Henley Royal Regatta is always targeted by DUBC being the final and most prestigious event of the season. The Women’s squad boasting an impressive season including winning the Women’s Victor Ludorum at both BUCS head and BUCS regatta entering two eights into the Island Challenge Cup. The Men’s squad also had an outstanding year a couple of highlights being the first 8 winning Gold and Bronze and BUCS head and BUCS regatta respectively. The men entered two eights into the Temple Challenge Cup.
Both the Men’s and Women’s first 8’s, the DUBC Temple ‘A’ crew and DUBC Island ‘A’ crew, were prequalified by the stewards after strong performances throughout the season. Both won medals in the championship eights category at BUCS regatta. This only leaving two crews to go to qualifiers, the Men’s second 8 and Women’s second 8, the DUBC Temple ‘B’ crew and the Island ‘B’ crew.
A headwind was blowing down the Henley stretch on the day of qualifiers, but this did not phase the DUBC crews. Island ‘B’ were up first, showing no signs of weakness they had a good row and qualified. This is the first time DUBC has ever qualified two women’s eights into Henley Royal Regatta, an amazing achievement for those athletes and the club. Temple ‘B’ also qualified after a strong row ploughing through the headwind, gaining a space in the regatta ahead of many crews they had not beaten all season.
Tuesday brought about the start of the Temple Challenge Cup, the DUBC Temple ‘B’ crew had a tough race to start the regatta having drawn Princeton ‘A’, USA. Princeton had a strong start and took a length by the barrier, but Temple ‘B’ did not take their foot off the gas and didn’t let Princeton get much further ahead for the rest of the race. Gaining a bit of ground through the enclosures Temple ‘B’ lost the race by a verdict of 1 length. An impressive performance.The DUBC Temple ‘A’ crew came across Oxford Brookes ‘D’ and showcasing their fast start took a length by the end of the island and two lengths by the barrier. Not being challenged in the second half of the race Temple ‘A’ could take the rate down and spare some energy. They beat Oxford Brookes ‘D’ by a verdict of 2/3 Length.
Wednesday saw the first races of the Island Challenge Cup. The DUBC Island ‘A’ crew were seeded and had a buy in the first round. The DUBC Island ‘B’ crew would come up against Nottingham University, a crew they had been only a couple of seconds slower than all season, but after the previous month’s training Island ‘B’ were confident they could beat them. Both crews got out to a good start but Island ‘B’ had the advantage of a canvas at the end of the island. Island ‘B’ maintained their lead of a canvas through to Fawley. Nottingham however provided a decisive push coming past Remenham club drawing level with Island ‘B’. Coming through the enclosures both crews upped their rate with the finish line beckoning, unfortunately Nottingham had a little bit more power to spare and pipped Island ‘B’ at the end. Nottingham beat Island ‘B’ by a verdict of 1/3 Length.The DUBC Temple ‘A’ crew came up against Princeton ‘B’, USA. Princeton despite being a ‘B’ crew has posted very quick times through their season boasting times much quicker than what Temple ‘A’ have produced this season. Nonetheless Temple ‘A’ replicated their lightning start from Tuesday and were level at the end of the island, by Fawley Temple ‘A’ established a lead of 3/4 Length. After continuous pushes by Princeton Temple ‘A’ proved too strong and increased their lead throughout the rest of the race. Temple ‘A’ beat Princeton ‘B’ by a verdict of 1¼ Length.
The Women’s 2nd 8 off the start against Nottingham
Thursday had the first race of the regatta for the DUBC Island ‘A’ crew and faced the Dutch crew of GSR Aegir, Netherlands. Island ‘A’ pushed hard off the start and gained a lead of half a length over Aegir by the barrier. Pushing on to Fawley they extended their lead to a length. Aegir then stuck with Island ‘A’ to the enclosures and with both crews sensing the finish they both increased their rates. The wind picked up in the latter stages of the race but with the experience of training on the Tyne Island ‘A’ maintained their length lead. Island ‘A’ beat Aegir by a verdict of 1 Length.
Friday. First to race was the DUBC Temple ‘A’ crew, they faced Oxford Brookes ‘B’. Both crews got off to a good start with Temple ‘A’ claiming a small advantage by the end of the island, however by the Fawley marker Brookes had come through lead by half a length. Brookes continued to increase their lead for the remainder of the race. Brookes beat Temple ‘A’ by a verdict of 1¼ Lengths. A great row from Temple ‘A’ and progressing further than last year’s Temple ‘A’ crew.
The DUBC Island ‘A’ crew came across their neighbouring main rivals Newcastle, a redo of last year’s Friday race. Each crew had beaten the other at some point in the season, it was also going to be a close race. Newcastle came off the start with an advantage of 1/3 length ahead of Island ‘A’ and by the Fawley had extended their lead to 2/3 length. This did not fluster Island ‘A’ as a decisive gear change just after Fawley saw Island ‘A’ drawback to be level with Newcastle and establish a lead of a couple of feet by the enclosures. Coming into the enclosures both crews increased their rate but Newcastle clawed back to retake the lead and win the race. Newcastle beat Island ‘A’ by a verdict of 3/4 Length.
Saturday. DUBC sadly had no crews left in the regatta but everyone was still looking forward to the Pimm’s and BBQ on the cricket pitch. This saw current squad members, coaches, alumni, friends and family all get together and celebrate the success of DUBC and have a jolly with each other. The annual gathering proved again very popular and everyone was in high spirits.
Henley was an awesome way to end such a successful season with everyone putting out performances to be proud of. We hope to build on this stellar year and continue these results next year and beyond.