A Dispatch from Henley

One of the highlights of the whole campaign was our young ‘B’ coxed four that we entered into the PA [Prince Albert Challenge Cup]. Formed late in the day of two novices from Tom’s squad and two younger Seniors, they won their first ever race together at Marlow Regatta (Dorney Lake) and were then the fastest crew in the PA qualifiers. They were highly unfortunate to be drawn against our own top 4+ in the first round, otherwise they would surely have caused some others serious problems. They show huge promise for the future, especially as we now seek out suitable successors to defend our trophy!

It was also great to have our first ever women’s crew seeking qualification for the Regatta. Such is the nature of the Regatta, coupled with the proximity of Henley Women’s Regatta, that the Women’s events have more limited spaces available to them and are dominated by genuinely international standard crews. Both Robyn Hart-Winks in the 1x (Princess Royal Challenge Cup) and the Women’s 4x (Princess Grace Challenge Cup) performed well, but missed out by 2 and 4 places respectively. I am sure, given the development of the Women’s programme, that we will have female crews at the regatta soon.

Edinburgh has had one or two crews race on the Saturday before, which is semi-finals day. Although, by quirk of format, that was only in Quarter-Finals when the programme was condensed and they would have had to race twice on the same day. So, this was the first year when we progressed anyone to a semi-final. Much like a bus, we wait 149 years since the club’s formation, and we get two at once…

The 4x are lightweights, and Henley does not have any specific lightweight events. They were also competing in an event of hugely difficult standard. In the first round they were drawn against a Swiss crew made of senior International athletes that was fresh from just missing out on becoming Swiss National Champions in a photo finish in Lucerne. The boys despatched them with surprising ease. They moved on to race a Durham 4x, who were also dealt with without any drama. This had them into the semi-finals on Saturday against a very strong crew from Philidelphia, the Schulykill Navy High Performance Centre. Against much bigger and stronger opponents, into a stiff headwind (a disadvantage to lighter crews) the boys led for much of the race before being out gunned in the second half. It is small consolation that their victors went on to win the event and were the first crew to beat Leander in this event for 7 years. It is a shame that the efforts of the 4x may be slightly overshadowed by the 4+, as in any other year we would be lauding their achievement and rightly so. However, their main goal is the u23 World Championships and they move on to that project now with renewed confidence in their speed.

There is not much to say about the 4+ that has not been said numerous times across numerous formats [competing in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup]. They dealt with their first two opponents with relative ease to make the semi-finals, where they met A.U.S.R Orca, a Dutch crew from Utrecht who I had been worried about after seeing them win an International event in Amsterdam. The boys put together their most complete race to date to overwhelm their opposition, and perhaps make me believe for the first time that we may actually win this thing…

On we went to Sunday. Sunday is an eerie day at Henley. The vast boat tents that house over 400 crews slowly empty as the week progresses until it is just a select few rattling around nervously waiting to bring down the curtain on the event. It is difficult not to let emotion get in the way of performance on a day like that. A good coach once told me “Don’t want it so much that you forget how to row”. So, the crew were cool and calm, which was always going to be difficult in the face of the vast support and goodwill which surrounded them and built to a crescendo as they walked the boat out for the final through a tunnel of supporters and behind rower Harry Newmark playing 'Scotland the Brave' on the pipes. Glad I was wearing sunglasses.

I couldn’t really watch the final, I get too nervous. I paced the car park and kept an ear out for the tannoy that provided the most basic of information. Watching it back on Youtube I was so pleased with the maturity they showed. From being almost a full length down to rowing your opponents down through the enclosures is how most rowers dream of doing it, even if it does put their supporters through extra anguish!

The celebrations were understandably joyous, and it was unbelievable how many never before seen alumni, from as far back as the 60’s, came up to have their photo taken with the crew and express their pride.