Displaying items by tag: Henley

6th July 2019

Fine Effort by Commercial Not Enough to Catch Thames at Henley

Commercial (bottom) push to within half a length of Thames

#Rowing: Commercial gave a good account of themselves but were beaten by half a length in the semi-final of the Thames Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

Thames are the defending champions and masters of this event, and they controlled this race. They took a lead which never stretched beyond a length. However, they anticipated the Commercial attacks and countered them. Coming up to the line, the Dublin club closed right up – but Thames held firm to win.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Four (Selected Results; Irish interest)

Thames (Men’s Eight, Club): Thames bt Commercial ½ l

Silver Goblets (Men’s Pairs, Open): A Diaz and A Haack bt M O’Donovan and S O’Driscoll (Skibbereen) 2¾ l

Visitors (Men’s Four, Club and University): Cambridge University and Leander Club bt UCD 1¾ l

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6th July 2019

Powerful British Crew Beat UCD in Henley Semi-Final

#Rowing: UCD made a good start in the semi-finals of the Visitors’ four at Henley Royal Regatta, but could not match the power of their opponents and made their exit. The crew listed as Cambridge University and Leander Club are, most likely, on their way to the World Under-23 Championships representing Britain. UCD stayed in touch with them until Fawley, about half way, but then saw them pull away. The verdict was one and three-quarter lengths.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Four (Selected Results; Irish interest)

Silver Goblets (Men’s Pairs, Open): A Diaz and A Haack bt M O’Donovan and S O’Driscoll (Skibbereen) 2¾ l

Visitors (Men’s Four, Club and University): Cambridge University and Leander Club bt UCD 1¾ l

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Henley

6th July 2018

Winning Start by O'Donovan Brothers at Henley Rowing Regatta

Paul O'Donovan and Gary O'Donovan at the start line at Henley

#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan won their first race at Henley Royal Regatta with plenty to spare. The Skibbereen double scull sprinted away from Leander’s Stephen Cox and Tiernan Oliver at the start and left them well behind for the rest of the contest. The winning marging was a quarter length shy of five lengths.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Three (Irish interest; selected results)

Thames Cup (Eights, club): Montclair Mounties, United States bt Cork Boat Club ¾l .

Prince Albert (Fours, coxed; Student): Columbia University, US bt NUIG 1¾ l.

Double Sculls (Open): G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan bt S Cox, T Oliver 4¾ l.

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5th July 2018

Seeded Crews Give Irish Rowers Tough Time at Henley

Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale with Neptune's Fawley crew

#Rowing: Trinty lost out to Syracuse University and Neptune to Gloucester at Henley Royal Regatta today. Both victors were seeded crews; they were much heavier than their rivals from Ireland.

For the Temple Cup, Trinity lost William Doyle to a back injury after the first race and flew in Sean Canning, who replaced him. They came up against one of the top-ranked American crews in orange-clad Syracuse, who justified favouritism with a pillar-to-post win.

In the Fawley for junior quadruples, Neptune never gave up, but they, too, were fighting a losing battle from early on. They made Gloucester work – but the English crew were stronger.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Two (Selected Results; Irish interest)

Thames Cup (Eights, Club): Cork Boat Club bt London RC ‘A’ 1 ¾ l.

Temple Cup (Eights, College): Syracuse University (US) bt Trinity 2½l; Yale University (3 D Lynch) bt Bath University 2¾ l.

Fawley (Quadruple, Junior): Gloucester RC ‘A’ bt Neptune 1 1/3 l.

Double Sculls (Open): S Cox, T Oliver bt JJP Keech and JA Dunley 1 ¼ l.

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4th July 2018

NUIG Rowers Win on the Line at Henley

Trinity beat University of London at Henley

#Rowing: NUIG had an exciting win over ASR Nereus of the Netherlands in the Prince Albert Cup for student coxed fours at Henley Royal Regatta. The early stages were tight, but the Dutch took the lead and held it down most of the course. Coming into the enclosures NUIG exerted fierce pressure – and it worked. They drew level and won by a canvas.

