June 30, 2008

Photo Gallery

BOSTON - Coming off a second-place finish at the Henley Women's Regatta, the Boston University women's varsity eight was named an initial qualifier to the Royal Henley Regatta, which begins on Wednesday, July 2.

Boston's varsity eight is one of 17 entries in The Remenham Challenge Cup, one of only three events open to women at the Royal and first awarded in 2000. As an initial qualifier based on its success at the Women's Henley, Boston University was exempted from the qualifying races, which reduce the field to eight. BU is the only US entry remaining in the event.

The crew has been training in England for three weeks, preparing for Royal Henley by racing at both the Reading Amateur Regatta and the Women's Henley.

Racing in the finals of the Elite Eight event at Women's Henley in a raging 25 mph headwind, the smaller Terriers fought valiantly but ultimately came second to Leander Composite, a crew of U23 National Team hopefuls from Great Britain. Boston University had earlier beaten its own second varsity eight and Furnivall Composite to reach the finals of the Sports Council Cup.

The Royal Henley Regatta was first held in 1839 and is considered to be the most prestigious regatta in the world. The regatta operates over a 2,112 meter course using a knock-out draw with only two boats racing side-by-side in each heat. The winner progresses to the next round until the ultimate champion is crowned.

Racing in the Remenham Challenge Cup begins Friday with the Terriers facing Osiris Boat Club in the quarterfinal round.

The Henley trip caps a competitive spring racing season for the Terriers who placed seventh overall out of 18 teams and advanced two of three varsity crews into the Grand Finals at the Eastern Sprints Championships in May.

Line-up

cox Taryn Goba, stroke Elene Brett-Evans, 7 Sally Machin, 6 Alaina Krumbach, 5 Veronika Karlsson, 4 Kaitlin Murphy, 3 Jeannette Daley, 2 Lee Persse, bow Lexie Somers