Senior Victory

Controversy surrounded the Boat Club’s first win of the new season in the Fuller’s Fours Head of the River.

George Whittaker, George Adams, JF John Weale, and cox Seb Pearce won the men’s senior 2 coxed fours pennant after the leaders, Reading, were disqualified because the crew who won were not the crew registered and so put Imperial on top.

The men’s senior 1 quadruple scull comprising Hugh McKenzie, Derek Holland, Kieran West and Dan Ouseley raced hard to attain 5th place overall and maintain Imperial’s place in the top 10.

Further medals were picked up at the British Indoor Rowing Championships. Thousands of rowers worldwide flocked to Birmingham to race on rowing machines over 2000 metres.

Kelly Cummins of Imperial won gold in the BUSA women’s open lightweight category. Helen Ellison, raced in the BUSA women’s under-23 lightweight category and won bronze. Ellison started strongly, and had a good finish to keep herself a clear 2.4 seconds inside the bronze.

Dan Ouseley, came 9th in the men’s open heavyweight category. This event was stacked with internationals, with the top 10 comprising solely of national rowers. Ouseley was also the 3rd ranked British athlete.

In the team event, Toby Wallace, Ed Johnson, Robin Nicholson, Andy Wilkinson, Ouseley, Whittaker, McKenzie and Fox ensured IC 3rd place in the University rankings.

The Scullers Head of the River took place on Saturday. This event saw 459 single scullers battle it out on the tideway. Helen Ellison won the senior 2 lightweight women’s pennant.

Derek Holland came 4th overall and Toby Wallace produced a strong performance to achieve 2nd in men’s senior 3 category.

These results mark a good start to the season for new chief coach Simon Dennis. He has now taken over the helm from Bill Mason who recently retired from full-time coaching at Imperial after 22 years.