KING’S Ely crews brought home an incredible 10 trophies from four events at the Bedford Star Regatta at the weekend after one of the school’s most impressive performances this year.
With a race course length of 1.2km, the event is one of the most popular summer regattas, with 277 crews in attendance this year. The format follows a process of elimination, with the slower crews being knocked out and the winners progressing to the finals.
King’s Ely dominated the J15 A Doubles, resulting in two of the school’s teams going head-to-head in the semi-finals. Despite firm competition from their peers, Tom Oldham and Fred Scott took the first place position, going on to win the final. Gabriel Berraondo had a fantastic series of races in the J15 Singles category, winning each time by at least three lengths of a boat. Kai Wigdahl and Edmund Dickens brought victories home in the J15 B Doubles, beating their opposition soundly in the finals.
The girls also celebrated some impressive results. Isla Taylor and Eloise Curtis raced their double in the Women’s J15 category, making it to the final in a series of strong victories over their opposition before being narrowly beaten to the finish. Christina Fialova was unlucky to run up against some extremely strong competition in the semi-finals of the Women’s J16 Singles. However, she was back again later in the day in a Women’s Novice Coxed Quads, joined by crewmates Eloise Curtis, Isla Taylor, Emily James and newcomer Elena Muller, to win a series of convincing victories, each time defeating their opposition by more than five lengths in every race.
Head of Rowing at King’s Ely, James Goodman-Eastwood, commented: “It was a privilege to watch our dedicated crews race their challenging opposition at the Bedford Star Regatta. Every athlete raced well, implementing new strategies to good effect. Despite the tough conditions, our pupils’ sportsmanship was exemplary, when others appeared disoriented in defeat. The hard work and dedication displayed by coaches and athletes alike provided the key to our success.
“I look forward to the next race, where our teamwork will be put to the test once more.”
