World Rowing Masters, Brandenburg. 11th-15th September

16th September, 2024

Minerva was represented by four members at the World Masters’ regatta this year in Brandenburg: Ian, Laura, Ching and Richard (though our very own Ian Townsend was spotted on the winners’ podium wearing Monmouth’s colours). They were variously sculled in singles, doubles and a quad, both as ‘pure’ Minerva and in composite crews with Avon County and Bradford on Avon.

In single sculls Ian and Richard entered a field of 144 in their age category to finish within a second of each other. Meanwhile Ching had a her “best Worlds regatta ever” securing a second place in her category; if you see her do ask her how she did compared to her nemesis ‘Woody’ (spoiler: it’s good news and a long held ambition).

As the weather deteriorated it was time for the doubles’ fest with just about every combination being raced: Ching doubled with Laura, then doubled with Frosty (BOARC), meanwhile Laura doubled with Richard following his double with Frosty; before Frosty and Ching nearly won Gold in their race (missed by 1.5 seconds).

Liburna made a reappearance on the World’s stage, both in coastal conditions for the mixed quad with BOARC and in the more forgiving water for a men’s quad with Avon County where a race time of 3:39 for 1000m was achieved after just one practice outing – who knows what might have been achieved if we’d actually trained together! All in all a great event left the participants with these final thoughts to share with other Minerva masters: start training now and book in for the Worlds in Spain 2025 – we’ll see you there!