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and spirits were high heading into HRR. Round one saw a commanding performance over Green Lake BC, USA, and there was strong belief that the girls could turn over Henley RC (National Champions and Henley Women’s Regatta winners). The race proved to be one of the best of the day, with Teddies never letting Henley get clear water and closing in towards the line, unfortunately finishing ¾ length down. This was a tremendous effort from the girls and to push the top-ranked crew all the way showed the improvement the VIII have made. Five of the crew are back next year and with exciting talent in the years below, Teddies girls’ rowing is putting its marker down and I cannot wait to see where they take things this year. It is difficult to summarise just how much the Boat Club stepped up this year as so much has been achieved by all involved. From the Shells to the seniors, there is so much potential and excitement about rowing which feels very special. The dedication and commitment made by the rowers is truly exceptional, but the values, experiences and friendships formed along the way are often life changing. A final well done and thank you to everyone involved with SESBC, it really is a team effort and I am already excited about what can be achieved this year.

Oliver Shillinglaw, Rory McDonnell, Joshua Brangan, Isaac Hillicks-Tulip, Guy Wheeler, Max Ebner, William White, Scott Bain and Noah Wilmot at the National Schools’ Regatta in May

for many years, with not more than a few seconds separating six crews. Preparations for Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) were good and included a few days in Chester before the Regatta started, where the boat was showing more speed than ever. The draw for HRR proved to be a difficult one for the VIII and after a relaxed first round on Tuesday against Pangbourne, Wednesday was a big one against local rivals Radley. Throughout the year the VIII had lost just once to Radley and so, although the race was going to be close, they were confident that they could get the job done. Unfortunately, the bowman fell ill prompting a call up from the 2nd VIII and, although the VIII led at both the Barrier and Fawley, Radley were strong in the second half and powered into the headwind to take the victory. A sad final race for what has been one of SESBC’s fastest crews, but their year will not be defined by this one race. To quote the great Roger Federer, ‘You can succumb to your frustrations, or do the thing of champions and calmly regroup’. With five of the crew back this year, and the strength of the squad, the VIII will go again at HRR 2023! The girls’ 1st VIII also set records and one of the best must be that they were the first girls’ SESBC VIII to race in a Championship VIII final at NSR, finishing 4th and only a second off a medal. Two crews ahead of them were clubs which meant they were the

second fastest schoolgirl VIII. There were wins at Nottingham City Regatta in Open VIIIs and at Reading Regatta in J18 VIIIs (the last time St Edward’s had their name on the trophy was in 1985). The VIII also made the semi-final at Henley Women’s Regatta losing to the eventual winners by just under a length. The VIII had a good camp in Chester

Poppy Luttrell-Hunt, Daisy Martin, Omolara Sowande, Charlotte Baker and Siena Garman at the National Schools’ Regatta in May