The weather gods smiled down on Poplar Regatta for the second year in a row as the Royal Albert Dock was again bathed in sunshine. From the very first race, which started promptly at 9.00am, to the last race (run ahead of schedule, just before 5.00pm) the weather behaved impeccably. Our commiserations to all those at Tiffin School, who were prevented from enjoying the regatta by a slashed tyre on their trailer.

The freshening tailwind, which gradually increased through the day, meant times became steadily quicker as the day went by, culminating in the S2 VIIIs, which once again saw the 6 minute barrier being breached for 2,000m. Both the victors, Radley College (5m53s), and 2nd placed Imperial College (5m59s) were able to duck under that mark, after a spirited tussle all the way down the course, with Radley easing clear in the last 500m.

Headington School proved to be in fine form throughout the day, capturing their share of the Women's events; and mention must be made of the ease with which Hereford sculler, Young, dominated the final of the Women's J15 1x.

One of the best races came in the final of the J15 VIIIs, where the earlier heats had made it clear that Hampton School and Radley College were the two form crews. So it proved in the final, when the two crews fought stroke for stroke down the course, with Hampton just managing to pull out a length's lead by the line. However, the closest result, and possibly the most exciting race of the day, came in a Novice race,  the final of the Men's Novice IV+. At the line Kingston Grammar School and University of Hertfordshire RC were only separated by one-tenth of a second, after a battle royale all the way down the course. This had spectators roaring on both crews and it was truly a credit to all those involved. The same margin of victory was also seen in the Women's J18 1x final - 'a real gut-buster' in the words of the excited Commentary team - when Ralston of Reading RC just pipped Nesbit of St Neots at the line.

The two Victor Ludorum Trophies were successfully defended by last year's winners, Hampton School in the Men's Event (ahead of St Paul's School and King's College Wimbledon) and Headington School in the Women's Events (ahead of Henley RC and Star RC).
 

Many thanks to all those who competed at this year's regatta, and even more so to all those responsible for the organisation and running of the event. It was truly a credit to all those involved.

We look forward to welcoming back all our competitors next year.
Will anyone be able to challenge Hampton and Headington for the Victor Ludorum titles, preventing them from making it three in a row? Only time will tell....