Cambridge University Boat Club shows its quality among leading American programmes
There was much to celebrate for Cambridge University Boat Club at the Head of the Charles Regatta.
The club returned from what is one of the premier events on the global rowing calendar in Boston, Massachusetts, with four gold medals alongside a whole host of other impressive results.
The stand-out victory was provided by the A crew in the Men’s Championship Eight.
Not only did they get the better of hometown favourites Harvard, they also saw off other top American Division 1 programmes in Dartmouth, Washington, Syracuse, Princeton and Yale – as well as Oxford – on their way to a first win for the club in the race for 20 years.
Triumphant cox Ollie Boyne said: “Our crew had an incredibly successful week. We were fortunate to arrive in Boston six days before our race and so had many opportunities to settle in and get used to the race course.
“Each session saw an improvement in our rowing quality and speed, and we were excited to show the top US crews what we could deliver.
“With five of the boat racing the Charles for the first time, and four returning to the river, the victory brought a combination of accomplishment, righting past wrongs and excitement for what this squad is capable of this year.
“We’re in no doubt that there is much still to do between now and the 13 April next year (for the Boat Race), so we’re back to work this week.”
Meanwhile, last year’s women’s president Jenna Armstrong and Carina Graf raced in the Masters (30+) 2x category, coming from bow 17 to take the victory.
Traditionally sweep rowers, Graf and Armstrong switched to sculling when the pairs category was not included in the meeting.
And despite only having two months learning how to scull, they negotiated the challenges that the race provides to come out on top.
Ollie Parish, Rob Harris, Tom Lynch, Seb Benzecry and Ed Bracey (cox) combined to put in a dominant performance in the Men’s Alumni Fours to see them finish 21 seconds ahead of the second-placed crew, while there was an even bigger margin of victory for the Cambridge boat in the Men’s Senior Master Fours.
Sean Gorvy, who was part of the crew that won by 24 seconds, said: “Having first rowed together 39 years ago it was a sweet moment to defend our title.”
The club also collected a silver medal in the Men’s Senior Master Doubles, while there was a highly respectable seventh place finish for the A crew in the Women’s Championship Eights.
The Cambridge crew crossed the line ahead a number of top American boats and also stopped the clock 30 seconds ahead of their Oxford counterparts.
Crew member Gemma King said: “This is the first time Cambridge women sent student eights to the race in recent history and it was a very exciting opportunity to race against several top international crews.
“After taking an excellent line down the course and ending the race with a strong build into the finish, the crew finished in seventh place. Whilst highlighting key areas to work on over the upcoming months, this was a very exciting start to the season.”
Imogen Grant, who recently won gold at the Olympic Games in Paris, finished 11th in the Women’s Championship Singles and fifth as part of the Skibbereen Rowing Club in the Women’s Championship Eights.
