Most of the Molesey members in Beijing are through to next round of the Olympic Regatta.
The first day's racing on Saturday saw Andy Hodge and Tom James win their heat in 6.00.59 in the M4- a fairly comfortable performance in which they looked considerably less tested than the favoured Dutch who won the other heat. Their next race will come on Wednesday as they battle for a spot in the final. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7551269.stm
The M8 with Acer coxing displayed extreme relaxation in their heat. The race was delayed by a day due to an electrical storm that passed over the rowing venue on Sunday afternoon but the boys showed an exceptional level of relaxation, pulling clear water ahead of the fancied current Olympic champions, the USA. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7553407.stm
The boys looked strong and relaxed and this success puts them in an excellent situation for the final on Sunday. Evidently the Molesey half of their coaching team (John West) has taught them that it's best to do it his way! http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/07/gb_rowers_do_it_their_way.html
Steve Rowbotham (although not strictly a Molesey man anymore did spend a few years with us and managed to survive living in a house with Stinky and Chris so he deserves a mention) won his heat in the M2X with Matthew Wells and is into the next round.
There has been one Molesey man out of the competiton however as Tom Solesbury racing in the pair with Robin Bourne-Taylor and coached by none other than our very own Peter "Shep" Shephard, finished 4th in their repecharge and didn't make the semi-finals. Still with such a short period together in the pair these boys really did put in everything they could before finishing just over 3 seconds off the qualifying pace.
So a rather positive start from the Molesey contingent in Beijing prompting Crossy to comment that "Molesey was definately the best club in China." http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/06_june/19/olympics38.shtml
