Race report – Peterborough Spring Regatta, May 2026
On the weekend of 30th – 31st May 2026, Isle of Ely entered three promising single scullers into one of the biggest regattas in East Anglia: Peterborough Spring Regatta. The race is a multi-lane (4 lane) 1km course, from a stakeboat start, on a manmade rowing lake. It is highly contested with competitors from all over the country. Lilly T (J15 1x), Matthew T (J18 1x) and Pete W (MasD 1x) were accompanied by their loyal supporters and the club’s fantastic coaches Katie and Victor on this very exciting occasion! Please read on for the scullers’ race reports in their own words.
Lilly Turrell J15 1x
We arrived on Saturday at Peterborough rowing club very early in the morning, maybe 7 o’clock. It was very busy, there were huge boat trailers, some of them were 5 stacks high and had boats underslung too. I’ve not been to a race this big before, but Katie had confidence in us.
My race was the 9th one of the day, so I had to get on the water quickly. I rowed down to the start, Katie biked along with me, which helped to steady my nerves. There weren’t very many people there because it was still early. We had to get in our lanes. There were 4 lanes, but someone dropped out from my first race so there were only 3 of us. We started rowing, I don’t actually remember it! I remember hearing Katie telling me “on the legs Lilly” but that was about it. There was one girl who was fast! She won the race and I came second which meant I went into the REP. I had a bit of time to rest then went back for the REP race, which I won, so I got through to the final.
The final was tough! I was focused on the girl next to me, so I didn’t realise when I got to the 250m mark. Then I saw the red buoys, and thought “Oh, nearly there!” The girl I raced in my first heat, won. I came 3rd overall, but it was very close. It was a good race! I am looking forward to going back next year!
Lilly and Matthew rigging up
Lilly and Matthew with proud Juniors coaches, Katie and Victor
Matthew Turrell J18 1x
Lilly did really well! She gave her best effort and represented the club amazingly well. My first race was around 1pm. It was extremely hot, and rowing in these temperatures is always challenging. Having been injured all last year, I wasn’t sure how I would do. I wasn’t expecting to do well. I rowed to the start line and met with the other rowers in my 1st heat. Our race was called, and we went to stakeboats. I won the race comfortably, with an acknowledgement from Victor that I could have eased off and saved some energy for the next race. On to the semi-finals. Again, I won this comfortably, but this time taking Victor’s advice and settling to a steady pace.
In the final, I was last off the stakeboat, but I made up the distance, and managed to hold a slight lead on the star boat. I started to tire at the end, but managed to hold him off and win the race. It was great to have Katie and Victor riding alongside, giving me encouragement. It was a very close race.
Overall, I really enjoyed the event!
Matthew with his well-deserved prize, and in action!
Pete Woodford MasD 1x
The two Junior scullers, Matthew and Lilly, performed brilliantly on the Saturday in an event that tested their nerve, fitness, and determination. They were a tough act to follow!
I raced on the Sunday. After qualifying comfortably, I had a tough final and finished 3rd, just 0.3 seconds behind 2nd place. With various injuries earlier in the year, I was happy with a respectable time over the 1km course.
I am now training hard, preparing for Henley Masters in July. For a Masters rower, Henley Masters, along with the British Masters and the World Masters, is considered one of the most prestigious races on the race calendar. All are raced over a 1km distance.
I am proud to be flying the flag for IoERC!
Pete Woodford putting in a sterling effort to come third in his final
