Both CUBC entries in the Open Finals suffered defeats in their respective races, although both provided nothing less than their best performances on the day.
Princess Royal Challenge Cup
Having qualified through against a series of heavyweight opponents, Imogen Grant was never likely to be over-awed by double Olympian Kara Kohler, and started as she sought to carry on, leading the American to the end of the Island. Kohler withstood the assault and took a 1/2 length at the Barrier, moving out to just over a length at Fawley as Grant continued to under-rate her heavyweight opponent. Through the enclosures and past the Progress Boards, Kohler took advantage of the Henley travelator on the Berks station and ran out a 2 length victory.
Watch the tussle HERE
Silver Goblets and Nickalls Challenge Cup
Perhaps spurred by their start in the semi finals against Bugajski and Glenister, Tom George and Ollie Wynne Griffith took the race by the scruff of the neck in their race against Mackintosh and Macdonald of New Zealand, leading by upwards of a length at the Barrier. They continued to add to that lead until the New Zealanders staged a startling comeback to draw level at the Mile. The higher rating New Zealanders managed to keep pushing through the enclosures, and ran out winners by just under a length. The crews will meet again at this weekend’s World Rowing Cup 3 in Lucerne where they and coach Rob Baker will seek to exact revenge.
Race video HERE
Alumni and family
It would be remiss to not note a number of performances from alumni and family at Henley
- Henry Fieldman coxing the winning Grand Challenge 8+
- Freddie Davidson coming within a foot of winning the Stewards Challenge Cup against the top-ranked Australian boat
- Max Gillard, son of David Gillard, winning the Britannia Challenge Cup 30 years to the day after his father won the same event.
- Donald Legget taking another win with St. Paul’s in the PE, CUBC and St. Paul’s eminence grise striking again!