Gabby Watson of Maidenhead Rowing Club was selected to compete for England in the Home Countries match held in Nottingham on 25th July. Being selected to represent England was an honour, but also a challenge, for a 16 year old who would be racing in aJ18 event.

Gabby was quicker than normal out of the blocks gaining a slight lead over the Irish sculler with Scotland in third and Wales in fourth position. The experienced Irish sculler then moved out to a one and a quarter length lead. At the 750m mark Gabby began to increase the power and by 1000m she had moved level with the Irish sculler. Over the second half of the course, Gabby moved away with every stroke maintaining a solid rhythm and crossed the line 4 lengths ahead of Ireland with Scotland taking 3rd and Wales finishing in 4th place.

This was a fantastic finish to a good season which culminated in three National Championship medals, selection and a winning doubles performance for the GB J16 vs France team (in a double with Kate Ryde also from Maidenhead RC) and as well as the the singles sculls win at the Home Countries match. This was a very satifying end to the season.

Robert Ashburner

Robert Ashburner from Maidenhead RC has won selection to compete at the European Junior Championships for Great Britain in France this summer. Rob had to attend final trials and compete in singles trials followed by crew trials. In the singles races Rob finished close to the bottom of the pack, however, when he was moved into crew seat racing he excelled and won every seat race in which he participated. This resulted in him moving up the rankings into the top four scullers, thus earning him selection for a highly contested GB vest.

Billy Brooks Captain of Juniors at Maidenhead Rowing Club said "This has yet again been avery successful time for the Maidenhead RC High Performance boys and girls group which has resulted in 6 junior GB vests being won by the athletes. Congratulations also to coaches Tom Jost and Ben Tipney who have been selected to work with GB crews this year. Maidenhead RC has a strong team of coaches that assist juniors progress from Learn to Row, through to High Performance Rowing"

Gabby Watson - Winner of the Home Countries International WJ Single Sculls

Gabby Watson - Winner of the Home Countries International WJ Single Sculls