The 4 Nations 1 Minute Row Challenge took place over the weekend of 8-11 May between – Great Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. This mass-participation competition challenged anyone with a rowing machine at home to see how far they could row in one minute. Members of the public competed alongside rowers from each nation’s Olympic and Paralympic teams for individual awards in various age, weight and adaptive rowing categories, with international bragging rights also at stake for the country that could record the furthest combined distance.
Nearly 3000 participants took part with the lead between the 4 nations flicking back and forth in the early stages of the challenge in rhythm with the time zones, but by Monday morning Great Britain had opened up an impressive lead and went on to win, beating Australia into 2nd place.
Several Oundle School pupils took up the challenge and did their bit for Great Britain’s impressive tally.
The most notable performances came from Oliver Whitehead (L) and Harriet White (L).
Oliver competed in the Men’s Age 15-16 category and posted a distance that placed him 2nd in his category for GB and 11th overall.
Harriet had an outstanding result, finishing in 1st place overall in the Women’s Age 17-18 category. Harriet said the weekly training programme had helped her maintain her fitness during lockdown.
Harriet has been a valued member of the boat club for many years. She has continually shown commitment to all aspects of her training and academic studies and therefore has been an excellent role model as girls captain this year. Harriet leads from the front attending additional training and pushing herself to conquer new challenges all the time as shown last year, being the only female in the Lower Sixth to complete the 120 km kayak along the Thames. This achievement over the bank holiday is the cherry on the cake after a year that has been disrupted with unusual weather and circumstances, leading to limited opportunity to represent the School in Head races or Regattas. Harriet will be greatly missed when she leaves at the end of this year to attend university but we look forward to seeing her return to the banks of the Nene to support the club at OO events.
Oundle School Rowers continue to train hard from home using their rowing machines were they can. Those that don’t have a machine follow a weekly program set by the Head of Rowing.
Miss Morris
