Mr Wells (Director of Rowing)
The National Schools Regatta (24th – 26th May 2019) is the highlight of the school racing programme, which is held over three days with over 5000 competitors competing across the different events. Each year the event just gets bigger and the competition becoming even more fierce.
BGS had 57 girls racing in nine crews on the 2012 Olympic course at Dorney Lake. The BGS racing kicked off with the Year 9 girls on Friday. This was the first time that some of these girls had raced side-by-side over the full Olympic distance of 2000m.
The Year 9 Oct A (J14G 8x+ 1) had a good race, gaining valuable experience against tough competition. The Year 9 Oct B (J14G 8x+ 2) rowed superbly and qualified for the top 12, developing all the time as the race progressed. They then raced in the B final in which they raced hard, placing 6th. The Year 10 four (J15G 4+) put in a solid time trial, qualifying for the C Final. They started well and built more and more throughout the race, placing 3rd.
Saturday was the big day for BGS rowing with six crews racing. The Sixth Form boat has been developing all season and getting better with each session. They put in an impressive performance, just missing out on moving through to the next round. Olivia Ames (Lower Sixth) raced as a single, which was a massive challenge for her. Racing in the single at a National event is tough, however full credit to Olivia for smashing her set target by over 50 seconds. Olivia received the biggest BGS cheer as she raced past the BGS marquee.
The Year 11 eight had high expectations of making the A final and in the time trial missed out by 0.3 seconds. This would usually be enough to discourage a weaker crew but the girls bonded together and put in a tremendous performance, leading from the first stroke to the last, whilst having to absorb attacks from Sir William Perkins, Kings School Chester and St Paul's Girls’ School. The BGS boat was untouchable in the B final, claiming 1st place.
The Year 11 coxed four have come together quite late in the season but again they showed their mettle in the time trial, never giving up and working every single stroke through to the line.
At these regattas, we always pick a Girl of the Match, which can be an individual or group. Junior Girl of the Match was awarded to the Year 10 girls four on Saturday. They really did stand up and raced well. The Senior Girl of the Match went to to go to Olivia Ames (Lower Sixth) for the smile which she had on her face when she finished raising the single, she did exceptionally well.
A big thank you to all the parents, BGS volunteers and the Friends of Bedford Girls' School Rowing Club (FBGSRC) who made the atmosphere at the regatta over the two days an extremely enjoyable affair. There was a real sense of positive support from everyone who had come to watch and who enjoyed the atmosphere and food in the BGS marquee.
View the full BGS race results here.
