National news

Council reverse the decision to allow fireworks

sarahhope — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:52:51 +0100

The Henley fireworks organisers have released this information:

"It is with complete disappointment that the Regatta Fireworks will now not be going ahead tomorrow evening.

Wokingham Borough Council have retracted their decision to grant temporary closure of the footpath that runs through Dr Crockett's land. With the footpath remaining open we are unable to allow the display to go ahead for Health & Safety reasons."

The full press release can be downloaded here

Day three at Henley Royal

sarahhope — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:48:10 +0100

Alan Campbell meets Mannion of Ireland today having set a new course record when he reached the barrier in a time of 2.04 on Thursday, one second faster than rival Mahe Drysdale.

The Oxford 4- are through to the next round of the Visitor's Challenge Cup having fought back to beat the Cambridge crew by one foot in a race that had spectators on their feet right along the course. Their time of 6.39 equalled the previous course record for the race.

'Mid-Term' Mission 2012 report highlights encouraging post-Beijing progress

sarahhope — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:59:45 +0100

Press release from UK Sport:

Britain's Olympians and Paralympians are returning to competition this year with encouraging evidence that the success of Beijing is being built on, according to the latest outputs from UK Sport's Mission 2012 assessment programme.

Lock signs to change for the better

sarahhope — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:48:40 +0100

Good news for boaters - signs at locks on the River Thames are set to change for the better this summer. The Environment Agency has listened to feedback from river users, and is revamping the signs used to tell boaters if a lock keeper is available to help them.

Opening day of racing at Henley Royal

agroves — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:19:39 +0100

On the opening day of Henley Royal Regatta the Stewards permitted gentlemen to remove their jackets in the Enclosure, 'for this day only'. As the temperature soared the course records fell.

In the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Eton College dominated St Paul's School, beating course records as the race progressed. The school crew reached the barrier in 1.47 improving on the previously recorded fasted time by one second.

Nick McCorry and team win inaugural Indian Ocean Rowing Race 2009

sarahhope — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:14:31 +0100

ARA coach Nick McCorry and his team, brother Phil, Matt Hellier and Ian Allen, have become the first crew to win the Indian Ocean Rowing Race. They are also the first crew of four to cross the ocean and at the age of 20 Matt Hellier is the youngest person to achieve this feat.

A full report can be found at the Woodvale Challenge website

Congratulations to the whole team!

Adaptive rowing at Oundle Town Rowing Club

sarahhope — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:48:37 +0100

Oundle Town Rowing Club is running a free taster session for adaptive indoor rowing at Prince William School in Oundle, near Peterborough on Monday 13th July 2009 at 7pm.

Olympic gold medallist Tim Brabants takes on rowing challenge

sarahhope — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:31:04 +0100

Sprint racing Olympic champion Dr Tim Brabants MBE is swapping his paddles for oars on the 4th July, to compete in the Jersey Post Sark to Jersey rowing race.

Brabants decided to take a break from canoeing last year, after winning a gold medal in the K1 (Kayak Single) 1000M event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He's currently working as a doctor, in the Accident and Emergency department of a Nottingham hospital.

Rowing and the Watermen and Lightermen

randolph — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:26:22 +0100

As is now the custom, the Master of the Watermen and Lightermen Richard Goddard, arrived by boat to attend the annual Parliamentary Boat Race at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 23rd June.

BBC: Sir Steve Redgrave on diabetes

randolph — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:08:17 +0100

BBC news online has an interview with Sir Steve Redgrave about rowing with diabetes and how he balances his lifestyle to make his daily regime work for him.

See the article and video interview on the BBC website