Curlew just so gr-eat

4:14pm Monday 7th June 2004

Following their victory at Poplar Regatta last month, Curlew Rowing Club's women's eight were in great form at the prestigious Metropolitan Regatta, held at Dorney Lake the proposed 2012 Olympic rowing venue in Slough.

Racing against better known clubs such as Wallingford, Upper Thames and Vesta, Curlew's women demolished the field in the S3 eights' category, finishing a full 11 seconds ahead of the second-placed boat (Wallingford) in a time of seven minutes 16 seconds over the 2,000-metre course.

Jill Bister, captain of the Greenwich-based club, said: "For a club as small as Curlew to win at the prestigious Metropolitan Regatta is a fantastic achievement. The women's squad has gone from strength to strength in recent years and is looking forward to putting in some strong performances at the Henley Regatta.

"A number of the women in the winning crew began their rowing careers at Curlew, so this really is a success that the whole club can be proud of."

Pictured with coach Ray Cassidy and Cox Rick Geer (kneeling) are, from left, Lisa Maher, Valerie Keith, Emer McNally, Vicky Stone, Jo Smith, Sarah Bird, Kendra Zink and Annette Keith.