Poplar Sculler Dominates Euro Masters Regatta with Six Gold Medals
The picturesque rowing course in Bled, Slovenia, widely considered one of Europe’s most beautiful, recently played host to the Euro Masters Regatta, where a remarkable performance by “Miggsy” of Poplar, adorned with six new gold medals, stole the show.
The regatta kicked off with a strong start for Miggsy on the first day, securing the first gold medal in an “I” quad (average age 75+), a victory that undoubtedly helped settle any pre-race nerves. Just two hours later, attention shifted to the “H” single sculls heat. The primary objective of the trip was to defend the Masters “H” single sculls trophy for the fastest overall time in the super final. Heat winners receive a gold medal, with the top six overall progressing to the highly anticipated Trophy event. Miggsy’s heat performance was executed flawlessly: a steady, straight, and level start, followed by a robust race. A time of 4:13 placed him as the third fastest, securing Poplar’s spot in the coveted Trophy race.
Friday brought the much-anticipated “H” trophy final. The vast lake presented challenging conditions with a strong, following wind creating significant choppiness. Despite this, Miggsy executed a careful start. Early on, a German competitor and another British sculler from Sons of the Thames (who had posted a 4:02 in their heat) held a lead of just over a length. However, Miggsy settled into a strong rhythm, maintaining composure through the challenging water. By the halfway mark, he had established a lead of approximately one length, while Sons of the Thames and Ratzeburg battled fiercely for second place, closing rapidly. A powerful push to the finish line saw Poplar cross first, a mere one second ahead of Germany, who in turn was one second clear of Sons of the Thames, culminating in a truly competitive and thrilling race.
Saturday proved to be another busy and successful day with three races scheduled: the “H” quad, “G” single, and “H” double. The “H” quad saw the same successful combination as the “I” quad, with Miggsy of Poplar at stroke, Rod Stewart from Upper Thames at 3, Lee Brown, also of UTRC, at 2, and Tom Bishop from Quintin at bow. Their coordinated technical effort resulted in another impressive win. The “G” single race, though only featuring four competitors, saw Miggsy deliver another solid performance, securing his fifth gold medal. The final race of the regatta was the “H” double, where Miggsy teamed up with an old friend from Thames Tradesmen, Lee, who had been part of the 1976 Grand VIII. Despite a slow start, the duo quickly found their rhythm, maintaining solid work and consistent communication. A late surge ensured a comfortable finish, rounding off a remarkable regatta with his sixth gold medal.
Overall, the trip was a resounding success, blessed with glorious hot and sunny weather, though occasionally blustery conditions added an interesting element to the heat. The regatta’s organization was lauded as exceptionally slick and efficient, with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere from the local community. Looking ahead, Bled is set to host the World Masters Regatta in September 2026. For those seeking a compelling objective, Bled appears to be an ideal destination, offering both stunning scenery and world-class rowing facilities.
