OFFSHORE coastal rower Tim Fenemore, from Rugby, won triple gold competing at the Welsh Offshore Championships.
Fenemore finished fifth overall in the men’s double, third overall in the mixed quad and second overall in the men’s quad in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire.
The Rugby rower won three gold medals, alongside his respective crews, after posting the fastest time in the 40-year, 50-year and 60-year categories.
Fenemore rows for Northamptonshire-based Hollowell Scullers and teams up with other rowers under a Coastal Barbarians Rowing Club banner.
This allows the 61-year-old to compete at major competitions in masters (40-plus age category) competitions.
He teamed up with Ricky Rouille (Jersey) in the men’s double as the pair led the fleet for the first 700 metres of the race.
However, three crews in the under-40 category overtook Fenemore and Rouille.
The pair navigated choppy waters in the second part of the race as they broke away from all but one other boat – Aberdovey.
The Aberdovey crew pulled ahead in the closing stage of the race despite Fenemore and Rouille’s best efforts.
After a brief rehydration break, the pair took to the water again alongside Jon Osborn (Eastbourne) and Tony Burrows (Dover) in the men’s quad with Andi Davies (Hayling Island) of Dolphin Rowing Club at cox.
A chaotic start saw the wind strengthen rapidly which pushed many boats over the line as Fenemore and his crew managed to stay out of trouble and avoided any penalties.
The crew quickly accelerated to the front slot with only a young crew containing Great Britain hopefuls ahead of them past the one kilometre mark.
Fenemore, Rouille and Davies then teamed up with Jo Price and Rowena Atkins (both Coastal Rowing Academy) in the mixed quad race.
The crew had not rowed together before but made a strong start, staying clear of trouble while other boats clashed in the heavy seas.
Davies steered the crew on a safe course as a couple of faster, younger, crews passed them after the one kilometre stage.
The crew held their position despite a persistent challenge from an experienced Plymouth crew over the remaining three kilometres.
The two crews finished just 10 seconds apart following a 20-minute tussle.
Fenemore and Rouille now hold masters gold medals in the Irish, Welsh, Jersey and British Championships.
