Shiplake triumph at head race

SHIPLAKE College’s first eight were crowned winners of this year’s Hammersmith Head of the River race last Saturday.

The college entered their crews that will be competing in the Schools’ Head of the River later this month into last weekend’s race.

Hammersmith Head is held on the same course as Schools’ Head, but with rowers finishing at Hammersmith Bridge instead of Putney Bridge.

The Shiplake first eight won their event and finished as head of the river as they achieved the quickest time out of the 300 crews that competed, that included Eton College, St Paul’s School and Radley College

The Shiplake College second eight finished fifth overall and just 0.3 seconds behind Eton.

The Shiplake College J16 eight also finished third out of 22 crews in their event behind Westminster and Eton while the J15 eight, who have had limited time together since they started rowing in January, finished 11th out of 26 crews.

Shiplake College girls’ quadruple sculls crew, also taking part in their first race of the season, finished in 10th place.

Speaking after their success, Dave Currie, Director of Rowing at Shiplake College, said: “I’m really pleased with the results from Hammersmith Head.

“This is our first race of the season in selected crews and these strong results across the board will be a great confidence booster to the rowers ahead of the Schools’ Head of the River.”

The Schools’ Head of the River will take place next Friday.