Brookes athletes crowned U23 World Champions
Five Brookes Athletes medal at U23 World Championships
In another exciting weekend of racing, five Brookes athletes represented Great Britain in the U23 World Championships held in Racice, Czech Republic.
After an exciting build up to finals day held this Sunday, our Brookes athletes looked to be in contention for fighting with the worlds best U23 crews for medals. After a strong performance in the Heats, the Women’s Four progressed straight to the A-Final. Daisy Bellamy and Lettie Cabot, made up half the quartet and after success at the World Cup III and the Final Open Trial earlier in the season, they were looking to make a fast start in their first International U23 appearance. After a close battle with an American crew the whole way to the finish line, the Women’s Four became World Champions in spectacular fashion. An inspirational performance by Daisy and Lettie, setting the standard for the rest of the women’s team back in Cholsey.
In the final of the Men’s Four, held just 10 minutes later, Matt Rowe and Henry Blois-Brooke with a last minute substitute on board put on a brave performance to come away with a well deserved Bronze Medal. After some initial disappointment, it was clear that the result was incredible in light of the situation and to put on such a performance in the Final against a talented field shows Matt and Henry’s class.
In one of the last races of the regatta, Scott Cockle was in the driving seat of the Men’s Eight. After coxing his Coxed Four to Silver in Sarasota, Florida two years ago he was aiming to steer his crew to one place better. After a phenomenally tight race with Germany and the USA, Great Britain edged ahead in the closing metres to be crowned World Champions. A hugely mature performance by the athletes in that crew, but no doubt kept cool under pressure by Scott in a very tense finale.
We look forward to welcoming back our athletes firstly to congratulate them in person, but then to see them all slip into projects going forward to the final part of the domestic season. All at Brookes are proud to be represented on the International stage by such talented and gracious athletes. Massive credit should be given to Matt, Henry, Lettie, Daisy and Scott for their perseverance through an incredibly tough season and deserve all the recognition they have received. Kudos should also go to Mikey Dalton, winner of the Temple Challenge Cup for Brookes in 2019, who stroked the Men’s Eight to victory.
In other news, it was also Henley Masters Regatta this weekend. Representing Taurus Boat Club, Dan Marret (Eight Henley Medals), Pete Lowe, James Brown (Four Henley, Two World Silver Medals) won the Masters C Coxless Fours. Great to see them still representing the alumni club with such happy faces! Congratulations to them!!