St Andrews make history in Henley Royal Regatta Semi-Finals!
Last week, we made Club history at Henley Royal Regatta. Out of 49 entries, our Senior Men’s coxed four (Campbell Nelson, Oscar Nick, Henry Marles, Chris Bock and Holly Bartlett), finished in the top four crews of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup. The boys rowed an outstanding race in the semi-finals against Durham University Boat Club, after beating Imperial College London and Exeter University in the heats and quarter-finals.
Not only did we make Club history, but we were the first British, non-funded rowing programme to reach this stage of Henley Royal Regatta in recent history, and the last remaining Scottish crew to compete in the Prince Albert event this year. On the Friday, our Club Captain, John Browne, who founded the Club in 1962, was present with his wife Christine, to watch the crew win against Exeter University and to congratulate them.
The Club was so proud to represent the University of St Andrews, Scottish Rowing and Saints Sport for the first time ever at the weekend of Henley Royal Regatta, in front of 300,000 people. To finish in the top four of such a competitive and reputable event, including crews from the USA, Canada, Australia, China and Holland, is an absolute testament to the hard work that has gone into the Club for many years, particularly given the magnitude of support behind some of the other entries.
On the Saturday, we held our annual BBQ hosted by our alumni and supporters club, Eden Boat Club. Recent graduates, as well as UStABC alumni from the 1990s, were present to support our crew. At the BBQ, our previous Club President, Matt Taylor, was awarded the inaugural Guardbridge Cup for his outstanding dedication to the Club over the past four years. This award is not presented annually, but only when the Eden BC feels there is a worthy candidate.
Our major match donation campaign, Project24, draws to a close on Monday 15th July. Don’t miss your chance to play a part in our success. We are so grateful to all of our supporters, and would like to extend a special thank you to the donors of Meridian, a top-quality Hudson boat in which the boys competed at Henley Royal Regatta. If you would like to become involved, click here to donate!
