S4x pipped in final while boom thwarts Imperial 4+. Following months of preparation and promising wins in the weeks approaching racing, there was disappointment for Imperial at this year’s Henley Women’s Regatta. The 1555m long course is known for its narrow size, only just fitting two racing crews side-by-side. The lane is marked out by Henley’s traditional white booms that take no prisoners if struck, as was seen throughout the weekend of racing.
Imperial’s women had 5 boats entered in four events. Nicola Smith had just recovered from an injury and was a last minute entry into the senior single sculls (S1x) competing for The Bernard Churcher Trophy. Nicky won the opening round on Saturday defeating Thomas of the University of Bristol by 3 lengths in a time of 6:35. In the afternoon Nicky was unfortunate to come up against the eventual winner of the event: Thornley of Minerva Bath.
In the elite event, the lightweight quad (E4x) was competing for The Rankine Trophy. This crew was a composite of Claire Waterworth, Rachael Davies and Cynthia Mynhardt from Imperial and Katy Smith from Tideway Scullers. The crew raced in a straight final and were beaten by Mortlake Anglian and Alpha by 2 lengths in a time of 6:00.
Imperial’s top women were entered in the senior quad event (S4x) competing for the Chairman’s Trophy. The crew was composed of Jenny Forrester at stroke, Guen Bradbury at 3, Carlyn Greenhalgh at 2 and Erica Thompson at bow. Following recent success at the Met regatta the crew were expecting to do well. After coming through a time trial on Saturday morning they were on peak form beating Pengwern Boat Club ‘A’ easily in 5:33. That afternoon they were in action again defeating City of Oxford Rowing Club ‘A’ by 1 ¾ lengths in 5:30 taking the crew into the final on Sunday. They fought hard but were beaten by ½ length by University of London Women’s Boat Club. The post-race devastation of the crew was a testament to the commitment they have shown to training over the year and what they have come to expect of themselves.
In the intermediate events two coxed fours (I4+) were competing for The Lester Trophy. Both Imperial College ‘A’ and ‘B’ qualified in the time trials on Friday morning. The first races were held on Friday afternoon. The Imperial ‘A’ crew of Selina Graham at Stroke, Ro Smith at 3, Deborah Tamulonis at 2 and Clarice Chung at bow were coxed by Marianne Pascal Flynn. They came through the first round beating Trafford Rowing Club by 4 lengths in a time of 6:08. The next race was Saturday morning against Abingdon Rowing Club whom they easily defeated in 6:20. The winning streak continued that afternoon against Colaporter’s ARC giving the crew a place in the semi-final on Sunday. The race began well with Imperial leading from the start but the four became a victim of the booms when a gust of wind caught one of the oars blowing the crew to the side of the course. This allowed York City Rowing Club to row through to the finish line ahead of the Imperial crew.
Imperial College ‘B’ of Christina Duffy at stroke, Mackenzie Clavin at 3, Anna Jones at 2 and Deepika Reddy at bow began well winning over Exeter University Boat Club ‘A’ by 2 2/3 lengths on Friday afternoon. The luck soon ran out on Saturday morning when drawn against Edinburgh University and were beaten by 2 2/3 lengths. Edinburgh went on to win in the final against York City with Imperial College ‘B’ having the closest losing margin to the winners over the event.
The hard lessons of losing must suffice as a consolation prize for Imperial’s women’s squad, all of whom have now more hunger for silverware next year. New recruits are continually adding to Imperial’s talent pool and the progression and development of current members ensures improved performances next year.