VIII boating at Head of the Charles

All now in Boston safe and well and the sun is shining. Good day's practice on the course today and the boys are being royally entertained by their Belmont Hill hosts. Watching some racing and lunch with supporters tomorrow will provide some relaxation before the race on Sunday.

2nd VIII at Head of the Charles

Off to America

The competitive season for Upper Boats kicks off this weekend with two eights traveling to compete in the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.  We'll be starting 3rd and 20th and it looks like Abingdon are the only other British school making the trip.  They are sure to be strong competition.  As ever, it is difficult to know the lie of the land at this early stage of the year, and it is much harder to pin down all the variables in one's preparation than it is later in the season.  However, we've had a good run of things down at Masters', and the boys are looking forward to the trip.  As ever, we are enormously grateful to Belmont Hill for offering to host us so generously.  The regatta's own website has a wealth of information and provides an excellent results service when the time comes (www.hocr.org).  I'll look to send updates as and when, with hopefully a few pictures of a sunny and picturesque New England in the Fall...

Summer Holiday News

Over the summer five current Etonians rowed for Great Britain at junior level.

At the Coupe de la Jenunesse James Gardner (JDN) won gold in the eight.  At the Junior World Championships, Alastair Camm (MGHM, PB) coxed the four to a place in the A final.  In the coxless four Will Kenworthy (MGHM, PB) was placed 11^th.  Fred Vystavel (PGW) and Luke Briggs (NJR) both raced in the eight, which won silver.

Ian Lawson coached the quad scull at the Junior Worlds.  After a strong performance in their heat (beating the German crew which won bronze) their semi-final was disappointing.  They won the B final comfortably.

Constantine Louloudis OE (Coll) won gold in the coxless pair at the Under 23 World Championships, setting a new world record for that event.

Meanwhile, back at the de-World Championshipped Lake today there were four eights' worth of Upper Boats training, and three eights' worth of Colts.  A promising start to the new year.  The sun even came out for the UB singles' session...

Henley Saturday

The VIII's Henley campaign came to a close fought end against St Andrew's, USA this morning.  The VIII took an early lead of between half and three quarters of a length, but St Andrew's countered powerfully through the middle of the course, to take the lead before the enclosures.  The final verdict was half a length.  You can find a more effusive account here http://www.standrews-de.org/athletics/Henley/index.aspx

In the other semi-final Radley took a very slight early lead, but were undone by a very impressive Abingdon performance, to the tune of three quarters of a length.  Abingdon beat the long standing course record for the PE by 3 seconds, posting a time of 6.19.  It is hard to see them coming off second best tomorrow, and the calibre of their performance today means that they deserve our support in endeavouring to keep the trophy on home shores.

Elsewhere, Harvard's freshmen succumbed to Cal, and it is hard to see them not dealing with the Dutch tomorrow.  In the battle of Captains of Boats past, Mike Evans with Leander beat Ant Locke with Harvard in the Ladies.  Mike will face the Germans tomorrow and we wish him well.  If you're heading to Ladbrookes put your house (or at least the West wing of it) on Upper Yarra to win the Thames.  Temple or Ladies next year I think Alex...

Some final times for tomorrow:
1140 - Temple (worth watching Cal)

1200 - Ladies

Leisurely lunch (or take a chance on the pair)

1450 - Thames

1510 -  PE

1530 - Grand

Dodge traffic by leaving at 1537

 

 

Henley Friday update

The VIII progressed safely into the semi-finals today against Sophie-Barat Schule of Germany.  The Germans showed considerably more speed than they had done earlier in the week, but The VIII steadily extended their lead down the course to win by one and a quarter lengths.  This was a much more assured performance, with their quickest times to Fawley and over the course thus far, without being hard pressed through the enclosures.

Elsewhere in the event there were some cracking races and some fast times.  St Andrews School, USA had to row through a very fast starting Hampton to win by a canvas, and Radley were pushed hard by Shrewsbury.  Both schools recorded times of 6.23, one second outside the long-standing course record.  Abingdon progressed more comfortably against St. Edwards, again posting quick times.  Whatever the results, there will be three great races in what is proving to be a vintage year in the PE.  The VIII were nip and tuck with St Andrews at Marlow, so we wish them well for what will be a close encounter tomorrow.

The VIII race St Andrews at 1150, Abingdon race Radley at 1600.

OE interest is now confined to the Temple and the Ladies.  Harvard's freshmen in the Temple against Cal at 1010 will have a tough job on their hands.  I hope I'm right in saying Ant Locke and Mike Evans will face each other in the Ladies at 1520 (didn't buy a programme today, sorry).  Alex Henshilwood's gathering of Australians might have their first race on their hands against Molesey in the Thames at 1730, but I wouldn't bet against them...

Friday racing

The VIII race at 1520 tomorrow. Stay around for Radley against Shrewsbury at 1540.