News

 Posted: 11 November 2022

Scotland were well represented at the GB Rowing Team Senior and Under 23 Open Trials held in Boston, Lincolnshire last weekend. Athletes underwent a 2k ergo and 5k water assessment over the course of two days to demonstrate progress and form at this early point in the season.

The ergo assessment saw strong performances and a huge haul of personal bests recorded from the Scottish contingent. Cameron Buchan (Edinburgh University) and Karen Bennett (Leander Club) were the quickest Scots, placing 7th and 16th in open men’s and women’s categories respectively. Lily Young and Dan Jones (Edinburgh University) trialing in the lightweight category both impressed, winning their 2k ergo.

2022 GB under 19 internationals Josh Matthews (Edinburgh University) and Maisie Aspinall (Aberdeen University) both recorded personal bests on the 2k ergo, a positive result given that both have transitioned into university recently.

Perri McCluskey led the way for the ‘home-based’ female athletes, finishing 21st in the 2k ergo. Fellow Strathclyde Park RC member, Catriona Norval set a personal best on her trials debut to place 31st. Izzy Clements, Anna Buchanan, Catriona Taylor, Andrew Stoker and Ben Nussey (all Edinburgh University) also set 2k ergo personal bests, many on their senior / under 23 GB trials debut. Leander Club based Scots, Abigail Topp and Laura McKenzie were both in action too with Laura breaking the 7-minute mark over 2k for the first time. Laura recently competed at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals and is part of the Commonwealth Beach Sprints team heading out to Namibia to represent Scotland this month.

On Sunday, attention turned to the water and athletes were assessed over a 5k time-trial on the River Witham. Multiple Olympic medalist, Helen Glover (Marlow RC) won the women’s single sculls with Callum Dixon (Twickenham RC) taking the win in the men’s single sculls. The Leander pairing of Jacob Dawson and Matt Rossiter were fastest over the 5k course in the men’s pair. 

Josh Matthews who is part of the British Rowing Start Programme, based at Strathclyde Park finished an impressive 3rd in the under 23 category. Dan Jones who has recently moved to Scotland to train with fellow lightweight Dale Flockhart (Edinburgh University), backed up his ergo performance, finishing first on the water in the lightweight category. His time placed 9th in the open men’s single scull. Cameron Buchan was another top 20 finisher, recording the 19th quickest time over the 5k course in the open men’s category.

Photo by AllMarkOne

This year, all women were required to trial in a single scull which made for a competitive race. Former Dundee University Club Captain Eleanor Brinkhoff, now representing Leander Club, backed up her personal best on the 2k ergo with a 16th place finish. Perri McCluskey was the quickest ‘home-based’ Scot, placing 29th.  Aberdeenshire’s Abigail Topp finished 6th under 23 and Lily Young was 3rd in the under 23 lightweight category. Hannah Supple and Anna Buchanan also finished inside the top 20, crossing the line 9th and 16th quickest under 23 respectively.

Results are listed at the end of the article.

Colin Williamson, Head of Rowing at Edinburgh University said:

“The erg scores were strong and reflected the focus we have put into our land training in this early part of the season. There were some encouraging performances on the water too, but more speed to find. I’m confident that we can build on this good base and be in contention for international selection in the summer.”

Athletes will now return to training ahead of the winter head racing season with the next open senior / under 23 trial taking place in February. Some of the leading under 23 and senior athletes will receive invites to the closed December assessment at Caversham where the 2022 season GB senior internationals will make their return to the trials process. This weekend, it’s the turn of our top under 19 athletes and their coaches to head to Boston for their Early ID trial. Race report to follow.

Senior and U23 GB Trials Results – November 2022 
Selected ‘Home-Based’ Athletes Only

Men’s 1x

Dan Jones (Edinburgh University) - 1st LM, 9th OM

Josh Matthews (Edinburgh University) - 3rd U23, 15th OM

Cameron Buchan (Edinburgh University) - 19th OM

Men’s 2-

Ben Nussey (U23) & Andrew Stoker (Edinburgh University) – 29th OM

Women’s 1x

Perri McCluskey (Strathclyde Park RC) - 29th OW

Catriona Norval (Strathclyde Park RC) - 78th OW 

Lily Young (Edinburgh University) - 3rd U23 LW 

Hannah Supple (Edinburgh University) – 9th U23

Anna Buchanan (Edinburgh University) - 16th U23

Izzy Clements (Edinburgh University) - 21st U23 

Maisie Aspinall (Aberdeen University) - 27th U23

Catriona Taylor (Edinburgh University) - 34th U23