Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2017-18 | Hawk Talk Monthly — May 2018
HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England — The University of Iowa rowing team continued its run in England after the Henley Women’s Regatta, making a first for the Big Ten at the Henley Royal Regatta and going oar-to-oar with some of the world’s top crews at the Holland Beker Regatta.
After being selected for the Henley Royal Regatta earlier this week without having to qualify, the Hawkeye 1V crew became the first Big Ten crew in the 179-year history of the event to win a women’s race. Iowa defeated a composite crew from Molesey, BC Tideway Scullers, and Edinburgh University by 2 ¼ lengths in the first round of the event. They will face the Australian Senior National Team on Friday.
“The win in the first round is a milestone in that it is the first win for a Big Ten team in any women’s race in the history of Henley Royal Regatta,” Iowa head coach Andrew Carter said. “Regardless of how the remaining regatta goes for us, no one will ever get to take that away.”
Earlier in the week, Iowa had two crews race in the Holland Beker Regatta on July 1, where time-trials were implemented due to strong winds. Both crews advanced to the A-final with Iowa’s 1V placing second overall (7:02.80) and the 2V crew finishing fifth (7:25.49).
The Hawkeyes faced stiff competition in a final that included the Dutch Senior National Team, which has already won two World Cup races this year, the Dutch U23 National Team, a crew that included Iowa junior Eve Stewart, the Dutch “Project 2020” crew, and the KSRV Njord crew, a top university crew in the Netherlands.
“Our next pairing is with the Australian Senior National Team, bronze medalists at the second World Cup Regatta in Linz, Austria, a week and a half ago,” Carter said. “An uphill battle for sure, but our crew will give it their all.”
The Henley Royal Regatta continues Friday with Iowa’s 1V crew facing the Australian Senior National Team at 5:35 a.m. (CT). Fans can stream the races on Youtube (HenleyRoyalRegatta) or follow live results and updates on Twitter (@henleyresults/@henleyregatta).
