31 October 2024

Tim Koch writes:

Watching races such as the Wingfields through a camera lens, always looking for the next good shot, makes it very difficult to properly follow events, let alone make notes, so my race reports are heavy on pictures and short on text. Thus, I am pleased to be able to post the reports written by the Wingfield’s Secretary, Sam Meijer (2019 Champion), who was not so encumbered.

Sam Meijer writes:

On Sunday 27/10/24 in glorious autumnal weather, the Wingfield Sculls returned to the Tideway for the 184th running of the race.

In order to solidify its position in the racing calendar, the race was run on the weekend. This meant that the race was at the mercy of the tides, and so the race ran over a new course, starting at the ULBC embankment and finishing at the LRC flagpole. This course provided a new challenge for the athletes and some exciting new racing tactics. After racing, a prize giving and reception was held in the Long Room at London Rowing Club, at which Sir David Wootton presented the Wingfield Sculls to the two champions.

The prize giving was well attended with the LRC balcony packed for the racing and around 50 people in attendance for the ceremony.

The committee extends its sincere gratitude to all the clubs that helped in running the race, with special thanks to ULBC, LRC, and WSBC. We also appreciate the PLA and British Rowing for their support, and we are deeply grateful to Sir David Wootton for serving as our prize giver, as well as to Dr. Ian Wingfield and the Wingfield Family for their continued support of the event.

The Women’s Race

Umpire: Greg Searle (1998, 1999, 2000 Champion)
Aligner: Guy Pooley (1991, 1992 Champion)

Draw (Middlesex to Surrey):
Kathryn Mole, University of Birmingham Boat Club
Finnola Stratton, Reading University Boat Club
Imogen Grant [2022, 2023 champion], Cambridge University Boat Club
Jessica Martin, University of London Boat Club
Jennifer Titterington, Nottingham Rowing Club

Immediately after alignment, Umpire Greg Searle called a quick start, and the scullers were off. 

Mole, Stratton, Grant, and Martin shot out of the blocks, with Titterington a bit off the pace. Mole maintained her speed into the second minute, pushing Stratton into the centre of the river, for which she was warned by the umpire to give Stratton room.

In typical fashion, Grant sat a length of clear water back from the fast-starting leading pair. By Putney Town Rowing Club, Titterington had fallen back significantly, prompting the umpire to decide it was appropriate to overtake her.

After Chiswick, Grant began her inevitable charge, pushing up on the Surrey side toward Stratton, now in second position. Grant was warned by the umpire for her steering.

At this point, with Martin about five lengths down and the umpire needing more oversight on the pugnacious leading trio, the umpire overtook Martin.

Grant, now side by side with Stratton, started her steady advance into the lead around the outside of the Chiswick bend and, just before the White Hart, pulled level with Mole.

Passing the White Hart, the leading three scullers all had overlap. Mole’s effort to hold off Grant was starting to show, as Stratton started to move up on the fast starting Mole coming into Barnes Bridge, with Grant moving out to a clear-water lead.

Exiting the bridge, Mole attempted to block Stratton’s advance by pushing her toward the Middlesex bank; a small clash occurred, and the umpire issued a warning. Stratton then overtook Mole, but the competition between them continued as Mole attempted to move to Stratton’s Surrey side, causing Mole’s bow to touch Stratton’s stern.

Approaching the Chiswick Crossover, the umpire warned all competitors of the oncoming Cockney Sparrow. Through the crossover, all encountered significant wash from the Sparrow, though this did not seem to faze these elite scullers.

Along the Eyot, with the top three scullers rating at 28, Grant extended her lead to five lengths clear of Stratton, who maintained two feet of clear water over Mole.

Passing St. Paul’s, Grant extended her lead further, with Stratton and Mole’s positions remaining unchanged.

Through Hammersmith Bridge, there was palpable tension between the second- and third-place scullers.

This was finally broken when, passing Harrod’s Depository, Mole increased her rate, swung toward Surrey, and began her charge on Stratton. Within 20 strokes, the deed was done and Mole moved into second place, ahead of Stratton.

Passing the Milepost, Grant continued to extend her lead, and Mole extended her lead over Stratton to one length.

Along the line of boats, Stratton once again engaged Mole, raising her stroke rate significantly. However, it was not enough, and Mole held her position to the finish.

Grant crossed the finish at the LRC flagpole, raising a fist in celebration of her triumphant third win in the Wingfield Sculls. With this victory, she becomes the winningest female competitor in Wingfield Sculls history, as well as the 2024 Wingfield Sculls Champion, British Amateur Champion, and Champion of the Thames.