Trinity beat the University of London B by one and three-quarter lengths in the first round of the Temple Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The Dublin University crew started well and fashioned a strong lead which their opponents could not whittle away.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day One (Selected Results; Irish interest)

Thames Cup (Eights, Club): Cork Boat Club bt Potomac, United States ¾ l, 6 min 35 sec.

Temple Cup (Eights, College): Trinity bt University of London B 1¾l, 6:40.

Prince Albert (Fours, coxed; Student): NUIG bt ASR Nereus, The Netherlands canvas, 7:13

Fawley (Quadruple, Junior): Neptune bt Tideway Scullers’ School ‘C’ 2/3l, 7:04.

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4th July 2017

Trinity Row Over at Henley Brings Joy and Tinge of Sadness

#Rowing: Here is the Trinity eight which won the Ladies Plate at Henley Royal Regatta in 1977 ‘rowing over’ 40 years later. The current captain of Dublin University Boat Club, Cian Flynn, coxed the crew on Saturday as a stand-in for Jarlath Magee, who could not travel.

Though it was a joyous commemoration, the boat was named ‘Robin Tamplin’ to honour the senior coach, who sadly died earlier this year.

There was a dinner for the crew and their families afterwards and the story telling and singing went on late into the night.

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30th June 2017

Commercial Edged Out by A Foot at Henley Royal Regatta

#Rowing: Commercial made their exit from Henley this morning in a tightly fought quarter-final of the Wyfold Cup for club fours. The Dublin crew took a lead early over Thames and retained it to beyond halfway. The English crew pushed past them and led, but were warned by the umpire and had to adjust their steering. Commercial came back and looked like they might have done enough. It was not to be. Thames were given the decision by one foot.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Three (Irish interest)

Wyfold Cup (Club Fours): Thames bt Commercial by 1 foot; 6 min 48 sec.

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29th June 2017

Clonmel Pipped in Cracking Finish at Henley Royal Regatta

#Rowing: Clonmel were beaten in a phenomenally close race at Henley Royal Regatta today. In the second round of the Fawley Cup, Tideway Scullers’ took the lead early and had a length over the the four young men in the Clonmel junior quadruple. But Clonmel clawed their way back. The crews seemed to be on level terms as they came to the line, but Tideway Scullers’ got the verdict by four feet.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Two (Irish interest)

Diamond Sculls (Open Single Sculls): J Stimpson bt N Kenny 3¼ l.

Temple Cup (College Eights): University of California, Berkeley bt Trinity 2½ l.

Wyfold (Club Fours): Commercial bt Curlew by 4¼ l .

Fawley (Under-18 Quadruple Sculls): Tideway Scullers’ School beat Clonmel by 4 ft.

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29th June 2017

Trinity Eight Fall to American Crew at Henley Rowing

#Rowing: The University of California, Berkeley, beat Trinity in the second round of the Temple Cup for college eights at Henley Royal Regatta today. The American crew won easily in the first round and were hot favourites to win this race. They franked their form and beat the Dublin university unit with ease. The verdict was two and half lengths.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Two (Irish interest)

Diamond Sculls (Open Single Sculls): J Stimpson bt N Kenny 3¼ l.

Temple Cup (College Eights): University of California, Berkeley bt Trinity 2½ l.

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28th June 2017

Commercial Rowers Ease to First-Round Win at Henley

#Rowing: Commercial had an easy win in the first round of the Wyfold Cup for club fours at Henley Royal Regatta today. Their opponents, Molesey B, made a mess of the start, veering across towards the Dublin crew and being warned. Commercial’s experienced crew of Mike Corcoran, Fionnán Groome, Colm Dowling and Shane Mac Eoin dealt with it all calmly. They moved into the lead and won, easing up, by one and a half lengths.

They are set to take on Curlew on Thursday.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day One (Irish interest)

Temple (College Eights): Trinity bt Pembroke College, Oxford by 2/3 l; 6 mins 29 sec.

Wyfold (Club Fours): Commercial bt Molesey B by 1½ l; 7:16.

Prince Albert (College Coxed Fours): Deerfield Academy (United States) bt Trinity by 5ft; 6:59.

Fawley (Under-18 Boys’ Quadruples): Clonmel bt Malvern Preparatory School B, United States by 2½ l; 6:55.

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth