WALLINGFORD RC’s Steve Pearson capped a remarkable year with a gold medal at the British Indoor Championships, writes John Wiggins.

Having won with Wallingford crews at the Veterans’ Head of the River, the British Masters Championships and with a record-breaking row to retain the title at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, USA, Pearson went solo on the rowing machine .

At a sell-out competition in the former Olympic venue, Lee Valley Velo Park, the 50-year-old paced the 2000m race perfectly to win by a clear ten seconds in 6mins 41.1secs.

Elsewhere but outdoors and ahead of the Thames Valley snowfall, Wallingford clubmate Christy Job raced over the 3000m course at Walton Small Boats Head in three different age categories.

Job finished fifth in the Masters A (for much younger scullers), third in B and second in her correct age group, C category, behind another Wallingford sculler, Emily Booker.

Booker was herself runner-up in the open IM2 event.