Hat-trick of wins for Cambridge clubs at Veteran Fours Head of the River Race

Trio take glory on the Tideway

Cantabrigian, Champion of the Thames and Cambridge 99 Rowing Clubs all savoured success in the Veteran Fours Head of the River Race.

There were 223 crews taking part on the 6.4km course from Mortlake to Putney, across a range of different categories.

Cantabs’ coxless four of Gill Cooper, Bailee Stratton, Judith Weik and Debbie Morley won their Women’s Masters C (average age over 43) in 20min 55sec, a margin of 41 seconds clear of second place.

It meant they were 79th overall, sixth fastest women’s crew overall and the fastest women’s sweep crew.

“We hit a strong sustainable rhythm and by the end of the race had managed to reel in all of our opposition,” said Weik.

“We were able to hold our racing line well, and several overtakes made for an exciting race.”

Champion of the Thames’ crew won the Mixed Masters D quads (average age over 50) in 21.06, to finish seven seconds clear of second and for 97th overall.

Cambridge 99 were first in the Women’s Masters A (average age over 27) coxed fours in 21.42, finish 10 seconds clear of second place.

Rob Roy were second in the Women’s Masters A quads, X Press were second in the Men’s Masters E coxed fours, another X-Press crew were third in the Men’s Masters B coxed fours, Cambridge 99 were third in the intermediate three coxed fours and X-Press were third in the Men’s Masters C coxless fours.

Chesterton were fourth in the Women’s Masters C coxed fours, Champion of the Thames were fifth in the Women’s Masters D quads, Chesterton were fifth in the Men’s Masters C coxed fours and Rob Roy were eighth in the Women’s Masters C quads.

And Chesterton were ninth in the Women’s Masters B quads.