STRATFORD-UPON-AVON BOAT CLUB’s Masters ladies pair Gina Fusco and Christine Goodwin won gold in the Northampton Head of the Nene this past weekend.
The duo continued their racing journey with a trip to Northampton Rowing Club which saw them swap seats in their new combination for the first time.
Fusco set the rate and rhythm at stroke whilst Goodwin steered at bow as the pair made a fast start to settle into their race plan quickly.
And the Stratford duo rowed with fluency and precision to finish first in their category, 11 seconds ahead of their Northampton rivals.
Fusco and Goodwin said: “We felt we rowed a good race and our legs gave us the power we needed.
“Special thanks to our coaches Colin and Dani for their continued guidance and encouragement and also to Robert for being our patient support vehicle.
“There is still lots to work to be put in going forward but it has been great to have the training pay off.”
Gina and Christine are affectionately known as ‘Rhubarb and Custard‘ by their Stratford Boat Club colleagues, a reference to their matching kit and general mischief in the boat.
Back in Stratford, the club took part in their own mini head race on the upstream stretch of the Avon with five crews taking part.
Run one started just past Fisherman’s car park to upstream to the top where the boats turned ready for run two returning downstream to the car park.
Two crews then returned to the Club with the other three competing in run three and run four.
The main focus was on results for run’s one and two where the times averaged out to provide a ranking.
Coxless and coxed fours, quads, doubles and a single all took part and the overall ranking for run one and two was calculated with the results adjusted for age and boat type.
Chris Belcher, Midweek Rowers’ Vice Captain and organiser of the mini head said: “A big thank you to the two launch drivers, timekeepers, result recorders and helpers who made the event possible.
“We will do it all again in the spring, hopefully with more single scullers to make the event more challenging!”
