Texas rowing caps off season with journey to Henley Royal Regatta

Texas rowing caps off season with journey to Henley Royal Regatta

Texas rowing traveled throughout the pond to take part within the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England. The reigning Massive 12 Champions competed in a number of of the regatta’s problem cups, bringing recent competitors to the two-time NCAA Champions. 

First held in 1839, the Henley Royal Regatta is “essentially the most prestigious regatta on the earth,” in accordance with its web site. Races are held on the River Thames, one in every of London’s fundamental sights. 

“The Henley Royal Regatta is likely one of the most historic races within the sport of rowing,” graduate pupil Etta Carpender stated. “The importance is simply that it’s so previous and so iconic, and it’s simply such an honor to race in (the regatta).” 

After ending fourth within the NCAA season, Texas took two groups to 2 completely different ranges of the regatta. One group competed within the Remenham Problem Cup, the best division, and the second group competed within the Island Problem Cup, the second division. 

The Remenham Problem Cup featured elite competitors from a number of nationwide groups. Texas competed in opposition to “Leander Membership ‘A,’” Nice Britain’s Olympic hopeful boat that gained the World Rowing Cup III competitors one week after the regatta. The Longhorns fell to the Leander boat within the semifinals, trailing one and a half lengths behind.

“That is the most effective of the most effective on the world degree for senior groups,” senior Anna Jensen stated. “It was positively powerful competitors, and we had been one of many youthful groups there.” 

Whereas the competitors was powerful, the Longhorns entered the regatta to have enjoyable. After a less-than-ideal end on the NCAA nationwide championships, the occasion helped Texas face new competitors and revel in every week of rowing. 

As one of many largest sporting occasions in England, the regatta attracts many followers who line the whole course to see the motion. For athletes, the largest shock was the help Texas acquired throughout the Atlantic Ocean. 

“A whole lot of us had been saying that we felt like soccer and basketball gamers due to the way in which every little thing is about up and the hassle they put into rowing,” Carpender stated. “There was a crowd of individuals all alongside the 2K course, and everybody was tremendous excited to see Texas.” 

Below the NCAA rule permitting groups to compete in a single worldwide competitors each 4 years, head coach Dave O’Neil determined to hitch the Henley Royal Regatta for the primary time. The uncharted waters allowed athletes to realize a brand new perspective on rowing after falling wanting a 3rd straight nationwide championship. 

“It was actually cool to finish our season at Henley as a result of we didn’t finish our common season how we had hoped,” Jensen stated. “Having one other alternative to get again on the market and race some actually good competitors and do very well in opposition to them was nice for displaying what Texas is able to and proving to ourselves what we’re able to.”