Press Release from Bedford Rowing Club - 13th March 2006

Bedford Rowing Club's Womens Senior Two Eight overtook 3 crews to end up with a good result at the annual Women's Eights Head of the River Race in London on Saturday 12th March. The event draws athletes from around the UK and many overseas crews make a special trip to race over the 4 and ¼ mile course on the River Thames from Chiswick to Putney as used by the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.

Racing against 265 other crews the Bedford crew achieved an overall finishing position of 83, overtaking 3 other crews on the way to the finish. Staines Boat club was overtaken within the first 3 minutes of the race.

The crew of Nicola Hardy, Kay Budd-Fletcher, Claire Newton, Vicky Rigby, Gail Owen, Helen Knowles, Claire Higgins, Lydia Swift expertly steered by cox Will Everitt raced over the course in a time of 21 minutes 38 seconds. This was exactly one minute faster than in 2005 and 30 seconds ahead of local rivals from Star Rowing Club.

Club captain Michael Hardy said "This was a good result for the Ladies' squad which shows their continuous improvement. This bodes well for the summer regatta season"

On Saturday 25th March Bedford Rowing Club is sending 2 Eights to the annual Men's Eights Head of the River Race in London.

The club will be racing in Bedford on Sunday 9th April, where Bedford Rowing Club is organising the Spring Fours and Small Boats Head which runs over 8 divisions from 09:15 to 17:30.