Hundreds expected at annual rowing regatta

ROWERS FROM ACROSS THE REGION are gearing up for this Saturday's Oxford City Regatta on Saturday.
   Hundreds of spectators are expected at the annual races held on the River Thames from Folly Bridge in Oxford.
   This, non-rowers interested in finding out more about the sport are being invited to take part in a fun sprint competition being organized by the  City of Oxford Rowing Club, which hosts the regatta.
   The land-based competition will be held in a tent near the official race finish line a Long Bridges between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm.
   Regatta chairman Paul Azzopardi said: "The rowing machine competition was a huge success when it was run for the first time last year, attracting many participants from the city."
   Seven-year-old Matthew Eccleston and pensioner Andrew Delaney, both from Oxford, were the winners in the youngest and oldest age categories last year.
   The Oxford City Royal Regatta is on of the oldest in the country, dating back to 1841.
  This year 240 crews (some 600 competitors in total), including 48 crews from the city clubs, and 23 Crews from Oxford University, will compete in a total of 60 events.
  Racing will take place over a 1km course on the Thames between Folly Bridge and Long Bridges (near Donnington Bridge).
  The 192 races have been scheduled to run at 2.8 minute intervals throughout the day without a break, between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm.
   Anyone can watch from the towpath, which can be accessed near Folly Bridge near the Head of the River Pub on Abingdon Road, or from Donnington Bridge Road.
  Highlights of the day will include a special Corporate Eights race.