May 2004


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Regatta boosted by numbers

MONMOUTH's first ever two-day regatta has attracted a bumper 332-boat entry this weekend.

More than 700 rowers from 42 clubs will be launching on the Wye, including several crews from Imperial College, home of three of GB's Olympic champion eight.

Saturday's new 750m sprint has attracted 128 boats, while Sunday's traditional 1500m event sees 204 boats competing.

Regatta secretary TJ Part said: "We're delighted that our decision to take up the Saturday date vacated by Worcester Regatta has come off, with our entry on a par with their numbers.

"And it's a big boost that we've managed to top the 200-mark on Sunday for the first time in four years, after foot-and-mouth wiped out our 2001 event.

"After cancelling three years ago and with London's Metropolitan Regatta muscling in on our date, we've had to rebuild from just 130 boats in 2002.

We've worked really hard to win clubs back by running an excellent event and this year we've bounced back."

The two-day Monmouth-shire Building Society-sponsored rowing extravaganza will see 237 races involving 23 eights, seven quad sculls, 52 fours, 56 pairs and doubles and 66 scullers.

Saturday's sprint has 89 races between 11.30am and 16.45pm, with Sunday seeing 148 heats and finals from 9.30am to 5.50pm.

"The sprints will mean close racing and we're really excited with the prospect," said TJ Part. "And hopefully the weather will be good and townspeople will come down to support."

Clubs travelling to the Wye include top Thames outfits City of Oxford and Wallingford, with Dartmouth and Exeter travelling from the West Country and Birmingham from the Midlands.

There will be plenty of local interest as well, despite Monmouth's three schools all attending the British Schools' Championships in Nottingham on Saturday.

All three are returning home for Sunday, with Haberdashers racing City of Oxford in their opening women's eights heat, Monmouth School taking on Wallingford in Novice eights and Monmouth Comprehensive's scullers also out in force.