Results:
1. Imogen Grant (2022, 2023 champion) Cambridge University Boat Club
2. Kathryn Mole, University of Birmingham Boat Club
3. Finnola Stratton, Reading University Boat Club
4. Jessica Martin, University of London Boat Club
5. Jennifer Titterington, Nottingham Rowing Club

Split Times:
Chiswick Bridge 3:33 (Mole)
Barnes Bridge 7:45 (Grant)
Chiswick Steps 13:10 (Grant)
Hammersmith Bridge 17:16 (Grant)
Milepost 21:27 (Grant)
Finish 26.04 (Grant)

The Men’s Race

Umpire: Greg Searle [1998, 1999, 2000 Champion]
Aligner: Guy Pooley [1991, 1992 Champion]

Draw (Middlesex to Surrey):
Rui Xu, London Rowing Club
Callum Dixon, Twickenham Rowing Club
Josh Lyon (2023 Champion), London Rowing Club
Graeme Thomas (2021 Champion), Agecroft Rowing Club
Ben Parsonage, Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club

With all scullers ready early, the race began a few minutes before the scheduled start time. The men stayed mostly level off the start, with defending champion Lyon leading, followed by Thomas, Parsonage, and then Dixon and Xu.

As the others settled into a rhythm, Dixon maintained a high stroke rate and began his move in the second 30 seconds. He quickly came level with Parsonage, then Lyon, and finally Thomas.

Near Putney Town Rowing Club, the crew mates from the Paris Olympics moved ahead of the field, entering their own battle for the lead.

At Quintin Boat Club, Dixon started to pull ahead of Thomas, gaining a clear-water lead.

Exiting Chiswick, Dixon extended his lead, just clearing the Middlesex green buoy by inches.

Behind the leaders, Xu, who had fallen over a length behind off the start, began to close in, challenging Parsonage and Lyon for third place.

Parsonage, positioned on Surrey and level with Lyon, was warned to give him room, and this fierce duel between the 2023 champion and runner-up continued throughout the race.

Through the crossover, the trailing three scullers stayed just a length behind Thomas. With Lyon barely holding two feet of clear water over Parsonage, Xu took the inside line at the green buoy, returning to competition with Parsonage.

Around the Chiswick Bend, Xu moved past Parsonage, gaining a clear-water advantage by The White Hart. Entering Barnes Bridge, Dixon’s lead stretched to four lengths of open water over Thomas, who led Lyon by two lengths.

These positions were held through Chiswick Steps as Xu began pressing Lyon for third.

Between the Pier and Chiswick Eyot, Xu overtook Lyon to secure third place.

Near the Eyot, most competitors stayed close to Surrey, leading to a close call for Thomas, who briefly stopped rowing to avoid the red buoy. Xu took advantage, closing Thomas’s lead to three lengths, though Thomas remained unfazed.

Rounding Hammersmith Bend, Parsonage made a move on Lyon for fourth place. Encouraged by steersman Peter Haining [1994-96, 2000 Champion], Parsonage attempted to move to Lyon’s bowside, but Lyon blocked him by shifting toward Surrey.

With Lyon and Parsonage locked in their battle, Dixon continued to extend his lead over Thomas.

Approaching the Milepost, positions stayed unchanged as Lyon continued to fend off Parsonage.

Along the line of boats, Parsonage, spurred on by Haining, increased his stroke rate to try to gain on Lyon, closing their gap to within a length of Xu.

With Dixon celebrating his commanding victory, the race stayed intense at the back as the final three scullers sprinted for the line, 23 minutes after the start. Xu, Lyon, and Parsonage spread out across the river, all striking in the high 30s, with Xu fighting to hold onto third place. Parsonage put in a valiant final effort, but the finish line came too soon, and the positions held.

After crossing the line, Parsonage and Lyon collapsed over their oars, taking time to recover from the race. Dixon’s impressive win marked his meteoric rise in British sculling, having first picked up an oar in late 2019. He claimed the titles of 2024 Wingfield Sculls Champion, British Amateur Champion, and Champion of the Thames.

Results:
1. Callum Dixon, Twickenham Rowing Club: 23:46
2. Graeme Thomas (2021 Champion), Agecroft Rowing Club: 23:54
3. Rui Xu, London Rowing Club: 24:09
4. Josh Lyon (2023 Champion), London Rowing Club: 24:11
5. Ben Parsonage, Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club: 24:12

Split Times:
Chiswick Bridge: 3:06 (Dixon)
Barnes Bridge: 6:54 (Dixon)
Chiswick Steps: 11:54 (Dixon)
Hammersmith Bridge: 16:11 (Dixon)
Milepost: 19:56 (Dixon)
Finish: 23.46 (Dixon)

Media
A recording of the races is available on the Wingfield Sculls YouTube Channel.