After the Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand won his race, easily, stroking at a 21 during most of it against Coleman of Nottingham and Union Rowing Club in the UK, the rain began its afternoon visit on the Thames. It could have been the rain dance, but the permission to wear wellies was taken to heart. The course gets muddier walking to the start by Temple Island/The Barrier, but at the Enclosures it is almost civilized. Not sure how long they can keep it that way--the bluster of the afternoon left everyone sodden, but willing to enjoy the atmosphere.
The comment overheard as Green Lake Crew came down in their challenge for the Thames Cup for men's eights was "now that's a race!" The crews came in front of the Stewards Enclosure even, and both matched a progressive increase in rating 36-37-38, ultimately Green Lake Crew lost by 2 feet, a narrow margin for the athletes that came over the pond for this--but a well-rowed race against London Boat Club. Unfortunately, Syracuse lost in their Temple Challenge match against University of West London. This one was close too. Although not the desired result for the Orange, it was nice to see some close racing-it clearly was bringing out the best in the crews. Colgate University "A" four completed their bid at the Prince Albert Challenge today, losing to a powerful Goldie Boat Club crew, made up of up-and-comers from Cambridge. Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club fell today as well; this one was a tough loss to Agecroft Rowing Club, who won "easily," ouch. The Brown University pair of Marcus and Kirk rowed a difficult match-up against Germans Mueller and Mueller for the Silver Goblets and Nickall's Challenge Cup. The German crew rowed and won very nicely, and will face the South African pair of Donovan Di Clemente and Ramon Cech, who earned a bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004, tomorrow. I'm going to pull up a wet chair for that one.
No need to dwell on the bad news, eh? All crews rowed well in some tough conditions, and as mentioned, these were excellent races, no regrets. The afternoon session started with California Berkeley winning easily (again) against Reading University crew on Bucks station, tomorrow their will be a US match-up with Georgetown for the Temple Challenge. Potomac Boat Club, who won today against London Boat Club, will open the racing in the morning with The Tideway Scullers' School at their starboard side.
Cornell has had no easy races thus far at Henley. They rowed from the Buckinghamshire side of the fabled waterway at every start, no conjecture here on if that is a more difficult path, but they got to see plenty of their draw partners, winning by two lengths regardless. They have a strong finish, hopefully they don't have to throw down to win again tomorrow against University of Bristol; their legs could use a break from lactate production.
Brown eights will be on the water in full-force Friday, with the women taking a first stab a the Remenham Challenge Cup against Thames and Leander Rowing Club combined boat, while the men hope to take another step closer in the Ladies' and Temple Challenges.
Folks, you don't need a rundown of tomorrow's races now, we'll see them soon enough. Time to sign off with a few observations:
*looks like to places to wear jeans, listen to alternative and/or funky old music is The Boathouse (just above the Regatta Enclosure) and the Upper Thames Enclosure. The clientele seems far less prissy (witness the Rain dance) and certainly have some familiarity with some Henley traditions: Pimms and being on a Thames bank.
*Racing here, for American crews that see heat after heat of 6 lanes, is a do-or-die game. Do win? See the water tomorrow. Don't? See the pub.
*Twist on hats: there is style at Henley I am unfamiliar with, forgive me for seeming gauche, but what are those flower-tulle-feather arrangements on ladies' heads? I don't see that catching on in the States.
*Looking forward to these races, count on more words. Thomas Jefferson, Harvard/ Radcliffe premier on the course in 2007, any Diamond Sculls, Hillary Gehman taking a slide down the Thames (the first time in competition since Athens), Cornell (hoping for a easy row at low rating for the boys), and the Cal-Georgetown race. If I missed anyone, sorry! Really enjoying all the racing, keep it exciting, will ya?
Comments | Log in to comment |
There are no Comments yet
|