Campus & Community

Crew captures Ladies Plate

2 min read

Affiliates, current team members well represented at prestigious Henley Royal Regatta

Harvard crew returned to the top of the podium at the Henley Royal Regatta (July 5-8) with a win in the Ladies Challenge Plate. It was one of three victories for Harvard-affiliated rowers on the final day of the regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England.

The varsity eight defeated Molesey Boat Club and New York Athletic Club by one length and clocked in at 6:36. Following a strong start, Harvard was able to take a canvas lead just a quarter mile into the race. The Crimson increased their lead to two-thirds a length by the barrier and then to a length at the three-quarters-of-a mile mark. Molesey made a push at the mile marked and cut the lead to three-quarters of a length, but Harvard picked up the pace and moved out to a full length before crossing the finish line.

Its was Harvard’s first win at Henley since 2002, when Harvard made history by winning the Ladies Challenge Plate, the Temple Challenge Cup, and the Britannia Cup at the same regatta. Harvard has now won the Ladies Plate six times to collect its 16th win at the regatta. Twelve of those wins have come under head coach Harry Parker.

The varsity eight was made up of Jessica Hoy ’07 (cox), George Kitovitz ’08 (stroke), Matt McLane ’07 (7), Toby Medaris ’07 (6), Andrew Boston ’07 (5), Henrik Rummel ’09 (4), Joe Medioli ’08 (3), Simon Gawlik ’09 (2), and Simon Kotzeff ’07 (bow).

Shawnigan Lake & Victoria City of Canada defeated Australian Institute of Sport by one and a quarter lengths to win the Grand Challenge Cup. Malcolm Howard ’05 sat in the five seat for that boat. Mike Blomquest ’03 was a member of the Molesey crew Harvard beat in the Ladies Challenge Plate. Kip McDaniel ’04 and his crew from Brentwood College & Shawnigan Lake of Canada, meanwhile, fell to Leander in the final of the Stewards’ Challenge Cup.

Former Radcliffe rower Michelle Guerette ’02 captured the Princess Royal Challenge Cup in the women’s single sculls with an impressive win over J.C. Goldsack of Wallingford Rowing Club. Guerette clocked in at 9:24, the fastest time in that race over the weekend.