Cork beat Marlow in the Wyfold Challenge Cup for club men’s fours on the first day of Henley Royal Regatta today (pic courtesy Henley Royal Regatta).
Just four crews from Ireland made it into the main draw of this fabled event, with Cork fielding two crews today and UCD’s two crews yet to enter the fray.
The Cork crew in the Wyfold were selected (seeded). Mike Cronin, Peter Grogan, Tom Early and Jonathan Cuddy started strongly. They led through the middle and latter stages. Marlow, who had steering difficulties, did cut the lead significantly coming to the line, but Cork were not to be headed. The verdict was two-thirds of a length.
Earlier, in the Britannia for club men’s coxed fours, Cork’s crew made their exit to London Rowing Club, who won by one and a half lengths.
The two UCD crews also compete in men’s fours events tomorrow (Wednesday – see Programme below). In the Visitors’ for Intermediate coxless fours, UCD take on Syracuse University from the United States, a selected crew. This looks like a big test.
However, in the Prince Albert for Student coxed fours, UCD are the selected crew as they take of University of Virginia from the United States. UCD won their place through qualifiers, the stage at which Queen’s and University of Galway missed out.
A number of other Irish crews did not make it through qualifying, including the UCD club women’s eight, which missed out by one place in the Wargrave Challenge Cup.
Henley Royal Regatta 2023 (Irish interest)
Wyfold (Club Men’s Fours): Cork BC by Marlow RC 2/3 l.
Britannia (Club Men’s Fours, coxed): London RC bt Cork BC 1½ l
Wednesday Programme (Irish interest)
10.45 – Prince Albert: UCD v University of Virginia
11.10 – Wyfold: Vesta A v Cork Boat Club
3.30 – Visitors’: Syracuse University v UCD