By Isle of Wight Observer
The Hants & Dorset season got off to a stuttering start at the weekend, with the double header of Shanklin and Ryde regattas.
Unfortunately, a moderate easterly wind curtailed both events. Shanklin Regatta was abandoned after three races.
Newport Junior Men did compete, but were swamped by waves coming broadside over the boat, and were forced to retire.
Sunday, at Ryde, was also cut short due to weather conditions. All of the Newport Fours were able to complete their races, with Newport Novice crews in particular standing up to the testing conditions and, for the most, it was their first race on the sea. The Women’s and Men’s Novice crews both finished fourth, as did the Men’s Masters crew. The Men’s Junior crew were in contention, until a rival crew impeded them at the buoy turn, and they finished third.
Young coxswain, Fiona Brookes, took part in her first races on the sea, remaining calm and confident and steering her crews safely throughout the races.