July 5, 2008

BOSTON - Boston University women's rowing raced Osiris Boat Club in the quarterfinals of the Remenham Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta on Friday, July 4. The Terriers fell to Osiris by one-half a length in the closest race of the day in the event.

"I can say with great pride and confidence that the BU varsity put everything they had in to the race today," said head coach Holly Hatton. "I had not witnessed an effort like this out of these athletes all spring. Although they did not win, as a coach, I could not have asked for more, they put their hearts and souls into this one."

Under sunny skies, it was a hard-fought battle from start to finish. Although the Terriers came up two seconds short, there was never more the six feet separating the crews through out the race. Off the start Osiris took a deck lead before BU drew even. At the mile mark BU nudged ahead by about three feet; Osiris countered, coming back to about a deck lead. At 1800m Osiris put on a push to lead by about 2/3 of a length. In the final 250m BU pulled back to within 1/3 of a length. It was a long race at 7:50 because of a strong head current and a steady cross-head breeze.

"At the finish line the crew was totally spent," continued Hatton. "They had to sit at the return dock for several minutes to regain enough energy to step out of the boat. It was a very emotional ending to a season fraught with up and downs, but I can safely say that this crew matured and improved tremendously over the three-week tour. Combined with the great racing at Henley Women's Regatta, the experienced gained by the six returning athletes should be a real bonus for next year's team."