Some of Lea Juniors' winners show off their medals
Two weeks after their Spring Regatta, the Lea RC Junior Section found another fistful of medals when they travelled to Dorney Lake, Eton to compete in the Ball Cup.
The day before the race many of the athletes stayed behind at the club after they had finished their training to help out on the Saturday afternoon coaching on the Learn To Row course. After that, all hands were on deck to de-rig four singles, three doubles and a coxed quad and load the necessary equipment onto the trailer.
After an early start on the Sunday morning (5:30am at the Club!) the trailer left for Dorney followed by 13 athletes and a convoy of parents. Still, many hands make light work and this was proven by how well the day ran.
Special thanks has to go to all the parents and junior athletes that helped throughout ; the day really sped along and all of the racing athletes received fantastic support.
Our rowers really excelled at the Ball Cup. Seven of the 10 Lea Juniors boats made it through to the finals and the eighth missed out by the width of a bow ball .
In the end, Lea RC Junior Section left Dorney with two gold medals courtesy of Ellie Booth (WJ13 1x) and Dan McAteer (J13 1x) and three silvers; Neil Connell (J15 1x), Katie Jessop and Elizabeth Johnson (WJ14 2x) and Dan McAteer and Harrison Skinner (J13 2x).
This event proved that the hard work that these and many other athletes at the Lea RC have put in over the last year is really starting to pay off.
Everyone agreed afterwards that it been a grand day out!
Dan Cooper