Organisers strike a cautious note

ROWING: THE RECENT heavy rains, which sadly brought tragedy to some, have almost completely replenished the Blessington Lakes, which are set to stage the Neptune Head of the River tomorrow.

The weather has not always been kind to this event, and the organisers have struck a cautious note, promising a review today and quick information for clubs if the event is called off. However, the indications are that conditions will be cold and clear.

One hundred and fifteen crews have entered the first head (11 o’clock), while 73 are entered in the second (2.30). There are three men’s senior eights entered, but the standout statistics favour sculling – there are 27 men’s intermediate scullers entered in the second head.

With crews travelling from Portora in Enniskillen and Castleconnell in Limerick there is a good geographical spread. And two of the rising schools in the sport, Coláiste Chiaráin from Croom in Co Limerick and Blackrock College in Dublin, are sending crews. Indeed Blackrock have a junior 18 eight and junior 16 eight entered.

The course will only be locked in on the day, with meetings at 9am and 1pm informing the participants.

Across the Irish Sea, Queen’s University had five crews entered in the London Head of the River Fours on the Thames, but two of their elite quadruples have scratched – the first was set to go off an impressive second to Leander in this class.

One elite quadruple from Queen’s remained in the draw yesterday, and there is also an elite men’s coxed four and a women’s elite coxless four.

Last year the event suffered because of a clash with the World Championships in New Zealand, but this time out it has a top range of British internationals. Coleraine men figure prominently: Richard Chambers is in the top-ranked elite lightweight quadruple, while Alan Campbell and Peter Chambers will also be among the early starters.

The line-up for the Woodvale Atlantic Challenge, which is set to start a month from today, is short the now customary Irish interest, but it includes an impressive entry called Row2Recovery. Four severely injured members of the British armed services will be part of the team which will row the Atlantic in the hope of raising perceptions about disability.

Supporters of Mark Pollock, an Irishman who has heroically battled his own disabilities, are very pleased with the numbers signing up for the Run4Mark event on Wednesday week, November 16th.

In addition to the events in Dublin (which has already drawn hundreds of entries), Cork, Belfast and Galway, backers intend to run in London, Cardiff, Switzerland, Canada and Hong Kong.