Henley Women’s Regatta 2017
The Most Successful Henley Women’s in NUBC History.
Last weekend 31 NUBC women, 3 coaches and a lot of supporters headed down South to compete at Henley Women’s Regatta, with 5 boats entered across 5 different categories. The weekend resulted in 3 boats making it to finals and 2 going on to win! In addition, our very own Sasha Adwani represented GB in a composite Elite women’s 8, racing an exciting final.
The Academic 4+ had an impressive row in their time-trial on Friday. Two novices, having learnt to row just 9 months previously, stepped up to the plate whilst an injured rower made her coxing debut. Unfortunately, the girls were the second fastest non-qualifiers but are already looking forward to next season.
The Senior 4x had a strong row in their time-trial and an exciting race in the heat, beating Reading B by a length and a half #5%Sculling. Saturday morning saw a loss to Oxford Brookes in the quarter final but overall a successful regatta for a young crew who will all be returning next year.
The Senior 8+ had their first race on Saturday morning against WPI from the USA. After a storming start they led and controlled the race, resulting in a 2 length victory. A post-race handshake and kit swap resulted in 9 great WPI girls (plus coach Pat) joining our support team for the rest of the weekend.
The Senior 8+ then raced Harvard Radcliffe Lightweights on Sunday morning in the semi-final and again had a very aggressive row, resulting in a 1 and a quarter length victory.
The Senior 8+ then faced Molesey Boat Club in the final, marking the most successful Senior 8+ campaign in 4 years. Despite another aggressive start Molesey’s strong crew claimed the victory.
The Senior 4-, made up of two long-standing NUBC members and two NUBC freshers, had a strong time-trial setting them up nicely for some tough races to come. Friday afternoon saw the Senior 4- beat Tideway Scullers School by a convincing 3 lengths. On Saturday afternoon they won a victory over St Andrew’s University by 3 and a half lengths; excitingly there was definitely more speed to be found for the hard day of Sunday racing to come.
On Sunday morning the Senior 4- beat long-standing rivals Oxford Brookes by a length in a fiery race. On Sunday afternoon the Senior 4- had by far their best row of the season resulting in a 2 length victory over Imperial, winning them the Frank V Harry Cup in a time of 5 minutes.
The girls now continue their training with the hope of qualifying for the new women’s 4- event at Henley Royal Regatta.
After winning Intermediate Gold at BUCS Regatta, and only one crew member change, the Academic 8+ continued their hard block of training leading up to Henley Women’s Regatta, with the clear aim of retaining Newcastle’s title. Their campaign started with a convincing win in the time-trial on Friday morning, followed by a convincing victory over Nottingham University.
Saturday afternoon saw a 3 and a half length win over Birmingham University as the girls started to consolidate their chunky Newcastle rhythm for a hard day of Sunday racing.
On Sunday morning they faced Bristol University. After a very quick start from both boats Newcastle went on to win by 1 and a quarter lengths. On Sunday afternoon the greatly anticipated Newcastle vs Oxford Brookes Academic 8+ final commenced. In true Blue Star style Newcastle shot out of the blocks and took a length on Oxford Brookes before the barrier. Whilst the commentator worried Newcastle had ‘gone out too hard, too fast’ they continued to move away from Oxford Brookes and won by one and a quarter lengths in a new course record time of 4:48.
Alumni
We must also congratulate Newcastle University Alumna Natalie Hardy, and her pairs partner Lowenna Coad, for their win over the University of London in Elite Lightweight Pairs. They also set a new course record time of 5:35, representing Thames Rowing Club.
Tyne Amateur Rowing Club
Finally, we must mention our neighbours at Tyne Amateur Rowing Club whose double of Amy Bowman and Laura Clack made Sunday’s semi-final beating Tideway Scullers School and Oxford Brookes University.
Five boats entered with four qualifying, three making finals and two winning in record breaking times making this the most successful Henley Women’s Regatta in NUBC History.
