University of Massachusets Athletics
Rowing Update From Across the Pond
June 17, 2016 | Rowing
Video Preview | Follow On Twitter | Competition Schedule | Competition Live Stream | Competition Results
AMHERST, Mass. -- Members of the UMass rowing program arrived in England on Tues, June 14. After visiting with their host families, getting acquainted with the area and getting some much-needed sleep, the student-athletes rigged up their boats and got out on the historic race course on the Thames River in Henley.
The 8+, the quad and single all had their first row on Wednesday morning to get used to the water and rowing in two tight racing lanes lined with "boons" (wooden posts) on either side. The women who will have the opportunity to race in two events then got out in the double and the 4-.
Four women from the 8+ will be racing the 4- and two women from the 4x will be racing the 2x. Practice in those boats as well rounded out the Minutewomen's double session on Wednesday morning. UMass' entries are becoming more and more comfortable racing right up against another crew and are gaining confidence each time they take to the course to practice.
It has not been all work since arriving in England though. The Minutewomen took an afternoon to travel to London to spend a few hours touring the city and taking in some of the iconic sights such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. They have been enjoying the local restaurants in Henley, and have the opportunity to walk the course each day going to and from practice. The team has spent time meeting and talking rowing with crews from all over the world who have come to Henley for the competitive international racing experience that the Henley Women's Regatta offers.
Massachusetts has entered Elite 8+, Elite 4-, Elite 4x, Elite 2x (Krysten Menks, Allanah Rubi-Mooney) and Elite 1x (Sam Kolovson) boats for the competition.
Kelsey Anderson, Daniella du Toit, Sam Wonderlin, Hannah White, Pippa Edwards, Abby Norwood, Courtney Edson, Nicole Destefano and Hadley Irvin will comprise the Elite 8+ boat. du Toit, Edwards, Norwood and Edson make up the Elite 4- boat. Menks, Zoe Hill, Grace Bundy and Rubi-Mooney will race the Elite 4x boat.
For complete coverage of the Henley Women's Regatta, follow @Henley_Womens on Twitter. For continued coverage of UMass rowing, follow the team on Twitter (@UMassRowing), Instagram (@UMass_Rowing) and on Facebook at facebook.com/UMassRowing.
