Maidstone Invicta Rowing club is celebrating its 25th anniversary year this year and what a fantastic way to celebrate than by reporting that four MIRC boats have managed to qualify at this years Henley Royal Regatta. This is a fantastic achievement for a provincial club to have more than one entry into this highly prestigious event.
Last year was the first year that MIRC entered, with Chris Mollison and Stuart Hampshire entering into the Double Sculls Challenge Cup. This year they are entering for the same cup again, and are up against Matthew Trott and Nathan Cohen, two international rowers from New Zealand.
MIRC are also entering two junior crews at senior level. The first being the coxless four (Josh Pendry, Will Tew, Alex Torbica and Craig Turner) challenging for the Wyfold Challenge Cup and are competing against Nottingham Rowing Club in the first round.
The other junior crew at this event is the Mens eight: (Simon Blackwell, Tim Grant, Lance Tredell, Tom Mason, Morgan Hellen, James Crumpton, Jon Farrar, Ben Farrar, coxed by Ross Porter) challenging for the Thames Cup. They have been drawn up against Monmouth Rowing Club.
Another MIRC crew challenging for the Thames Cup:(James Knight, Alastair Cooper, Geraint Evans, Mark Tomkins, William Purnell, Richard Ridgeway, Guy Sticklee and Owen Mills – coxed by Sue Mobbs), they have been drawn against Royal Chester Rowing Club.
We would like to say a big well done to all MIRC participants racing at this years Henley Royal Regatta and would like to see all their hard work pay off with victories for the Maidstone crews and hope that the spectators provide enough support for all those that cannot attend to show their support.
Laura Johnson & Laura McGrillen
