Dame Kelly Holmes at Henley Royal Regatta
Summing up this year’s Henley Royal Regatta, the event’s Chairman Mike Sweeney, said that 2010 had seen a fantastic level of entry for the Regatta and a great summer for rowing. He commented on the challenging conditions for the finals; after six months of a predominantly kinder following wind from the North, it had changed on Wednesday to the South West and a tough head wind, easing a little for the semi-finals on Saturday when the records broken were a testament to the quality of crews taking part.
The prizes were awarded to the winning crews by Dame Kelly Holmes who said this was the first rowing competition she had ever attended. “In my sport we’re not so used to tradition, but everyone looks stunning so don’t ever change! But some critical things are just the same, the passion, the pride and the physical ability of the athletes – and I also hated racing into the wind.”
With the Olympics in mind in 2012, Dame Kelly said “If we are able to put on events like this I know we will be able to stage the best Games in the world.” She thanked Sir Steve Redgrave for inviting her to take part and said she was delighted to hear that he was recovering from his recent accident. “This competition will go down in my books as one of my most memorable occasions.”
One of the great races of the day was saved for the very last when Nottingham & Union Rowing Club’s four, behind London Rowing Club until the Stewards’ Enclosure, raised their rate and stormed on to win the Wyfold trophy.
Full results and comment on the racing available from www.hrr.co.uk
