Twickenham Regatta Recap: A Dev Squad Hat Trick

Twickenham RC
May 24
2 min read

TwRC Development Squad crews make a perfect day as coach Iain McMillan coxes all three crews to wins

Mixed Eights: Honoring the spirit of competition

A Twickenham Mixed Eight boat races in the 103rd Twickenham Regatta. — Photo credit: Mark Shepherd

Doubly mixed with members of both the Development and Masters squads, the crew of Rebecca Wardle (stroke), Andrew Dixon, Nikolai Kabanov, Todd Sipka, Florian Huber, Aisling Hogan, Rosvita Rauch, Trish McLaren (bow) and coxed by Iain McMillan had an eventful outing in their straight final.

A bumpy start had Twickenham under orders to straighten up from the umpire, but Putney Town followed over to the Surrey bank and across TwRC's bows, losing a rudder in the process and stopping the race.

In the true spirit of competition, Twickenham's crew wanted to give Putney Town a chance to compete and the race organisers found a spot amongst the singles events. Very kindly, Reading Rowing Club lent Putney Town an 8+ to replace their damaged boat.

The second take started nearly the same over the first 100m but Twickenham's squad came from behind to grind out the win!

Result: Twickenham over Putney Town by 1 3/4 Lengths

Women's Novice Coxed Quads: Continuing the strong start to the season

A Twickenham Women's Novice Coxed Quad rows through the river at the 103rd Twickenham Regatta as the rower seated in the two seat raises their arm in victory. — Photo credit; Marshall Fleming

Following the success at Marlow Spring Regatta in their first-ever race, Twickenham's Dev Squad Women with Rebecca Wardle (stroke), Lauretta Ciuffardi, Aisling Hogan, and Trish McLaren (bow) racing in Liversedge with Iain McMillan coxing, were laser focused on repeating the successes for the home crowd. Up against a university crew, the race had a touch of drama as Royal Holloway is also coached by Twickenham's Dev Squad assistant coach Nicole.

Holloway started fast and strong, but Twickenham caught up and the middle third was a real tug of war before Twickenham eventually pulled away and sealed the win.

Twickenham over Royal Holloway (UL) by 3 Lengths

Novice Coxed Quads: Getting their first taste of racing

A Twickenham Novice Coxed Quad prepares to launch from the club as the rowers look back at the camera while the cox holds the boat. — Photo Credit: Trish McClaren

In their first competition of the year, the Twickenham's Development Squad Men with Andrew Dixon (stroke) Todd Sipka, Florian Huber, and Nikolai Kabanov (bow) were thoroughly determined to get a good race under their belts racing in Liversedge with coach Iain McMillan coxing. While scheduling only provided the crew one water session together each week, they went out hard from the start and built up a strong lead that they held the entire way to secure the win!

Twickenham over Bournemouth University by 1 1/4 Lengths

Next up...

The Development Squad crews will next race at Walton & Weybridge the weekend of 6-7 June.