The Club’s Roller Racing championship provided added spice to this year’s Annual Prize Giving, with three exciting competitions over the evening. The racing complemented an evening that celebrated the club’s champions across the wide range of competitions in the club over the 2016 season.
A full list of all the winners is below, but notable winners include Paul Vickers with a haul of 5 trophies from a great season of TT racing. Zoila Gilham-Fernandez came away with literally armfuls of trophies in a very fruitful season. As well as her TT racing, Zoila’s 2016 included an attempt at the Race across America, which no doubt contributed to the well deserved award of the 60th Anniversary Tankard for Endeavour.
Zoila Gilham-Fernandez staggers away with her trophy haul
The Club’s Triathletes were well represented during the evening after what has been a great season of competition. Winners of the Club Triathlon Championships at Fritton Lake in July meant a raft of new prizes to be awarded across multiple distances and age groups. Winner of the Hoxley Cup, voted by all members, was Helen Samuel after her performance in the Lisbon ETU Triathlon European Sprint Championships.
Helen picks up the Hoxley Cup
Triathletes were also very evident in the night’s roller racing with representation in all three finals. After individual 500m time trials to determine seeding, the night got noisier as the knockout rounds began. The first men’s knockout round went to form, the only surprise being a disqualification for Boyd Nicholas for a false start. The Youth semi-finals were hard fought; Megan Free won a tight race with Harley Gregory and Oscar Woodward saw off a strong challenge from Charlie Knowler to set up an enticing final.
Megan Free works hard to clinch a final place
The club’s young riders were recognised in the prize giving, with Kirsten O’Brien and Fraser Elsworth receiving the Schoolgirl and Schoolboy championships. Miles Taylor won the Junior cup and Megan the Silver Spoon Trophy. Despite their exit from the Roller Racing, Harley and Charlie had a good evening, with Harley picking up the Richard Pike Cup for his championship in the 2015/16 cyclo-cross season and Charlie winning the Novices Cup for his superb National Hill Climb Championship.
Neville struggles to hold on as Nicole powers to the win
The first roller racing final of the evening was the Ladies final, pitting Hannah Mclnroy Naylor against Nicole Gregory. They were neck-a-neck until the final 150m when Nicole edged ahead to take the win.
The Youth final was another hard fought affair, with an all-out effort required from Oscar to edge out a determined Megan.
Oscar wins the Youth Roller Racing Trophy
The men’s final was a comprehensive victory for former champion Chris Hinnett, shaking off a day on duty at Portman Road while opponent Phil Clark was unable to recover from a hard fought semi-final run off.
A relaxed Chris Hinnett in the calm before the storm
The final Prize presentation of the evening was an emotional Lifetime Achievement award for Chairman Neville Pettitt, presented by President Don Picking to a standing ovation from those present. Neville thanked all club members for their support and encouraged them to continue organising events so that he can continue to help out!
An emotional Neville receives recognition for his immeasurable contribution to the club
Special thanks must go to timekeepers Don Picking and Geoff Byne, bike wranglers Neville and David Ballam, buffet prepared and served by Helen Ballam supported by Brenda Picking, photography Malcolm Macfarlane (more photos available – click here), trophy management (and polishing!) by Richard Farrow and an excellent prize compere in Mr Paul Callow. Final thanks and congratulations must go to all the trophy winners and roller racers for making the event a great night.
