On a memorable day in the grounds of the stunning Blenheim Palace, Ross Rowing Club Juniors took to the water in what must be the most picturesque regatta in the country. Ross entered 12 events and came away with seven medals: two gold, three silver and two bronze, and came second in the Victor Ludorum.

Many of the Ross competitors only started rowing at April’s Easter Camp, which made the performance of these young athletes all the more spectacular. There were gold medals for Emily Hermon, Ella Bardsley-Taylor, Niamh Hickey, Imogen Seal and Tom Gianessi (cox) in the WJ12 quad, which was a large event meaning that the crew had to win three rounds to win their medals.

Mia Davies won a gold in a storming victory in the WJ13 single scull event, making very short work of her opposition, and silvers were won by the WJ13 2x of Holly Manning and Millie Morgan (returning from injury) and the J13 2x of Heidi Brodholt and Ellie Lown (against all-boy opposition).

Jayesh Punn demonstrated the art of winning a silver medal by rowing a true course in the J14 single scull, putting all he had into this wonderful performance against good opposition. Josh Quan-Buchannan narrowly failed to make the final in the same event.

Bronze medals were won by a WJ13 quad made up of Katie Smith, Heidi Brodholt, Mia Davies and Holly Manning (coxed by Millie Morgan), and a WJ14 quad made up entirely of WJ13 girls, all of whom started rowing only two month ago, who performed quite amazingly to snatch a bronze medal from their more experienced opposition.

This crew, made up of Connie McLeod, Lucy Burden, Phoebe Walker and Holly Matthews (coxed by Katie Smith), is one to keep an eye on for the future. Other newcomers, Lewis Claydon and Ben Clatworthy were narrowly beaten in their heat in the J13 quad event but rowed a technically excellent race. All in all, a quite outstanding outcome for this team of athletes.