Inverness plays host to 724 crews from across Scotland and England at Winter Heads competition on Caledonian Canal
Over 700 crews from across Great Britain battled it out on the Caledonian Canal as they took part in the Inverness Rowing Club Winter Head.
A total of 724 crews were in action over two days in Inverness on Saturday and Sunday.
The Eights Competition recorded the fastest times during the weekend. The fastest open 8+ being from Edinburgh University Boat Club, stroked by Onur Howie, coming down the 4.5 km course in a time of 13:53.1, and the fastest women’s boat being a women’s 8+ from St Andrew Boat Club stroked in a time of 16:11.
Racing was run over three divisions on Saturday and a further three divisions on Sunday with a gentle tailwind building through the weekend to provide some challenging conditions by Sunday afternoon. Inverness Rowing Club had success throughout the weekend, starting off in Division One on Saturday where ist RC mixed R2 8+ stroked by Bethany Hinckley, opened up a five minute lead over their nearest competitor to take their category in a time of 16:42.
Success continued in Division Two with the IRC juniors also taking medals in the J115 2x with Robin Roxburgh and Shay Hammock finishing in a time of 17:28.
Bethany Hinckley led the charge on Sunday, stroking the IRC womens R2 4+ to victory in the better conditions of the first division in a time of 19:43. Sam Roxburgh who, although third in the very competitive J18 1x category, set an impressive time of 18:12.
It was an Inverness masters 8+ stroked by Tim Latham which was first into the medals in the second division, setting the fastest time ever recorded by an Inverness mens 8+ over the 4.5 km course (15.43).
This was closely followed by a composite womens 4x including IRC’s Heather Gordon who won their category in a time of 16:17.
The second division arguably saw the most challenging conditions with the strong tailwind kicking up some rough water. It was therefore maybe Wilbur Grant’s win in the J14 (under 14 years of age) 1x that was the most impressive result from an IRC rower over the weekend. Success continued for IRC in the third division with Tim Latham stroking his R1 2- to victory in a time of 18:51, closely followed by a second IRC 2- stroked by Robert Gordon.
Attention will now turn to preparing for the summer regatta season which will see IRC rowers heading south to compete over 2 km multilane regatta courses.
