Reviews
Harvard University, USA v Oxford Brookes University ‘A’
This was a textbook race from the Brookes boys. Harvard put out a punchy start and managed to stay level with the locals at the end of the Island, but by the barrier Oxford Brookes University found the quarter-length lead they needed to build doubt in their opposition and slowly edge out to command the remainder of the race. This margin grew to a length at Remenham, remaining largely unchanged until the Half-Mile mark while Brookes slowly cranked down the rate into the low thirties. Harvard did make a strong push for the finish, which any other crew would have responded to, but the brits stood steadfast, claiming the win by three-quarter-lengths in yet another international duel.
Oxford Brookes University ‘B’ v Princeton University ‘A’, USA
An unpredictable race that ended up a little underwhelming as Oxford Brookes University ‘B’ took a decisive win to see themselves into the Semi-Finals (where 50% of crews will be Brookes). Princeton were pacy out of the blocks, I’m sure panicking the locals in the process as both crews emerged from the cover of the island level. But Brookes were quick in establishing a lead, with both crews striking 36, the Tigers fell to a three-quarter-lengths disadvantage by the Barrier mark, increased to a full length by Fawley. Despite some improvement, Brookes worked through their finishing tiers and denied Princeton the win by a length, although I do believe this is a smaller margin than the victors would have liked.
Syracuse University, USA v A.S.R Nereus ‘A’, NED
The result of this race might have surprised some, as Nereus have winning experience in this event and Syracuse were the unknown entity going into it. To add to this, the Syracuse boat is a mixture of their 1V and 2V, a combination that was relatively new to them. Moments after the race began, it looked as if it would once again go in favour of the Dutch, and they maintained a half a length lead all the way to the barrier but all was not lost, and Syracuse made a decisive and confident move which ended up being the race decider. They pushed through their opposition and held them off as Nereus desperately tried to claw back their early lead. It wasn’t enough, and the Americans crossed over the line three and three-quarter lengths in front of their counterparts.
Previews
University of Washington, USA v Oxford Brookes University ‘A’
Some would argue this transatlantic matchup should be the final, quite literally the battle between the best both the UK and USA have to offer and based on the draw, I believe whoever wins this semi-final will go onto champion the Temple Challenge Cup. Washington overturned a strong Cornell University crew today with style, leading from the start, they took a somewhat easier win than Brookes’ duel with Harvard. It will be interesting to see how tired legs impact this race, but also the outcome, which will favour whichever crew wants it more in what i suggest will be one of the tightest races of the competition.
Oxford Brookes University ‘B v Syracuse University, USA
A potential evenly matched race, as neither crew is the full ‘A’ (or 1V) from their respective university or college. Subsequently, they both have everything to prove, and nothing to lose. Syracuse had a tougher race, with their Dutch competition taking it down to the wire, whereas Brookes ‘B’ reminded us all of exactly why they have the reputation it does as they decisively saw off the boat from Princeton. I think it is a safe bet to predict Brookes come away with the win, perhaps giving us a chance to see a Brookes v Brookes final on Sunday, only time will tell.
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