Pimms on the riverbank, plus some rowing...

Bedford Rowing Club member Caroline Kirman struck gold at Henley Women's Regatta. Racing with Kate Templeton from Thames RC, the composite pair were double gold medallists at Ghent International Regatta last month and have now added the Redgrave Open Coxless Pairs title at the HWR to their growing list of wins. The 1500m race, upstream from Temple Island to Remenham Club, is the premier rowing event for women in the United Kingdom.

Posting the fastest time in their semi-final against Hereford RC, Kirman and Templeton faced Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association in the final. The fast starting Notts County crew established a 3/4 length lead at the end of the island, after both crews started at 44 strokes per minute. Unfazed by their opponents early lead, the Kirman and Templeton settled to 36, and as per their race plan, changed gear at the 500m mark.

The sizeable crowd in the Enclosures was treated to a fine display of power rowing, as the pair pulled through the Notts County crew. With 500m to go, Kirman and Templeton were ahead for the first time and continued to cruise away from their opponents to win by a convincing 1 1/4 lengths.

The coxless pairs event was sponsored by Ann and Steve Redgrave, who presented the winning pair with The Redgrave Trophy, commemorative gold medals and replicas of the unusual silver and crystal trophy vase. During the presentation Steve Redgrave, a 16 times winner at Henley Royal Regatta, commented that to row through a crew and win from the Bucks station is a most impressive feat, considering that the Bucks station faces the stronger opposing stream conditions.

Also competing at the regatta was the Bedford womens crew of Lydia Swift, Sarah Calderbank, Aine O'Connor, Michele Emsley and cox Sarah Reay. Racing in coxed fours event, Bedford mounted a brave challenge to a strong Marlow RC crew. The Marlow four took an early lead, but Bedford constantly attacked, rating 36 most of the way and did themselves proud in their first Henley appearance.

While the women's crews were in Henley, Bedford mens crews were seeking last minute selection from the Henley Stewards by racing at Marlow Regatta.In the Senior I coxed fours event, Pete Stasiuk, Jon Melrose, Tom Robb, Dave Edwards and cox Christina Webb won a splendid race against TC Williams from America to advance to the final. However, an accident to their boat meant they had to borrow equipment for the final and were unable to reproduce their earlier form.

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