King’s Rowers Race Superbly at Prestigious Regattas

King’s rowers showcased their outstanding skills last weekend at not one but three prestigious regattas.

Despite soaring temperatures, the crews at Marlow, Stratford and Henley Women’s regattas raced superbly, demonstrating the exceptional progression they’ve made this season.

Henley Women’s Regatta

Saturday 21st June

The Senior Girls Coxed Four travelled to Henley on Thames to race for a place in the Henley Women’s Regatta.

The enjoyed a training session over the course on Friday evening having watched some incredible racing. A fresh start on Saturday morning for the qualification race and some respite from the high temperatures ensured they had a terrific time trial.

King’s rowers just missed out on a qualification spot by a handful of seconds but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Marlow Regatta

Saturday 21st June

Not far from the action in Henley, our Senior Boys were competing in the annual Marlow Regatta held at Dorney Lake, during the heatwave.

We had three quad sculls competing in the morning division, with our Fifth and Sixth Form Boys crews racing in a combined time trial.

The time trials results of the 64 entrants determined seeding into the finals. Our Upper Sixth Quad progressed to the C- Final where they had a tough and exciting race, moving through the eight-boat field as they gained pace. They finished in a solid fourth position and now set their sights on qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta.

The Fifth Form boys crew moved into the F-Final and had a great race to come third, this performance saw them ranked seventh of the J16 crews entered on the day.

Our newly formed Lower Sixth Quad progressed to the H-Final, where they raced well and finished in fourth place.

In the afternoon the First Eight had a chance to stretch their legs in an enormous field of eight oared craft; some 110 eights warming up on the lake at Dorney was a sight to behold, as we raced among school, university and club entrants.

Our eight, also preparing for Henley Royal Regatta qualification, powered down the time trial and moved to the M-Final, where they set up a great battle with an American crew and Kingston Grammar just at the front of the field. They rowed superbly well and finished in third place. Special mention must go to Harry W (U6) who raced in both the Upper Sixth Quad Scull and the First Eight over the day, racing eight kilometres in the stifling heat.

Stratford Junior Spring Regatta

Saturday 21st June

The Boat Club was in action in three events on Saturday with many involved in the Stratford Junior Sprint Regatta.

The event saw rowers from Year 9 to 12 on the River Avon battling competition from all around the region. It was fantastic to see so many of our young King’s rowers winning their first round and progressing to semi-finals and finals; a testament to their development over the first few months in the sport and indicative of their exciting future in the sport.

In the morning Henrietta H (Year 9) was victorious in her single scull event, while Perry A (Year 10) made the final, although he couldn’t quite maintain his form to hold off strong opposition.

The afternoon yielded exciting racing in the Year 9 Girls Double Sculls with all three crews progressing through to semi-finals. The combination of Hermione H and Evelyn R progressed to the finals and were victorious in their event.

The Year 10 Boys Quad Scull of Jinc L, Perry A, Hugo B, Patrick D and Alessio M were in a class of their own as they sculled through each round and to victory in the final of the J15 coxed quad scull event.