Cold winds did not deter High Point’s rowers at the 2015 High Point Regatta. The home town favorites won 11 of 21 boat races they entered. Photo credit Steve Eury.
High Point, NC – Strong winds, cold weather, and choppy water were among the standout memories of the 2015 High Point Regatta. But the race conditions paled in comparison to the races themselves as High Point Rowing Club’s youth and newly formed masters squad earned a swag of medals.
Winds became so strong late in the morning that race organizers were compelled to move the race course away from the dam to the protection of the treeline on the north east side of the lake to maintain safety for the rowers.
“It was a seamless transition,” said Regatta Chair Mary Hollingsworth. “Full marks to our on the water officials for being able to switch the race course in under 5 minutes.”
Other rowing boat races across the eastern seaboard were not so fortunate on Saturday with regattas cancelled due to high winds from Sarasota, FL to Occoquan, VA.
High Point won each of the first six boat races, including the blue ribbon girls and boys First Eights events, and went on to ultimately earn victories in 11 of 21 of the events raced on the day.
Read the High Point Enterprise report online.
Opening the day’s racing was the Masters Maiden Eights event. This boat race was exclusively for rowers engaging in their first ever race and was battled between two High Point crews, most in the first few weeks of rowing. “It was nerve-racking,” said Allison Falls of Jamestown. “You didn’t know what to expect. But we did what we do in practice. We stayed focused and didn’t look around and get distracted. We just tried to do as well as we can.”
Key Race Results:
Girls First Eights
1,500m
1. High Point 5 minutes 36 seconds
2. Triangle 5:47.3
3. Charlotte 6:47
Girls Novice First Eights
1,500m (altered race course)
1. High Point 5 minutes 32 seconds
2. Triangle 5:55
3. Charlotte 6:12
Boys First Eights
1,500m
1. High Point 4 minutes 54 seconds
2. Charlotte 5:02
3. Triangle 5:15
Women’s Division I Masters Eights
1,000 m
1. High Point 3 minutes 51 seconds
2. Cape Fear River 3:56
High Point chief coach Gene Kininmonth said he was delighted with the team’s results across the board. “It was a special day for High Point Rowing Club,” said Kininmonth. “When you look at the performances of the masters crews and the girls squad you have to give a lot of credit to Coach Allie Davis for building these programs.”
“Organizing and running a regatta is hard work. The regatta is bigger this year and I give special thanks to Mary Hollingsworth for organizing all of our volunteers to make it look so easy – which it never is!” said Kininmonth.
Next up for High Point’s youth squad is the Clemson Sprints on April 11 in South Carolina.
