Youth Games: Hackney crews make splash for rowing gold

Borough squad tops podium at London Regatta

Hackney swept away the competition to take rowing gold at the London Youth Games Regatta at the weekend.

Winning the female coxed doubles while also medalling in male coxed doubles, female single sculls and mixed quads, enabled Hackney’s crew to fully demonstrate their prowess across the events to top the overall leaderboard.

Hammersmith & Fulham finished close behind in silver medal position after collecting four medals from the eight rowing events, while Redbridge placed consistently to take home bronze.

Rowers from all over the capital came to participate in this year’s London Youth Games Rowing Regatta at the London Regatta Centre by City Airport.

The athletes were tested by blustery winds out on the water and the roasting heat of a sweltering summer day – with only a few unlucky competitors ending up cooling off in the chilly water!

Annamarie Phelps, chairman of Great British Rowing, was in attendance to show her support to the young rowers in the morning, cheering along with the excitable crowds of spectators.

Defending gold medalists Richmond made a great start to win the male single sculls ahead of last year’s overall runners-up Wandsworth, as both boroughs looked like repeating their success from 12 months ago.

And when Wandsworth reversed the role to cross the line first in the female coxed quads final, their claims for further silverware only grew stronger and a similar podium made up of last year’s top three boroughs seemed to be forming.

However, Hackney came back in force to consistently finish among the top five crews in the remaining six events, and in doing so they edged both of the reigning gold and silver medalists off the podium.

A spokesperson said: “A fantastic sunny day on the water at the London Regatta Centre, showcasing the very best of London Youth Games rowing. Congratulations to all that competed and Hackney for being crowned 2017 champions!”