Portora Boat Club raced on the Upper Bann at Portadown on Saturday, bringing home a record six wins including three for Helen Flanagan.

In Club sculling events the Women’s coxless quad led by Marcella O’Reilly, pulled away significantly from a much younger crew from Newry Boat Club. Win number one for Flanagan.  In their first race together the men’s Club quad beat Lagan Scullers in an impressive performance. A bright future beckons for this crew.

In the Masters Singles Helen Flanagan started with a handicap of eight seconds to the older British Silver Medallist from Portadown. Flanagan took the initiative early on and was in the lead after a minute, winning her second medal handsomely.   

Impartial Reporter: Portora Prize Winners; back row L- R Louis Hesbrook (Portadown Boat Club Captain) Chris Allen, Barry King, Shane McGovern, Sonja Cassidy, Simon Crawford, Keith Nixon, Colm McCreesh. Front Row L-R; Jane Crooke, Marcella O'Reilly, Helen Flanagan, Siobhan O'Hare, Gerry Murphy, Janet Murphy, Carmel Dane, Cheryl Ballantine, Chrissie Lunny, Valerie Crawford.Portora Prize Winners; back row L- R Louis Hesbrook (Portadown Boat Club Captain) Chris Allen, Barry King, Shane McGovern, Sonja Cassidy, Simon Crawford, Keith Nixon, Colm McCreesh. Front Row L-R; Jane Crooke, Marcella O'Reilly, Helen Flanagan, Siobhan O'Hare, Gerry Murphy, Janet Murphy, Carmel Dane, Cheryl Ballantine, Chrissie Lunny, Valerie Crawford. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

The men’s masters doubles final had Portora athletes in two crews.  In the final Portora/City of Derry had a fine race to beat Lagan Scullers from Belfast.

The Women’s and Men’s Masters eights both won but with different circumstances. The Portora over 55 Women’s crew, coxed by Flanagan just managed to hold off a crew of over 43s from Bann Rowing Club.  Win number three for Helen.  The Men’s Masters eight led by Chris Allen in the stroke seat, with a City of Derry substitute, came back from a huge handicap to win well.

The Portora Women also had two crews in the Masters Coxed quads, each performing admirably.  Unfortunately, the untested Women’s Masters double were beaten by a much more experienced Portadown crew. The Men’s Masters coxed four almost achieved a miracle coming back from a 23 second handicap to lose by less than a second.

Club Chairman Valerie Crawford had mixed emotions:  “This week one of our most popular members Jonny Gibson passed away. On Saturday he was never far from our thoughts, he spurred us on. He helped us stay ahead and he helped us chase down other crews.

"We came away from Portadown Regatta with six wins, a club record at a single event including three spectacular ones from Helen Flanagan sculling and coxing. The club is now considering a fitting way to remember our club mate and friend Jonny.”

In the coming weeks, Portora crews will be training to compete at the British Masters Championships in mid-June. This 1,000m event will be held at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.