Two wins in three races gave the Irish crews a satisfactory second day at Henley Royal Regatta.
UCD beat University of Virginia in the first round of the Prince Albert for Men’s Student coxed four. On a very good day with a moderate headwind the American crew were competitive at the start. UCD, the selected (seeded) crew, moved away steadily and led by a length and more from halfway. They won by one and three-quarter lengths.
Cork’s club four (above) won on their second day of the Wyfold with another fine performance – indeed their victory over Vesta A was very similar to their win in the first round against Marlow, right down to the winning margin of two-thirds of a length. The Cork crew, stroked by Jonathan Cuddy, adopted a high rating early and moved over a length clear of their opponents, then allowed them to close over the final stages, assured of their win.
UCD’s crew in the Visitors’ for Intermediate men’s fours lost to a slick Syracuse University in excellent conditions. The US crew got a powerful start and pushed into a lead which fell just short of a length. UCD mounted a series of attacks, but their steering let them down. Coming past the Enclosures, Syracuse could finally relax a little. They won by three and a quarter lengths.
Henley Royal Regatta 2023 Day Two (Irish interest)
Prince Albert (Student Men’s Four, coxed): UCD bt University of Virginia 1¾ l
Wyfold (Club Men’s Fours): Cork BC bt Vesta A 2/3 l
Visitors’ (Intermediate Men’s Four): University of Syracuse bt UCD 3¼