And just like that, Henley Royal Regatta 2022 has begun. There was no mistaking the familiar buzz walking through the boat tents, and spectators were out in full force to clap out crews as they begin the campaign. A strong headwind meant it was unlikely that any records would be broken.
Reviews
University of Bristol VS Durham University ‘A’
The Henley Royal Regatta 2022 was kicked off by a race between the University of Bristol, and the Durham University ‘A’ crew. Durham had taken a ¾ length lead by the end of the island and continued to extend this lead over the length of the course, finishing with a comfortable margin and maintaining strong technique despite the strong headwind. They also posted the fastest time of the day, completing the course in 6:54. This was no doubt thanks to their many sessions on the Tyne where cox Oscar Mulvin said the crew are used to sessions where they may spend up to 12k rowing into a straight headwind.
A special mention must go to the University of Bristol for putting up a good fight, rowing well in tough conditions, and making history as the first crew to be Tuesday’d.
Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ VS Durham University ‘B’
Brookes have come into this event as the crew to beat, given their continued dominance of the domestic rowing scene, and will be keen to reclaim the title that they have won five times since 2014. They kicked off their campaign in style, rowing confidently in rough conditions to win the first round with a 4-length margin while posting the fastest times of the day to the barrier and Fawley against a highly competent Durham crew.
U.S.R. Triton, NED VS Bucknell University, USA
Triton, beaten finalists in last year’s edition of the Temple Challenge Cup, announced themselves as serious contenders at the 2022 event by dismantling a spirited crew from Bucknell University, USA. A fairly level start might have surprised the Dutch, who are renowned for their explosive first 20 strokes, but Bucknell had run out of steam and ability to contest this heat by the Barrier. Triton continued to row away, winning comfortably and setting up a Wednesday contest with the University of London ‘B’. “We were a little in the dark as to how fast Bucknell would be,” explained Triton strokeman Pieter Van Veen. “Conditions are tricky so we just focused on executing well”.
Univ. of California, Berkeley, USA VS Univ. British Columbia, CAN
Well, no one saw that coming. The University of California, Berkeley have had one of those racing seasons that will go down in local legend; winners in Varsity Eights at the IRA National Championships and competitive across all major markers. They came into this heat as a selected crew, indicating good speed, but were no match for the Canadian outfit from the University of British Columbia. The latter, stroked by Clark Schultz, took the fight to the Golden Bears from the off, maintaining a lead all the way down the course.
Newcastle University ‘A’ vs Edinburgh University ‘A’
The race that seemed to dominate Bankside chatter throughout the day. Local rivals – or at least Northern powerhouses interlocked – clashing on Day One of Henley Royal Regatta always pricks the senses. Both crews were second-ranked boats in their boat clubs but produced a brilliant race which delivered in both spectacle and contest. Edinburgh ran out winners by just under a length, drawing away in the middle third to claim bragging rights. With a race against the University of British Columbia, Canada to come tomorrow, their elation may not last long but it’s a sweet victory to enjoy into the evening.
Previews
Durham ‘A’ VS Nereus
Durham has reinstated itself as a force in British rowing after the past season under new coach Rob Dauncey. They go into this race in a good position, having posted the fastest time in their race against the University of Bristol this morning, and demonstrated ease at dealing with whatever conditions may be thrown at them. Meanwhile, Nereus will be looking to topple the domestic competition, and whilst not many results on this crew are available, as last year’s winners and one of the top student rowing clubs in the Netherlands, there is no doubt that this crew will be fast.
Imperial College London VS Oxford Brookes University ‘B’
This race looks set to be a close one with both crews posting similar times to the Barrier and Fawley markers in their respective races today. Given the standard of rowing at Brookes, it would be foolish to assume that their B crew would not be strong, and Imperial will no doubt be going over their race plans to put themselves in the best position for tomorrow.
At Marlow Regatta, the Oxford Brookes B crew had the upper hand placing fourth in the A final, while Imperial College was in the C Final. The question remains as to whether Imperial will be able to turn this result around after making some crew changes.
Yale University ‘A’, USA VS University of Washington, USA
The Huskies took this title back in 2018 in record time, and this trip looks to be no different in terms of force and strength. Whilst this is not their first eight, the second and third varsity eights took silver and bronze respectively at the IRA championships. Yale has two crews qualified in this event, showing just why they are one of the powerhouses of US rowing. Something to note is that this crew was the lightweight crew of the year across the pond, so it will be interesting how they face up against the heavier crew of Washington University, particularly if today’s headwind persists. This American match-up will be incredibly exciting to watch, with both crews posting near-identical times along the course, both finishing in 6:58. Neither will want to return to the USA having been beaten by a home rival.
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