I haven’t forgotten! I was just waiting for some elements to come together before commencing the Henley posts. We’re starting with the women for the mere fact of the matter that HWR was first. It’s been a big season for the ladies and Henley Women’s and Henley Royal Regatta (!) were the pinnacle of a long build and some big achievements for the women’s squad under the leadership of Anita.
Off the back of a fantastic result at WeHoRR to name just one, a year to the day (give or take) since the first grasp at normality at the 2021 competition, we were able to present not only our same women from then, but five more joining them. And what a crew! T
ake it from someone who knows them they are dedicated, technically proficient and STRONG. And they gave it their all in the run up to the Henley season. I could gush more, but here’s Coach Joe [editor: who *sniff* is abandoning us for his family soon but more on that in due course] on the Curlew women’s campaign:‘
One of the most competitive women’s crews to come out of the Albert docks competed in the Copas cup (women’s 8+) at Women’s Henley. Their time trial was impressive, resulting in a seeding and what seemed, on paper, an easy route into the last eight. Unfortunately races aren’t rowed on paper and the opposition hadn’t read the script. In the fastest and most exciting race of the day,
Curlew were pipped at the post and edged out of the regatta. We learned a couple of things over the weekend. We’re quick, we finished sixth in the time trial, but we lack experience in head to head racing. We’ll only go faster and we’ll have another year under our belts next time round.
’Typically frank from Joe but be assured he doesn’t praise lightly and we agree with him this crew is special. While HWR didn’t quite go to plan, the quality and potential you represent shone through and we see you. Congrats to Issy, Kat, Allie, Brodie and Molly who earned their blazers at HWR.
Finally these women made club history by being the first women’s crew we have ever sent to Henley Royal qualifiers. They had a fantastic row on the day but it was an extremely tough competition for a handful of spots alas. Next year instead 