Upper Thames Rowing Club suffered cup final heartbreak in the Princess Grace, losing easily to a composite crew of Wallingford RC and Reading University.
It's a bitter pill to swallow after an impressive run which saw them reach their very first final at Henley. It is a tremendous achievement, and one - as the reaction of the crowd testifies - they should be very proud and happy with.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
It's what we've been waiting for
Finals Day is here on this wet and dreary Sunday morning. I must admit, as I sit here with a cup of tea and Sunday's newspapers, I'm more worried about how I'm going to keep out of the rain rather than the festivities that will take place in the next couple of hours.
Whatever happens there is an exciting day in the offing with local crew Upper Thames RC in with a chance of silverware after they qualified for their first ever Henley final in the Princess Grace and there are six Leander Club crews who are all desperate to be crowned champions as well.
I have to be at Regatta Radio (thankfully not on the radio) in a couple of minutes so this is where I will have to end - more updates to come throughout the day.
Whatever happens there is an exciting day in the offing with local crew Upper Thames RC in with a chance of silverware after they qualified for their first ever Henley final in the Princess Grace and there are six Leander Club crews who are all desperate to be crowned champions as well.
I have to be at Regatta Radio (thankfully not on the radio) in a couple of minutes so this is where I will have to end - more updates to come throughout the day.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
A lucky escape
Iron-willed Nathaniel Reilly-O'Donnell booked a place in today's Diamond Challenge Cup semi-final despite suffering s second car crash in ten days yesterday morning.
The 20-year-old former junior champion cruised to victory over Adam Freeman-Pask in the quarter-final by two lengths after overcoming the selected Patrick O'Hea on Thursday.
In a bizarre turn of fortunes the Durham-born rower was involved in a mini-bus crash yesterday morning and managed to plough his bike into a bus ten days earlier, but despite it all, he still remains on course for back-to-back wins in the competition.
Do you think that maybe he could be destined to win the competition?
++++
I know this isn't particularly a local story but I was impressed.
The 20-year-old former junior champion cruised to victory over Adam Freeman-Pask in the quarter-final by two lengths after overcoming the selected Patrick O'Hea on Thursday.
In a bizarre turn of fortunes the Durham-born rower was involved in a mini-bus crash yesterday morning and managed to plough his bike into a bus ten days earlier, but despite it all, he still remains on course for back-to-back wins in the competition.
Do you think that maybe he could be destined to win the competition?
++++
I know this isn't particularly a local story but I was impressed.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Attendance down?
Far be it for me to speculate - though I do it with aplomb - but are there fewer people at the Royal Regatta this year?
Enjoying the convivial atmosphere in and around the Barn Bar yesterday, it struck me that the place looked empty. There were people there, of course, but no queues for drinks, no bottle-necks on the towpath, no snaking lines of increasingly agitated revellers waiting for the toilets.
It was only Thursday, but the sun was out and the conditions perfect.
The same applies for the evening. No queues, quiet pubs, empty streets.
Has the Regatta fallen victim to the oft-blamed credit crunch? Or have people simply chosen to stay away?
Enjoying the convivial atmosphere in and around the Barn Bar yesterday, it struck me that the place looked empty. There were people there, of course, but no queues for drinks, no bottle-necks on the towpath, no snaking lines of increasingly agitated revellers waiting for the toilets.
It was only Thursday, but the sun was out and the conditions perfect.
The same applies for the evening. No queues, quiet pubs, empty streets.
Has the Regatta fallen victim to the oft-blamed credit crunch? Or have people simply chosen to stay away?
Shock disqualification
Well Friday got started with a bang as Leander Club 'B' were disqualified from their 9am race against Martyrs Boat Club and Christ Church, Oxford for moving into the middle and leaving their opponents nowhere to go but into the boom.
A real shame for the Leander crew who must have been favoured to take the race.
