At the same time as Hazel Smith was on one side of the Atlantic winning, and John Sharkey was in the UK, further to the east on the other side of the North Sea the other Smith, former Inverness member Claire McDougall-Smith, won a silver in coxless pairs in Norwegian National Championships over 2000m.

On Saturday 4th September, Inverness Rowing Club’s own closed single sculling event was raced for the Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy over the 500 metre sprint course close to the club’s boathouse on the Caledonian Canal. A total of 8 athletes, four women and four men, ranging in age from 15 to 67 took part in this popular event in calm, sunny conditions with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older and junior members who took part.

Those athletes who fought their way through to semi-final positions were in the first semi – final, John Sharkey and Eileen Mackenzie, whilst Graham Arthur and Meghan Hunter met in the second semi – final.

Progressing by the narrowest of margins, Sharkey and Hunter squeezed through to the final, which was won by the margin of just under 2 seconds by John Sharkey from the fast finishing Meghan Hunter. The impressive Allan Garraway Trophy was presented to the winner by club president Paddy Walsh.

Triple gold medal success was also achieved at the World Masters Regatta at St Catharines in Ontario, Canada when Hazel Smith and Ailie Ord (Strathclyde Park RC) were members of composite crews which won the womens B eights and womens C eights last Thursday and Friday respectively followed by their win in mixed D eights on Sunday.

On Saturday 4th September, Inverness Rowing Club’s own closed single sculling event for the Allan Garraway Single Sculling Trophy will take place over the 500 metre sprint course close to the club’s boathouse on the Caledonian Canal. Club athletes ranging in age from 14 to 67 are expected to take part in this popular event with equalising handicaps being applied in favour of the older and junior members who are due to compete. Qualifying handicaps are due to be posted from 9am that morning with the knockout event for side by side racing starting at approximately 10.30am.

Also, at the World Masters Regatta at St Catherines in Ontario, Canada, Hazel Smith will be part of the Scottish Masters group which will challenge for medals during this annual four day world class event which is expected to be attended by many thousands of athletes from all over the world.