Uni Boat Club enjoys most successful Royal Regatta in 20 years – University of Reading
13 July 2009
The University of Reading Boat Club's (RUBC) fantastic year continued with a superb squad performance at the recent internationally renowned Henley Royal Regatta. RUBC had nine boats racing during this prestigious annual sporting weekend, all doing the University proud.
For some RUBC members it was a double celebration as the Regatta coincided with the University of Reading's graduation ceremonies. Over 85% of the Boat Club's members who graduated this year earned a 2:1 degree, illustrating their commitment to rowing and their studies, as well the unwavering support offered by the University.
Reading graduate Alex Gregory was part of the crew that won the top coxless fours event beating a strong New Zealand boat. Tash Page, also a Reading alumna, was instrumental in the top women's eight boat event that defeated a leading crew from America's Yale University in the final.
Sam Townsend, Bill Lucas and Charles Cousins who graduated over the regatta weekend put in a fantastic performance in the Great Britain quad sculls. They defeated the USA in the semi-finals but narrowly lost to reigning Olympic Champions Poland in the final.
RUBC Director of Rowing Will Rand said: "It is amazing that the University of Reading can produce athletes that take on the top performers from leading rowing countries. It's a real testament to the facilities and backing that the University gives its students, who get the opportunity to become international sportsmen and women while earning an esteemed degree."
RUBC's top boat in the student coxed fours made the semi-final racing in font of huge crowds. They were only defeated by a final push from yet another Yale crew to lose by a boat length, a magnificent effort.
"I was really proud of the coxed 4's performance," continued Will Rand. "They have trained very well and this was their first defeat of the season. Three of the four are still students next year which shows the future of the club is extremely bright."
At the Henley Women's Regatta, held prior to the Royal Regatta, RUBC again put in an outstanding performance. The Senior Quad Scull raced brilliantly to beat crews including Cambridge University by a third of a length in the final, setting a record time in the process. The crew won in a new boat (costing £15,000) that the club recently purchased using generous donations from the RUBC alumni and the University.
After one more world cup regatta, RUBC's international stars head to Poland at the end of August for the World Rowing Championships. Sam Townsend, Bill Lucas and Charles Cousins will compete in the GB quad, Alex Gregory will be in the coxless four crew, Tash Page will race in the women's 8 and Anna Bebington will be competing in the double scull. In her first World Championships Rhiannon Jones, RUBC president 2007-09, will be coxing the GB adaptive coxed four. All the RUBC athletes have a fantastic chance of picking up medals.
For more information about RUBC, contact Will Rand, the Director of Rowing at the University of Reading on 07989 972 594 or email w.rand@reading.ac.uk
Ends
For all University of Reading media enquiries please contact James Barr, Press Officer tel 0118 378 7115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk