Stratford Boat Club juniors impress at National Schools' Regatta

STRATFORD Boat Club were out in force at the largest and most exciting junior competition in the rowing calendar – the National Schools’ Regatta.

More than 5,000 competitors from across 350 clubs descend on Dorney Lake for the premiere regatta where future Olympic champions start out.

For Stratford’s J14s, the boys’ crew of Seth Vondrak, Xavier Sissins-Roffey, James Albrighton, Oliver Rowlands and cox Theo Richter were first to face the time trial over the 1,000m course.

After an unsettled start, the boys soon got into their rhythm and delivered a solid row. Despite a valiant effort, the boys missed out on selection for the finals by eight seconds.

Following hot on their heels were the girls’ crew of Alexandra Francis, Poppy Baines, Sophie Evans, Alice Jones, and cox Meg Nuttall.

Another solid performance by the girls resulted in selection for the B final.

Crossing the finish line in fourth place delivered an outcome of tenth out of 36 competing crews for the girls.

Competing at the National Schools’ Regatta for the first time, the coxed WJ15 quad of Harriet Froom (cox), Lucy Sartain, Molly Vondrak, Scarlett Richardson and Aimee Appleton (bow) claimed a top-20 finish in their time trial in a field of 69 crews, 15.7 seconds off the top crew and three seconds away from the B final.

For the J17/18 squad, the day started with the boys’ double of Tomi Wilcock and Will Beattie with them taking to the lake to compete in the Open Championship Doubles event.

Putting up a strong battle against the wind, they finished a respectable 21st in their time trial.

The girls pairing of Amelie Sartain and Freya Watts were next up in the Women’s Championship Doubles event, finishing a symmetrical 21st.

Last out for the squad was Toby Sartain in the Open Championship Singles event, where he finished 37th against stiff competition.