Henley Rowing Club

Founded 1839

Back to Regatta Index

Last weekend was the Inter regional regatta held over 1500 metres at the National Water sports centre Nottingham. The Henley Rowing club crews had qualified to represent the region by winning trials held three weeks ago at which over 100 crews from the Thames Upriver region had entered. 12 regions compete at the regatta. The fastest six crews from the preliminary rounds proceed to the final, so whilst a crew may win its heat it may not make the final if there are six faster crews from the other heat. 

Jenny Arnold won the Gold medal at WJ16 but after finishing third in her first heat was not sure of a place in the final until the other heats had been completed. In the end it turned out that Jenny's heat was the fastest and that five girls from her heat would proceed to the final. The first 500 metres was close between all, crews but by 750 metres the race had developed into a fight between Jenny and the representative from Wales & West Country with 250 metres to go Jenny led by half a length but this was being reduced all the time by the Welsh girl who closed to within 0.3secs at the finish. The boys quad of Tom Pocock, Chris Clark, Drew Ford and Peter Wagner, won the silver medal in boys J16 quads. This was another exiting final with only two seconds separating the first four boats. The Bronze medal came from the girls J16 coxless four of Orla Millar, Raffie Varley, Hanna Blair and Natasha Richardson. Hannah and Natasha where also most probably the unluckiest crew at the regatta in the WJ16 2- event. In a superb Final race the girls pulled from fifth place to be in second place at the 250 mark with less than 150 meters to go the girls had pulled into first place and looked to be on for the Gold medal With 50meters to go disaster struck when one of the girls blades caught a lane buoy and capsized the boat. The girls have claimed the buoy as a trophy. If the performances from the last few weeks of racing can be maintained then Henley Rowing Clubs Junior squad look to be on for a very successful regatta season.

Back to Regatta Index