Inverness Rowing Club scullers, Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter, successfully defended their title as winners of the women's Vet C (43-49yrs) double sculls in the Veteran Henley Regatta over the weekend.

Their two length win over Bewdley RC in the final followed two decisive earlier races over Norwich RC and Berda RC from the Netherlands. Racing was hampered by very wet, windy weather with occasional hail. The Inverness crew won the same event last year over a fancied double from Boston, USA.

Tom Baker, also from Inverness RC, teamed up with Peter Wells from Itchen Imperial R.C. in their first race together, to compete in the men's Vet D (50-55yrs) double sculls. Their first round opposition, Dart Totnes RC of Devon, struggled to maintain a straight course, but managed to pull away from the Inverness composite.

Good steering is essential at Henley as the wooden booms on the edge of the course are very unforgiving, and the race umpires do not tolerate crews which stray out of their station.

Mandy Towrie and Susanne Standish-Hunter also competed in the women's Vet C coxed fours event, together with Ailie Ord of Clydesdale RC and Alison Hulme of St Andrew BC.

Unfortunately they were beaten by a length in their semi final against the eventual winners, a Sons of the Thames Composite crew.