QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 49
NW TIME TRIALS
Racing for the region- Singles
The Junior Inter-Regional Regatta (JIRR) North West Time Trials for
singles took place at Agecroft Rowing Club in Salford on 25th
January. These time trials serve as the selection process for the
North West region squad ahead of the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta
later in the season, so the stakes are high and the standard is
consistently strong.
Single sculling is one of the most demanding disciplines in the sport.
Racing solo over the course with no crew to share the load requires
real mental as well as physical toughness, and our rowers rose to the
challenge.
Queen's Park Chester sent a healthy contingent of scullers and
produced some impressive results. While we weren9t successful to
gain a place, the racing was competitive and the experience of single
sculling at this level is invaluable preparation for the season ahead.
Podium finishes & regional selection
The second leg of the JIRR North West selection process took place
at Northwich Rowing Club in early March, with crew boat events
contested over a sprint time trial course. This is always a lively event.
Seeing the variety of boats from doubles and pairs to quads racing
flat out on the Weaver makes for a terrific day of racing.
Queen's Park Chester produced some excellent results across
several categories. Our Women's J16 2x finished 3rd (6:13.6) in a
closely contested five-boat field, just behind Trafford (1st, 6:07.0) and
Grange School (2nd, 6:07.1) - a real photo finish for the top spots!
Our Women's J15 2x also performed well, taking 3rd (6:23.0) behind
Royal Chester and Grange School.
In the Women's J14 2x, our crew crossed the line in 2nd place
(6:48.1), a superb result for Ava and Margaux. Our Women's J15
4x+ came home 4th (6:11.5) and Phoebe and Millie rowing in WJ16
2- took 1st place (6:29.1), winning their event outright - a brilliant
performance! They are going on to represent the region in April. Our
Boys' J14 2x finished 4th (6:16.0) in a competitive six-boat field.
Congratulations to all crews who raced, and well done to those
selected to represent the North West region at the JIRR in April.
Our J15 crews were also out in force.
The Boys' J15 4x+ Band 3 finished 4th
(16:22.2) in a strong field, and we had
two Boys' J14 4x+ boats on the water,
finishing 4th (17:26.4) and 5th
(17:42.9) respectively. The Girls' J15
4x+ crews gave strong accounts of
themselves too, with three crews
competing across Bands 1 and 2,
including finishes of 4th, 5th and 6th.
Our Girls' J14 4x+ boats finished 3rd
(17:37.8) and 6th (20:30.3).
Congratulations to all who raced, and
a special thank you to the volunteer
marshals and officials from clubs
across the region. Events like this can
only happen thanks to the collective
effort and support of the rowing
community.
