I'm delighted that Katy Ward and Maddie Newman won Silver medals in the Women’s J18 doubles in the Ball Cup at Dorney Lake last weekend. Maddie and Katy had been keen rowers before they joined Shiplake and proximity to the river has given them the opportunity to train on four or five occasions each week, coached by Rebecca McKellar. It is particularly pleasing to see their hard work and commitment being rewarded.
With the races taking place over a 750 metre course the competitors had windy conditions to contend with in the heats. Drawn against Ardingly RC and Kings College School the Shiplake girls made a slow start and were trailing after ten lengths. Finding their rhythm they pushed through the other crews and held the lead at the 500 metres mark. They continued to increase their lead and finished with a winning margin of around one and a half lengths.
The weather had calmed slightly for the final and the girls were able to have a much smoother race but in the final it was Cambridge City RC who made the better start. The Shiplake girls pushed them all the way to the line but still trailed by a length and a half at the finish to take the silver medals. Well done girls!
