Success for Sharkey and Smith in separate regattas on either side of the Atlantic
posted by Roy Sinclair - 6 Sep 2010, 9:15 a.m.
On Saturday 4th September, Inverness Rowing Club's own closed single
sculling event was raced for the Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy over
the 500 metre sprint course close to the club's boathouse on the
Caledonian Canal. A total of 8 athletes, four women and four men, ranging in
age from 15 to 67 took part in this popular event in calm, sunny conditions
with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older and junior
members who took part.
Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in
the first semi - final, John Sharkey and Eileen Mackenzie, whilst Graham
Arthur and Meghan Hunter met in the second semi - final.
Progressing by the narrowest of margins, Sharkey and Hunter squeezed through
to the final, which was won by the margin of just under 2 seconds by John
Sharkey from the fast finishing Meghan Hunter. The impressive Allan Garraway
Trophy was presented to the winner by club president Paddy Walsh.
Triple gold medal success was also achieved at the World Masters Regatta at St
Catharines in Ontario, Canada when Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park
RC) were members of composite crews which won the womens B eights and womens C
eights last Thursday and Friday respectively followed by their win in mixed D
eights on Sunday.:D