Michael Lawson
Trophy Winners
Senior Ladies
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Quantril Trophy | Fastest Ladies 10 Mile TT | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| Cross Trophy | Fastest Ladies 25 Mile TT | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| Ladies 50 Cup | Fastest Ladies 50 Mile TT | Not Awarded |
| Ladies TT Champion | Best Lady Time Triallist (Award) | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| Millennium Trophy | Highest Place Lady in Evening TT Series | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| Rose Bowl | Winner of ladies Roller Racing Competition | Nicole Gregory* |
| Senior Female Track Champion | Highest place senior Female at Eastern Region Track Champs | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (17-34) | Hannah Mclnroy Naylor |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (35-47) | Dawn D’Amarco |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (48-60) | Julie Reeves |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (61+) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (61+) | Jill Wilshaw |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (17-34) | Laura Brown |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (35-47) | Annie Drugan |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (48-60) | Julie Reeves |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (61+) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (61+) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (17-34) | Hannah Mclnroy Naylor |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (35-47) | Nichola Bennett |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (48-60) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (61+) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (61+) | Not Awarded |
*2017 winner
Senior Men
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Scott Cup | Fastest Mens 25 Mile TT | Paul Vickers |
| Henley Cup | Fastest Mens 50 Mile TT | Paul Vickers |
| 100 Mile TT Cup | Fastest Mens 100 Mile TT | Dale Sturman |
| Chenery Rose Bowl | Winner of Club Roller Racing Competition | John Brooks |
| Senior Male Track Champion | Highest place senior Male at Eastern Region Track Champs | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (17-34) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (35-47) | Philip Clarke |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (48-60) | Malcolm Macfarlane |
| Triathlon Super Sprint (61+) | Winner Club Championships Super Sprint Series (61+) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (17-34) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (35-47) | Pip Moore |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (48-60) | Malcolm Macfarlane |
| Triathlon Sprint Distance (61+) | Winner Club Championships Sprint Distance (61+) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (17-34) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (17-34) | Not Awarded |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (35-47) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (35-47) | Matt Shingleton |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (48-60) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (48-60) | James Heath |
| Triathlon Standard Distance (61+) | Winner Club Championships Standard Distance (61+) | Not Awarded |
Men and Ladies
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Ray Legg 12 Hour Shield | Greatest Distance in 12 Hour TT | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| St Edmunds BAR | Highest Average – 25/50/100 | Richard Farrow |
| Fred Adams BAR | Highest Average – 10/25/50 | Paul Vickers |
| 25 Mile Handicap Shield | Winner of Club 25 Handicap | Andrew Ward |
| 10 Mile Handicap Shield | Winner of Club 10 Handicap | Boyd Nicholas |
| Collard Shield | Winner of Collard Shield Points | Richard Farrow |
| Evening Points Trophy | Winner of Evening TT Points | Richard Farrow |
| Bill Williams Cup | Highest Placed Club Member in WSW Open 25 TT | Paul Vickers |
| Coe Shield | Winner of Club Hill Climb | Richard Farrow |
| Fred Filby Memorial Trophy | Winner of Boxing Day TT | David Young |
| Glasswell Cup | Best Single Road or Circuit Race | Jake Towler |
| Grindsted Chalice | Most Consistent Road Racer | Jake Towler |
| Senior Track Points Champion | Most points at Welwyn Track League by Senior Member | Not Awarded |
Youth
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Junior Cup | Best Junior Competitor (17and18) – All disciplines, including Triathlon | Miles Taylor |
| Schoolgirl Trophy | Best Schoolgirl Under 17 years at all categories, including Triathlon | Kirsten O’Brien |
| Schoolboy Championship Shield | Best Schoolboy Under 17 years at all categories, including Triathlon | Fraser Elsworth |
| Richard Pike Cup | Best Schoolboy Under 17 years at cyclo-cross | Harley Gregory |
| Youth Track Champion | Highest place youth (Male or Female) at Eastern Region Track Champs | Not Awarded |
| Youth Track Points Champion | Most points at Welwyn Track League by Youth | Not Awarded |
| Silver Spoon Trophy | Best young rider at evening youth events | Megan Free |
| Roller Racing Trophy | Winner of Youth Roller Racing Competition | Oscar Woodward* |
*2017 winner
Vets
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Vets Tankard | Best competitor 40 years or over – Male or Female – All disciplines, including Triathlon | Paul Vickers |
All
| Trophy | Description | 2016 Winner |
| Off Road Events Trophy | Best competitor overall at all off road categories | Mike Bowen |
| Novices Cup | Best competitor in First Year of competition – Male or Female – All disciplines, including Triathlon | Charlie Knowler |
| Fordham Trophy | Best Competitor Male or Female at Grass Track Racing | Harley Gregory |
| Ensign Trophy | Most Weekend Club Runs | Not Awarded |
| Golden Spike | Most Punctures / Mishaps | Not Awarded |
| Halfwheel | Most entertaining freewheel episode | Not Awarded |
| The Hoxley Cup | Triathlete of the year, a short list is drawn up listing members performances and then voted for by all members | Helen Samuel |
| Transitions Trophy | Fastest transition between swim to bike and bike to run. | Matt Shingleton |
| 60th Anniversary Tankard | Awarded for Endeavour | Zoila Gilham-Fernandez |
| Edmund Mothersole Cup | Outstanding Service to the Club | Michael Lawson |
Special
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Immeasurable Service to the Club | Neville Pettitt |