A real shame for the Leander crew who must have been favoured to take the race.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Just don't fall in
We've all done it. You're in a public place, perhaps with an elaborate beverage in hand, strolling through the crowds, basking in the sun. But then one slippery patch of grass later and you're spread-eagled on the floor liberally doused with your own gin and tonic. All to the sound of the surrounding crowds' "WAAHHHEEEEYYY!!!"
Nobody likes falling over publically, so a special mention today must go to the lady stood in her boat on the opposite side of the Thames to the Regatta crowd. Not once, not twice, but on four separate occasions she slipped enough to look like she was going to go tumbling into the drink. The crowd couldn't get enough of it, to the point of cheering at each near-stumble.
You will be happy to hear that in a remarkable display of grit, the lady retained her dignity and didn't take a tumble into the Thames. Her exit led to a round of applause from the crowd, each person with a look in their eye that says "Thank god it wasn't me. I probably would've fallen in....I really hope I don't fall in."
Nobody likes falling over publically, so a special mention today must go to the lady stood in her boat on the opposite side of the Thames to the Regatta crowd. Not once, not twice, but on four separate occasions she slipped enough to look like she was going to go tumbling into the drink. The crowd couldn't get enough of it, to the point of cheering at each near-stumble.
You will be happy to hear that in a remarkable display of grit, the lady retained her dignity and didn't take a tumble into the Thames. Her exit led to a round of applause from the crowd, each person with a look in their eye that says "Thank god it wasn't me. I probably would've fallen in....I really hope I don't fall in."
Music to watch boats by
You might expect the oohs and aahs of a crowd would sustain the Regatta's atmosphere, but this has been taken a step further by the organisers.
As races take place classical music is piped into the crowd, building to a crescendo in time with the finish line climax. As if a race itself wasn't dramatic enough.
It works brilliantly, giving every race that 'BBC montage' vibe that we all love.
Don't be surprised if some 'M-People' assaults the ears soon.
As races take place classical music is piped into the crowd, building to a crescendo in time with the finish line climax. As if a race itself wasn't dramatic enough.
It works brilliantly, giving every race that 'BBC montage' vibe that we all love.
Don't be surprised if some 'M-People' assaults the ears soon.
A class presentation
Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association, will make the presentations at the end of the Royal Regatta on Sunday.
Mr. Moynihan coxed the GB men’s eight crew to silver in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and earned another silver with the crew in the World Championships the following year.
He was elected as a Conservative MP for Lewisham East in 1983 and was the Minister for Sport in Margaret Thatcher’s government.
Mr. Moynihan coxed the GB men’s eight crew to silver in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and earned another silver with the crew in the World Championships the following year.
He was elected as a Conservative MP for Lewisham East in 1983 and was the Minister for Sport in Margaret Thatcher’s government.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Achtung! Don't mention the, er, rower?
Scandal hit the Regatta when German crew Crefelder Ruderclub were disqualified for fielding an ineligible competitor against the City of Oxford.
The German eight beat their English counterparts by two-and-a-half lengths but were thrown out after it was unveiled their crew possessed a World under-23 Championship medal winner.
The German eight beat their English counterparts by two-and-a-half lengths but were thrown out after it was unveiled their crew possessed a World under-23 Championship medal winner.
Rain..
...has stopped, briefly! Although Met Office reports suggest visitors would be wise to pick up a brolly throughout the next five days.
Though why anyone is surprised that a British summer event is threatened with bad weather is beyond me - haven't we learned anything?
Some sunny spells are predicted, though, and the weatherman doesn't always get it right - yes, you Mr. Fish - so who knows?
As ever, people will battle on regardless. Stiff upper lip and all that.
Though why anyone is surprised that a British summer event is threatened with bad weather is beyond me - haven't we learned anything?
Some sunny spells are predicted, though, and the weatherman doesn't always get it right - yes, you Mr. Fish - so who knows?
As ever, people will battle on regardless. Stiff upper lip and all that.
Local crews crash out
Crews from in and around Henley have suffered mixed fortunes at Luncheon on the first morning of racing.
In a surprise result, Henley Rowing Club 'B', who had to go through last Friday's qualifying rounds, defeated the Tideway Scullers' School in the Britannia Cup - winning by half a length.
