In 90+ temperatures, the Tufts University Women's Varsity Eight moved on to the semi-finals of the Senior Eight event at Henley Women's Regatta with a decisive 1+ 2/3 length victory over the University of Dublin in Saturday afternoon's quarterfinal round. The Jumbo's remain as the only American Crew standing in the event after Drexel University fell to Neptune Rowing Club on the opposite side of the draw.
Tufts drew out to an early 2 seat lead as the ladies from Dublin tried with all their might to dictate the course of the race by making it close in the first 500 meters. Beyond that point the Jumbos gathered themselves and pushed out to almost a full length at the halfway point, and drew steadily away in the last third of the race. Tufts Started the race at 47 stokes per minute, settled to 40, and eventually dropped the rating to 37 strokes per minute. The Jumbo's covered the course in 5:18, en route to their victory.
Tufts next faces University College Dublin in a 2:20 start time tomorrow. This will be the third meeting between the crews in eight days, with Tufts winning by open water on both prior occasions.
Tufts Varsity Four had a bit of a rougher time of it, losing to Curlew Rowing Club over the 1500 meter course. The Jumbo Four put in a valiant effort, down three seats early, they put a strong charge on in the second 500 meters, but it wasn't enough to overcome their opponents, who moved out to a length and 1/4 victory. Curlew was timed at 6:06, with the Jumbos 4 seconds off the pace.