News

Bann Rowing Club sculler competes in the 172nd Durham Regatta Saturday 10 June 2006.


Racing is along the racecourse in Durham City, on the River Wear. Most racing is over a 700 metre short course but the Elite events see crews racing over 1800 metres and having to negotiate the twist of Elvet Bridge at race pace – no mean feat!

Victor Hamill won his heat as Vet F against a Talkin Tarn Sculler who as Vet G was afforded a 5 second start. Racing in brilliant, hot and sunny conditions, in front of thousands of spectators, Victor’s race was a model of his technical sculling ability and he won in convincing style. In the final, Victor raced against Durham’s Bill Parker who as Vet H had a massive 10 seconds start and has won this event many times in previous years. Despite Victor’s best efforts, he was unable to draw level but finished just a couple of lengths behind Parker. This was the first time that Bann had competed at Durham Regatta and many friendships have been made.

Durham Regatta is known nationally as “The Henley of the North” and this year there were 550 races over two days – with racing every two minutes! Victor was delighted to meet up with his friend and life long supporter of Bann Rowing Club, Russell Kernahan who was acting as a Judge for the racing.

The Hamill family was also well represented as current members of Durham Amateur Rowing Club, Jonathan and Lesley Hamill raced both days. Lesley having recently won a rowing point rowed in a Senior 3 coxed eight and Jonathan who also recently won a qualifying sculling race at Tees Regatta competed at Senior 3 sculling and also in a Veteran coxed four.

Photos of the racing will be available at www.ian-smith.co.uk and results at www.durham-regatta.org.uk