Press Releases

Boat club pulls together for Henley Regatta success – University of Reading

Release Date : 06 July 2010

The University of Reading Boat Club's (RUBC) fantastic year continued with a superb team performance at the recent internationally renowned Henley Royal Regatta. RUBC's men and women did the Club proud by turning in some magnificent performances.

RUBC rowers, Sam Townsend, Bill Lucas and Charles Cousins, enjoyed a fabulous and deserved win forming part of the RUBC & Leander quad. This Great Britain crew were competing in the Queen Mother Challenge Cup, a race for international boats. On the way to their stunning victory they defeated quads from New Zealand and the USA, and had the honour of receiving their prizes from Dame Kelly Holmes.

John Preston, Dave Marshall and John Collins made it to the semi-final in the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup (for Intermediate quads), while former Club Captain Sam Waterson and rowing partner Bruce Simpson had an exciting and memorable regatta competing in the pairs event. The two did exceptionally well to qualify for the top 16 crews but found themselves drawn against the New Zealand pair and current world champions!

RUBC Director of Rowing Will Rand said: "The Henley Royal Regatta attracts the very best rowers from around the world and all our crews performed outstandingly. Sam, Bill and Charles were in exceptional form to record an impressive win, while the pair that competed lost against the best in the world and can only benefit from racing against a crew of that calibre."  

At the Henley Women's Regatta, held two weeks prior to the Royal Regatta, RUBC showed their class once again. With 18 ladies competing in six events, this was the biggest ever RUBC entry into the Women's Regatta.

All crews qualified well, but performance of the weekend was the effort of Club President Lottie Burgess and partner Emma Steel who won the Elite Lightweight doubles event. The duo excelled themselves, coming through three very tough races to take first prize. The Elite quad, which included RUBC captain Ally Brooks made it to the final and two other crews reached the semi-final stages.

Will Rand added: "The girls performed exceptionally well and did the Club proud. The results reflect the tremendous amount of hard work they've put in this season, and with all the girls remaining with us next year, I'm very excited about the future of our women's squad.

"Many thanks to everybody at the Club for such a successful fortnight. As ever, it's a real team effort and with the University's unwavering support we are continuing to produce rowers of the highest calibre."

In 2009, RUBC launched its 2012 fundraising campaign, in which they aim to raise £150,000 to purchase new equipment ahead of the London Olympics. Generous alumni of the University and sponsors have already donated over £65,000 in pledges, ensuring all boat club members have access to great facilities and are able to continue the momentum of their success at competitions such as the Henley Regatta.

There's not much respite for many at the club as those who are members of the Great Britain squad head off to Lucerne, Switzerland, to race in the third and final World Cup Regatta. A short break follows before more intense training in preparation for the Rowing World Championships in November.

For more information about RUBC, contact Will Rand, the Director of Rowing at the University of Reading on 07989 972 594 or email w.rand@reading.ac.uk

For more information about making a donation to the boat club's 2012 campaign, contact Becki Mckinlay, the Annual Giving Manager at the University of Reading, on 0118 378 5238 or email r.j.mckinlay@reading.ac.uk

 

 

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