For the first time, the iconic Leander Club of Henley-on-Thames held an event at the Head of the Charles, Saturday October 19 during the 2013 regatta. The club which is so closely linked to the Henley Royal Regatta and the tradition of the sport of rowing, has numerous American members.
The Leander Club is identifiable; they have a long-standing claim on the cerise (pink) way before the 'pink ribbon.' of breast cancer awareness fame. It also has the gusto to earn 111 Olympics medals and the humor of a hippopotamus mascot on almost ever piece of rowing kit.
This year, prompted by the American members of its 3,500 total membership, Leander Club held a reception at the Harvard Club in the heart of Boston. "This is the first elite athletic event since the Boston Marathon bombing," said new president Jeremy Randall. At the end of the program Randall adopted the role of auctioneer and sold several items signed by the British Rowing Team (Team GB) to enthusiastic guests to benefit Team River Runner.
The event, organized by Boston Leander Club member Phil Meers and his fiancee Therese Rohrbeck, featured a presentation by Debbie Flood, the club first female captain in its 196-year history. Flood spoke of her path to three Olympics, the two silvers she earned, and the years of grueling training. "I absolutely feel it was all worth it," she considers,"I have met so many amazing people," says the Captain, who says the camaraderie of the sport is what makes her Captain role at Leander so rewarding.
During her heartfelt speech, she produced the torch she carried during the Olympic procession prior to opening ceremonies, and one of her Olympic medals. She admits, "I lost one." She also added that everyone can come up and see the items, and "don't worry about touching them, this torch has been dropped, closed in a car door..." Many guests took a turn posing with the torch, one making an impressive bid at a Hermes, God of Travelers role.
The Leander Club president says he hopes the event becomes an annual celebration, and he also hopes to be more involved in the regatta, perhaps offering a category award.
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