Reviews
Princeton University ‘A’, USA v. Oxford Brookes ‘B’
Richard Spratley’s dreams of an all-Oxford Brookes final lay tattered on the floor, as the Oxford Brookes ‘B’ were mauled by the Princeton tigers in today’s semi final. The second-ranked eight from Princeton University immediately got the upper hand on Oxford Brookes, sitting a quarter of a length up at the end of the island and breaking clear water by the barrier. They would extend that lead further and manage the race, eventually claiming the victory by two and quarter lengths, while the Brookes crew wasted efforts being warned by umpire Sarah Winkless about their steering. With just nineteen hours until the final race of the regatta, it is wise to limit their efforts rather than blowing out the competition to the level they may have been capable of but Princeton looked mightily impressive in the way they dominated the Brookes crew.
Oxford Brookes University A’ v. Harvard University, USA
The Harvard University lightweights announced their appearance on British soil with an impressive performance at Marlow Regatta, defeating all other Temple-eligible crews – including this offering from Oxford Brookes by most of a length. This led many, including this writer, to think that Harvard could seriously upset the applecart and to write Brookes off as potential winners. They didn’t get the memo. Off the start, Brookes dominated their overseas opponents taking a canvas by the end of the island and open water by the barrier. They dominated the race in what might have been beneficial conditions for the lightweight crews, ending all hopes of a first win at Henley for the Harvard lightweights since 1971.
Final Preview
Princeton University ‘A’, USA v. Oxford Brookes University ‘A’
Two of the biggest names in global university rowing, locking their horns down the fabled Henley stretch: Oxford Brookes and Princeton universities make up a hotly anticipated final in the premier event in global student rowing. The Princeton Tigers enter their second-ranked eight into this event, coming off an undefeated regular season and winning the Eastern Sprints. This week, they may have had the ‘easier’ draw (as much as four races at this regatta can be easy) but they were dominant in their wins over Newcastle as well as the ‘B’ crews from Brookes, Nereus and Durham. This title has been taken back to New Jersey twice before, they have demonstrated the speed all week that they can put the name Princeton on the cup for the third time. For Brookes, they go in search of their third win in as many years and tenth overall, and have had to run a gauntlet to get here. An opening round against the Bedford second eight may have been trivial, but their wins over the University of London, D.S.R Laga and the Harvard lightweights have required real speed and the margins and comfort with which they have risen to these occasions is mightily impressive. The program has the opportunity for a historic Sunday with crews in six finals, but I think the speed from Princeton may just be too much.
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