Unfortunately Henley club could not make it a brace after they were resoundly beaten by Ireland's Cork Boat Club in the Wyfold Cup by one length.
Shiplake College fared little better in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup losing out to R.G.S. Worcester and Alice Ottley School by one length.
All action and reaction will be in this week's Henley Standard.
In a surprise result, Henley Rowing Club 'B', who had to go through last Friday's qualifying rounds, defeated the Tideway Scullers' School in the Britannia Cup - winning by half a length.
Unfortunately Henley club could not make it a brace after they were resoundly beaten by Ireland's Cork Boat Club in the Wyfold Cup by one length.
Shiplake College fared little better in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup losing out to R.G.S. Worcester and Alice Ottley School by one length.
All action and reaction will be in this week's Henley Standard.
Face to Face
Here it is. Proof that Henley Royal Regatta has it all. For those people who enjoy being genuinely terrified at otherwise family events, look no further than this image. This 'expressionless' pair were spotted on the river earlier today. It would appear that this is an artistic statement. Either that or they have chosen the slowest possible getaway vehicle.Anyway, I'm not going to ask them...I'm petrified.
Hairy Bikers
May I beg your indulgence for the nauseating fan-babble that is about to follow?
I love the Hairy Bikers. I don't know why - perhaps it is the northern pair's complete lack of pretension in an industry consumed by snobbery. British cuisine still lags behind the rest of the world because good food continues to be the preserve of the wealthy elite, an increasingly expensive way of proving your social status.
But I have followed Simon King and Dave Myer's show from day one. Two food fanatics devouring world cuisine, with minds open to the joys which lay outside our borders. And they are marvellous value on screen, a huge breath of fresh air for television cookery.
I've just met them at the Regatta. Resplendent in blazers and boaters, they are filming a cooking sketch all day today at the Barn Bar.
And they were charming. They posed happily for a photo and were pleased to chat, completely indistinguishable from their screen personas. How often can that be said?
As a way to kick off the Royal Regatta, this is going to take some beating.
I love the Hairy Bikers. I don't know why - perhaps it is the northern pair's complete lack of pretension in an industry consumed by snobbery. British cuisine still lags behind the rest of the world because good food continues to be the preserve of the wealthy elite, an increasingly expensive way of proving your social status.
But I have followed Simon King and Dave Myer's show from day one. Two food fanatics devouring world cuisine, with minds open to the joys which lay outside our borders. And they are marvellous value on screen, a huge breath of fresh air for television cookery.
I've just met them at the Regatta. Resplendent in blazers and boaters, they are filming a cooking sketch all day today at the Barn Bar.
And they were charming. They posed happily for a photo and were pleased to chat, completely indistinguishable from their screen personas. How often can that be said?
As a way to kick off the Royal Regatta, this is going to take some beating.
A quiet start
The first morning of this year's HRR gets off to a sleepy start, as the early races are appreciated only by empty stands - gloomy skies and an uncertain weather forecast may have played their part. Around 11am the first stripey jackets and boaters start coming into view though...
Here's to the next five days!
So here it is - the world's most famous regatta.
An estimated 500,000 people are set to descend on Henley for one of the leading events in the English social calender.
Top class rowing and first-rate hospitality sit comfortably alongside the bars and areas for those who just want to enjoy being part of the atmosphere.
And the Henley Standard, now au fait with the world of blogging, will keep you up-to-date with all that happens, from rowing results to fashion, and anything interesting which happens along the way.
Be sure to log on throughout the event for the most comprehensive regatta coverage you will find!
An estimated 500,000 people are set to descend on Henley for one of the leading events in the English social calender.
Top class rowing and first-rate hospitality sit comfortably alongside the bars and areas for those who just want to enjoy being part of the atmosphere.
And the Henley Standard, now au fait with the world of blogging, will keep you up-to-date with all that happens, from rowing results to fashion, and anything interesting which happens along the way.
Be sure to log on throughout the event for the most comprehensive regatta coverage you will find!
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