The bitter battle for a place in the Henley finals resulted in some excellent races on Saturday. Indeed, but for the luck of the draw, some of these could easily have been finals.
For crews who aren't used to it, side by side racing can be a bit of a shock, especially as the Bucks station has been claiming some notable victims over the last few days. The knockout format is brutal and unforgiving of mistakes, for with no reperchanges to fall back on, even a small mistake can cost a crew the race.
BRIT
The 1st semi final for the Brit was a fantastic race. Harvard 'A led Ravens boat club (rumoured to be upcoming South African squad types) from the start, but Ravens held on for grim death and kept coming back. Passing Remenham club, the South Africans had closed the gap to 1/2L and continued to attack, taking the rate up to 40 and closing the gap to a canvas as they passed the enclosures. With Ravens rating 42 as they passed the grandstand, Harvard also picked it up and secured themselves a row in the final by 1/3 L. The other semi final in the Brit, was an easier run, Harvard B sitting on London from the start and cruising to a confortable victory.
PE
Both Groton and Tabor lost out in the semis of the Princess Elizabeth, which means it will be the first all British final for some time. The Groton - Abingdon race was very exciting; the Groton 6 man crabbing twice immediately after the start -- on 4th 4th and 8th stroke -- handing Abingdon a 1 1/2L lead on a plate. Groton, to their credit, never gave up and challenged Abingdon the whole way down the course. They gradually closed the gap and at one point it really looked like they might row through Abingdon but in the end they couldn't quite find the extra boat speed, losing by 1/2 L.
In the Tabor - St Pauls semi, St Pauls took an early lead and pushed it out to 3L, they never really looked under pressure from the American crew, winning comfortably.
TEMPLE
The Marist - Harvard race was antother very close and exciting race. Taking full advantage of the Berks station Marist shot off the start, stealing an early lead on Harvard, by Fawley hey had settled and were sitting on the Harvard crew by 1L. Harvard then responded and closed to gap to 1/3L. For a while it looked like Marist were going to be able to sit on them but by Remenham club Harvard had closed the gap to a few feet. Passing the mile 1/8 post, Harvard decided they meant business and powered through Marist to a 3/4 L win.
LADIES PLATE
The Old Edwardians, hit the booms near the start, giving Harvard a 1/2L lead which they extended over the course to win comfortably. The Old Edwardians never managing to show what they are capable of. Harvard race Molesey in the final.
The crimson and white brigade will be happy going into Sunday's finals with one guaranteed medal in the Brit (Harvard A will be racing Harvard B), and chances at another two. In both the Ladies and the Temple Harvard have drawn the better Berks station and are likely to use it well to their advantage, though Brookes will be a tough nut to crack in the Temple.
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