The Henley Winter Series kicked off in style yesterday, with 13 crews battling high winds around the 7.5km circular course. Thames Raging Dragons and MI Athena joined the line up for the first time, MI Athena being the first ever all-female crew to compete at the event.
Masters International stole back the fastest crew title from old rivals Senior Contenders, but only by 7 seconds, so there is no room for complacency. Meanwhile the club crews were battling it out for the first ever set of medals for the fastest club crew round the course. Henley Dragons had been fastest club crew in all previous HWS events, but were cruelly beaten by arch rivals Kingston this time round. It was probably best that way because there may have been rumours of cheating if the home crew had won the medals!
Masters International, the fastest crew round the course
Ricardo Wang @ Ricardo Wang Photography http://www.ricardowang.com
Kingston were also awarded the Handicap Trophy for the event, being the crew that showed the most improvement from their previous time round the course.
Kingston Royals, fastest club crews and handicap winners
(and also by the looks of the photo the first crew to the pub!)
Ricardo Wang @ Ricardo Wang Photography http://www.ricardowang.com
MI Athena showed their male counterparts how it should be done, finishing a very respectable 5th overall, and respect goes to BA Hurricanes who not only fielded 2 crews, but matched them so well that they finished with only 4 seconds difference in times!
Crews were able to get a glimpse inside the new clubhouse at the Eyot Centre, with the men even christened the showers! All profits from HWS to date have been put in the building fund, so it is great to finally see what we've been fund raising for for so long.
The medals for this event were kindly sponsored by The Horns in Crazies Hill, who also cooked rather a lot of roast dinners to feed the hungry paddlers after the event.
Thanks to all crews who took part and everyone who helped make the event yet another success. The second Series event for 2007/8 is scheduled for 9th December. Fingers crossed the rain stops some time before then!
Photos to follow.
Full results as follows:
| 1 |
Masters International |
31.10 |
| 2 |
Senior Contenders |
31.17 |
| 3 |
Kingston Royals |
33.35 |
| 4 |
Henley Dragons |
35.03 |
| 5 |
MI Athena |
35.13 |
| 6 |
Bristol Empire |
35.30 |
| 7 |
BA Hurricanes 1 |
35.58 |
| 8 |
BA Hurricanes 2 |
36.03 |
| 9 |
Worcester Dragons |
37.45 |
| 10 |
Thames Raging Dragons |
37.59 |
| 11 |
Secklow 100 |
38.05 |
| 12 |
Complete WRECKS |
38.41 |
| 13 |
Typhoon Tigers |
40.48 |
