The Home International Regatta is contested by the four home nations (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), at a site rotating each year between each country. Crews for each nation are selected based on their performance that season in their boat classes. For the third year running, Cantabs had crews selected to race for England: Ellie Darlington and Myriam Goudet in their pair, and the winner of the Henley Women’s TA 1x, Claire Connon.
After the 4th successive day of rowing over second on the river at Town Bumps, the Cantabs Pair headed to this year’s location of Strathclyde in Scotland only with enough time for a quick shower and a face full of hog roast before leaving Cambridge. Heroically driven by coach Tom Copeland, the pair arrived at the regatta site the following morning (after a few hours’ sleep at a Travelodge in Carlisle) with enough time for a pre-paddle and to pick up their kit.
Racing in uncharacteristically sunny conditions, the pair were able to renew their rivalry with Wales’ Helen Roberts who they had raced on and off for much of the season. Going off the start at R44, Ellie and Myriam quickly opened up a half-length of clear water over the Welsh crew, with Scotland and Ireland both several lengths back by the 500m marker. However, a week of bumps racing and the overnight drive had clearly taken its toll, and Wales were able to gradually row back through the English pair, finishing a length up.
Ellie and Myriam in action (photo: Jess Upton)
Holding off Scotland & Ireland (photo: Jess Upton)
Shortly after the 2- got off the water, the skies darkened and the heavens opened, and rain poured down for the remainder of the day. Unfortunately, this meant that Claire was able to enjoy some “refreshing” conditions in her TA 1x race. Again, the Cantabs sculler got a fast start and opened up a length of clear water, but this was clawed back down the length of the course by Scotland’s Hope Gordon.
So, a couple of second place finishes to carry on the main theme of the season, following up on second place finishes at Pairs Head, Fours Head, Scullers Head, Women’s Eights Head, Nottingham City Regatta, Wallingford Regatta, Metropolitan Regatta and more!
