HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England -- The Bates College rowing teams are getting a rare opportunity this summer, as the Bobcats are sending six boats "across the pond" to compete in three world-famous races, including the Henley Royal Regatta.
"Our senior class came to me over a year ago and expressed an interest in going," head coach
Peter Steenstra said. "I told them what it would take and this group has earned the opportunity and then some. To experience our sport on this scope is pretty different. Millions of people will be watching."
This is only the second time in program history Bates has sent any crew to Henley. In 2009, the men's team sent their first varsity eight boat. The Bobcats hoped to go in 2020, only to have the COVID-19 pandemic put a kibosh to those plans.
Now, Bates is sending a women's eight, a men's eight, a women's quad, a men's four, a women's double, and a men's pair to compete against crews from around the world.
"The chance to train like professional athletes in advance of this trip has been amazing," sophomore women's varsity eight coxswain
Leah Brody (Larchmont, N.Y.) said. "It's continued to foster our passion for rowing."
Bates will be competing at three different events,
starting this Friday through Sunday with the Henley Women's Regatta.
Brody and her varsity eight crew will compete in a time trial Friday on the River Thames at 10 a.m. in the U.K. Wake up early to
watch live online, as that's 5 a.m. on the east coast of the United States.
Then the women's quad will compete in a time trial at 12:20 p.m. (7:20 a.m. eastern time)
Based on the results of the time trials, both boats will compete in heats Friday afternoon. The heats will determine their placement in Saturday's quarterfinals, with semifinals and finals set for Sunday.
While the women are racing on Saturday at the Henley Women's Regatta, the men's team will head to the
Marlow Regatta at Dorney Lake, Eton. It is a chance to pre-qualify for the famed
Henley Royal Regatta. All three men's boats will have a chance to compete in both a time trial and a final at the Marlow Regatta.
Time trials for the Henley Royal Regatta are set for June 26th for both the women's and men's teams, with racing for Bates beginning July 1st. The men's pair will also compete in a race on June 29th. The Henley Royal Regatta is a series of one-on-one races on the River Thames, with the winner moving on to the next round. It has been held annually since 1839. More details of Bates' schedule will be shared closer to race day.
Both teams are coming off strong seasons, making this end-of-the-year trip to England a nice bonus. The women's team won the NESCAC title and finished national runner-up at the NCAA Division III Championship. Meanwhile, the men's team placed fifth at the IRA National Championship.
Regardless of how many races the Bobcats end up competing in overseas, it's an experience the rowers will never forget.
"It's really the dream," senior captain
Olivia Smith said. "It's the best possible way to say goodbye to Bates... really slowly. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to continue rowing with my teammates for a few more weeks."
Bates Lineups:
Bates WV8+ lineup: Bow:
Hannah de Fontaine; 2:
Greta Oberdiek; 3:
Arden Minor; 4:
Megan O'Donnell; 5:
Isabelle Martin; 6:
Quinn Gleason; 7:
Olivia Smith; Stroke:
Virginia Adams; c:
Leah Brody
Bates MV8+ lineup: Bow:
Erik Lindholm; 2:
Luke Johnson; 3:
Samuel Perozek; 4:
Conor McGuckin; 5:
Roy Bellows; 6:
Brendan Kelly; 7:
Peter Gratwick; Stroke:
Luke Desmaison; c:
Darien Chiang
Bates WV4x lineup: Bow:
Cal Dagner; 2:
Ava Teleki; 3:
Adina Suchman; 4:
Maggie Gill
Bates MV4+ lineup: Bow:
John Cleary; 2:
Bryce Ahn; 3:
Thomas Pacinda; 4:
Kelly McKaige; c:
Sara Maquera
Bates WV2x lineup: Bow:
Olivia Hill; 2:
Mia Senturk
Bates MV2- lineup: Bow:
Logan Schlichter; 2:
Nicholas Hoerle
