rower Phil Marler of Ellingham, racing for Norwich Rowing Club, secured a gold medal at the National Masters Regatta at the National Watersports Centre on the outskirts of Nottingham on Sunday.
rower Phil Marler of Ellingham, racing for Norwich Rowing Club, secured a gold medal at the National Masters Regatta at the National Watersports Centre on the outskirts of Nottingham on Sunday.
The regatta provides racing for 'masters' rowers - those in excess of 27 years of age, all racing in the various age categories.
The Nottingham venue is infamous in rowing circles for unfavourable conditions, but unusually good weather provided for some evenly-matched, quality racing through the day for the record-breaking entry of 597 crews - 15 of which from the Norwich club (a record for the club also).
Racing in the single scull over a 1,000 metre course, Phil faced opponents from Dart Totnes and City of Sheffield rowing clubs - evidencing the far- reaching, nationwide appeal of this annual event.
Having been beaten in a race earlier in the day by being too slow away from the start and allowing the field to get away, Phil made changes to his race plan for the straight final in his next race event.
This time powering away from the start in to an early lead and settling in to a fast but controlled race pace.
Despite a strong challenge from the Dart Totnes sculler at around the 500 metre mark, Phil was able to respond to match his opponents' moves and maintained the early lead, extending it through the latter stages of the race to win by over two seconds.
Phil said: “It's great to secure a gold medal at an event of this size.
“I've long since wanted to compete at this prestigious event, so to come here and win against quality opposition is a real personal achievement and reward for the many hours of training on
the river.”
Phil's gold medal contributed to a significant medal haul for Norwich Rowing Club with 15 of the veteran squad's athletes coming home with medals of one colour or another and resulting in a second-place finish in the event's club standings, coming in behind Monmouth Rowing Club.
Rowing is a sport that appeals to all ages and anyone interested in rowing can contact Norwich Rowing Club via their website at www.norwichrowingclub.org or Beccles' own rowing club at www.becclesrowingclub.co.uk
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