Rowing: Nottingham early to rise
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It did not take long for the Henley Royal Regatta to burst into life on its opening day yesterday. The first race at 8.30am produced a thriller between Bedford and Nottingham, with Nottingham taking the narrowest verdict of the day crossing the line just two feet ahead of their provincial rivals.
The gusting headwind which persisted throughout the programme made the race times slow and led to some erratic steering, with several crews hitting the side booms before they were able to hit a racing stride.
Peter Haining, the three-times world champion in the lightweight singles scull, had been determined to race at Henley despite his poor early season, and was the most distinguished competitor not to be given a bye through the first day. He was drawn against Derek Atkins, of Nottingham & Union, who has been sculling for less than a year. At the quarter-mile the scullers were level and by the barrier Haining had gained only three feet before he asserted his skills and drew away to win with ease. "It was my first side-by-side race and I did not have the experience to cope," Atkins said. "It was a marvellous chance to learn and I enjoyed it."
West Point, the US military academy, arrived unscathed from infantry training at various points around the globe for their first visit to Henley, and felt "just privileged to be here". But less than half a mile into their first race in the Britannia Cup for coxed fours, the gate which holds the blade into the oarlock flew open and the No 3 man, Raymond Butts, found himself without the only acceptable means of propulsion. The crew stopped and replaced the missing blade, but by then their opponents, Imperial College, were well clear.
Another American crew, St Andrew's School, Delaware, had travelled to within 100 yards of the finish of their heat of the Princess Elizabeth Cup when the stroke, Simon Saddleton, caught a crab which led quickly to another, and within seconds the crew had slewed across the course and into the wooden booms at the side, allowing Canford School to row through to win comfortably.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments