After a leisurely lunch break, racing began at 2:00 pm sharp. The water was flat, the sky bright and the boat tents crowded with well-wishers in the good weather.
In the first flight of racing, Grand Valley State University Crew were entered in the Prince Albert Challenge for student coxed fours, the race category that dispatched Princeton earlier today. Unfortunately, it lost another US crew in GVSU, with Goldie Boat Club (Cambridge) leading the entire way. From the umpire's report, which hinted "they (Goldie) were able to row as they pleased," including finishing the race at a 25 rating. Note that the Umpire on this race was none other that Sir Matthew Pinsent... an honor of sorts to be politely snubbed by British Rowing royalty? Perhaps not. Goldie won by 4 lengths.
Dad Vail Men's Eight winners Brock University of Canada, sent here sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management (who also sponsor the Vails in Philadelphia, PA USA), made good on the sponsorship offer by winning their heat of the Temple Challenge Cup. The crew of Alexsia Dekaneas, Ben Cushnie, Brendan Coffey, Keegan Drummond, Thomas Morley, Josh Gracin, Travis King, Corey Brunton and Sylas Coletto were the first Canadian crew to win the Dad Vail regatta. This was a race where Grand Valley State University, also in the Temple this week, has done well historically, with the women winning the Eights in 2009.
The spectators got a good view (and really bright, they wore fluorescent pink unisuits) of Washington's opposition in the next round in another heat of the Temple today when Nihon University, Japan, a full 2 stone smaller average weight (or 28 pounds for the Yanks out there) than Oxford Brookes University, got off to a blistering start at a 42. They maintained a slightly higher rating than Oxford Brookes in the opening 3/4 miles, but settled in mid-race to win by 4 and 1/2 lengths, having reduced their rate to 32 at the enclosures. Note that the Washington crew is even larger in size than Oxford Brookes, and similarly were able to settle at the end of the race with a comfortable lead. It should be a great race with both crews rested.
In the race for the Prince Albert Challenge Cup between Harvard University and Isis Boat Club (Oxford), there was never a broad expanse of calm water between them. Although Harvard had a lead throughout, Isis put on a strong sprint at the end, pulling to within 2/3 of a length at the finish, after Harvard had been winning by about a length for most of the race; Harvard held on for the win.
"We had a good start," said coxswain Joseph Lin, a 2010 graduate of Harvard, "we were pressing to the barrier, once we were in control we backed off a bit," he adds. The athletes in this four graduated in 2010: from bow, Chris Fuller, Ivan Posavec, Duncan Gilchrist and Mark Fuller, and spent the spring racing in eights. More to come from Harvard in other Cups; with 28 folks on the trip of coaches and athletes, spectators will see the Crimson all over the Thames.
Just a short report...time for tea!
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