Sunday’s torrential rain and the muddy conditions did nothing to dampen the spirits of Ross Rowing Club when competing at Stourport’s Winter Head. 

In the morning, 15 year old Yasmine Howe started off the winning streak in her single scull event with Islay Brevet and Anna Smith, in the same age group, winning their double event.  Enduring the particularly soggy afternoon division, Ross Juniors had wins for Charlie Pope who showed ever-improving technical prowess in the 15 year old boys’ single scull event and Ella Bardsley-Taylor in the 16 year old girls’ single event. The club said it was great to see Mike Jones joining the juniors for the day having his first outing in the Masters G category (an average age of 65 or more).  

The winter conditions and timed head events are ideal for big boats.  The junior girls’ eight, crewed by individuals who all show strength and skill in small single scull boats, had their first outing in preparation for the Women’s Head of the River Race which takes place in London in March on the same stretch of water as the famous Oxford v Cambridge boat race.  Proving the synergy that can be achieved when you put Heidi Brodholt, Ellie Lown, Niamh Gabb, Lucy Billington, Emily Hermon, Ellie Humphries, Katie Smith, Yasmine Howe and cox Lucy Burden in a boat together, the girls not only won their event but got the fastest winning time of any of the women’s eights competing that day.  The next outing is planned for Wycliffe next weekend over a 4,500m course.