Women’s Henley report
Women’s Henley 2017 saw Brookes crews compete across six different events, and after Friday morning’s time trials and first round races in the afternoon, it was clear that it would be a strong Brookes showing with all six crews making it easily through to Saturdays quarter finals.
Brookes would go into the weekend in the following events – Elite LW2x, Academic 8+, Senior 4-, Senior 4x, Senior 2x and Academic 4+.
On the Saturday, the Senior 2x and Academic 4+ were unfortunately knocked out in tough races against strong opposition, but with four crews through to finals day it was the strongest showing of depth ever seen from the Brookes women.
The semi finals saw Brookes involved in some of the tightest racing seen at this regatta, but hard-fought racing ended with the 4- and 4x being knocked out at this stage, despite both crews breaking previous course records in their races.
Our Academic 8+ reached the final in comfortable style, dispatching their opponents by clear water again in record breaking time. Come the final the 8+, despite breaking the course record further – held for only a matter of hours – crossed the line a close second to rivals and eventual winners Newcastle.
The composite lightweight 2x of Imogen Mackie and Imogen Grant from CUWBC won their final with an easily verdict, in a time only 1 second off of the long-standing course record in this event. This made it Imogen Mackie’s 4th win in this regatta in as many years – an impressive unrivalled feat. This crew will now form part of the U23 LW4x working towards the World Championships in Plovdiv this summer.
Over the weekend, Brookes showed fantastic strength in depth with more crews racing on finals day than the majority of other clubs and universities – only a couple of seconds from multiple wins in a range of sweep and sculling events, showing exciting times ahead for the squad.
OBUBC women will now target Henley Royal Regatta as well as the European University Championships in Serbia, whilst a number are also working towards selection for U23 Great Britain crews this summer.
* Photo credit to Lewis Todd *