History made as the Bridge Challenge Plate takes flight
Marlow RC write itself into the history books as the Bridge Challenge Plate makes its debut at Henley Royal Regatta
Credit:AllMarkOne
At 11:35, the women of Leander Club and Marlow RC made history as the first crews to race in the Bridge Challenge Plate. The event, for Intermediate Women’s Eights, mirrors the Ladies’ Challenge Plate which is one of the oldest trophies at the regatta having been raced for since 1845.
Marlow RC, a crew formed of some athletes studying in the United States who have returned to their home club, had a race to remember against the home favourites. By the Barrier, Marlow led by one length but were never able to break clear, with Leander fighting back right the way down the second half of the course. With 500m to go, there was just a third of a length separating the two boats but a final surge from Marlow RC led them to a historic victory.
Marlow RC Cox Isobel Massey was delighted with her crew’s performance. “I’m so happy. It’s amazing to be in the first race for the Bridge,” she said with a smile.
“Improving the gender parity is fantastic and it’s great to see the growth for girls as well. It was a close race and there was a little moment towards the end but I was always confident we could do it. It’s so great to set the standard so high with such a close race as really good.”
This inaugural showdown in the Bridge Challenge Plate would be followed by two more races with four high-calibre crews. Spectators were left in eager anticipation as racing in the Bridge would continue after the tea interval.
One of the joys of the Intermediate events is the wonderful kaleidoscope of composite crews that are brought together. Thames RC and Molesey BC teamed up to go against some of their teammates in the Thames RC and Henley RC crew. Charlotte O’Connell was the Henley RC representative but they came up against classy opposition who were untroubled from start to finish. Thames RC and Molesey led from start to finish and were able to soak up the applause as they came past the enclosures.
In the final race of the day, it was a brilliant win for Cambridge University BC. The Boat Race winners were drawn against Oxford Brookes University BC ‘B’ and their prowess shone from stroke one. The light blues did make one change to their starting line-up. Olympic Champion Imogen Grant was called up by her alma mater and joined the crew to race as the hallowed waters were baked in the golden sunlight. For Grant, this was her second race of the day having kicked off the morning’s racing with a comfortable win against Kateryna Maistrenko from Ukraine in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup. It was a great day to be a Cambridge fan as their men were also triumphant after beating Durham University BC in the Temple Challenge Cup.
