The Morning Session
Conditions: sunshine, crosswind
Palatinate purple powers through
Race 19: The Temple Challenge Cup, Yale University, USA v Durham University
Yale University, USA, and Durham University did not disappoint in one of the most highly-anticipated races of the morning. In their respective Wednesday heats for The Temple Challenge Cup, they had the same Barrier and Fawley times, with Durham across the line ½ a length and one second ahead of Yale's race. The crews must have been aware of the fight on their hands, and both went off at a blistering pace, Durham at 44 and Yale at 48. Dogged at that lower rate, Durham led from the start, inching out ahead of their American competition, with just a foot over Yale at the ¼ mile, ¼ length at the Barrier, and ½ a length by Fawley. Yale clawed back ¼ length at the ¾ mile to no avail, as Durham pushed off this challenge, eventually winning by ¾ lengths.
Near-Miss for Nautilus
Race 25: The Visitors’ Challenge Cup, Martyrs Boat Club & Tideway Scullers School v Nautilus Rowing Club 'C'
In the final heat of The Visitors’ Challenge Cup, Nautilus Rowing Club ‘C’, crewed by GB Rowing Team U23 athletes, came through a stern examination to edge a composite crew of Martyrs Boat Club & Tideway Scullers School. The composite of St Edward’s School Alumni held a narrow canvas advantage after the Island, which they maintained approaching the Mile, where the crews became level. Having chipped away at the lead, Nautilus nosed ahead by just two feet at the Mile and 1/8. A decisive push through the Enclosures proved enough to settle the race, despite both crews receiving steering warnings as they battled for the racing line, with Nautilus holding on to the finish with a ½ length victory.
THE BRIDGE BEGINS
Race 40: The Bridge Challenge Plate, Oxford Brookes University & Taurus v Leander & Imperial College London
The penultimate race before lunch saw two British rowing heavyweights collide in The Bridge Challenge Plate, as Oxford Brookes University & Taurus faced Leander Club & Imperial College London. Oxford Brookes & Taurus combination set off at an aggressive 46 strokes per minute to establish a ¾ length lead, extending it to 1 ¾ lengths at the Barrier and 2 ½ lengths at Fawley before winning by 1 ½ lengths. Made up of American athletes with a variety of U19 and U23 vests, the crew will next face Nautilus Rowing Club & Cambridge University (a crew of GB U23 athletes) in what promises to be a classic transatlantic tussle.
The Afternoon Session
Conditions: Sunny, Strong Tailwind
Progress Board Power
Race 47: The Temple Challenge Cup, 130 D.S.R.V. Laga 'A', the Netherlands v 200 Wesleyan University, USA
It doesn’t matter how many strokes you lead for - the only one that matters is the final one. Wesleyan University, USA, in this race of The Temple Challenge Cup against D.S.R.V Laga ‘A’, passed the Island sustaining an aggressive 48 strokes a minute. D.S.R.V Laga ‘A’ left Wesleyan University a canvas behind at The Barrier, and continued ahead, opening a ½ length lead by the Mile and ⅛. The Dutch were not deterred by the chase, maintaining contact with their opposition. At the Hole in the Wall, fortunes reversed, and in a rush to the line, the crews quickly drew level. Wesleyan ran out of water and D.S.R.V Laga ‘A’ crossed the line a canvas length ahead of the Americans in 6 minutes and 14 seconds.
‘B’ for Belief
Race 50: The Fawley Challenge Cup, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School 'B', USA v Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, 'A', USA
One of Thursday’s four club v club matchups produced a standout showdown as Belen Jesuit’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ boats went head-to-head. After a week of several crew shuffles and battle paddles, the ‘B’ crew had reportedly won most of their matchups, making them far less of an underdog than their designation suggests. They proved it on the water, leading by ½ length at the end of the Island and ¾ of a length through the Mile. Only beyond the Mile ⅛ did the ‘A’ crew finally find another gear, edging out to a canvas lead, before pulling clear to win by 1 ¾ lengths.
Light Blues Lead
Race 52: The Island Challenge Cup, Yale University 'A', USA v Cambridge University 'B'
Cambridge University defied the expected pecking order to beat Yale University in a sensational heat of The Island Challenge Cup. The Bulldogs' confidence was short-lived; they led off the end of the Island but from then on, everyone was sat on the edge of their seat as the Cambridge women crept back up. The Mile is where the crews drew level. By the Enclosures, there was nothing the Yale women could do as the sensational Light Blues shifted gears and realised a well-rehearsed strategy. Roars were heard from the Enclosures, and Cambridge sounded the buzzer first, a ½ length ahead of Yale University in a time of 7 minutes.
