Year 13 pupil and Deputy Head of College Henry Blois-Brooke has just returned to Shiplake College after a weekend in Munich, competing in the Munich International DRV Juniors Regatta. Henry had been chosen to compete in the prestigious event as part of the Great Britain crew, after attending trials throughout the year and proving his skill and talent on the water.
Henry, the only pupil from Shiplake to compete in the Regatta, joined the rest of the GB squad as they travelled to Munich on Friday 5 May. During the afternoon, the crews trained on the river in the boat that they would be racing in the following day, allowing the rowers to familiarise themselves with the boat, and each other as a crew. Despite having met before at previous trials, it was the first time that the rowers had been together in a boat. Henry was joined by pupils from Eton and Winchester in the crew. The racing began on Saturday; Henry raced in the Coxless Four semi-finals and came second, which ensured them a place in the final. Six boats went up against each other in the final, and the GB four powered home to win a silver medal, narrowly losing out to the German crew.
Henry was placed into the Eight for Sunday’s race. The top four and second four from the races the previous day were chosen to make up the Eight crew, and the crew stroked to a win in the semi-finals. This ensured that they were racing in the finals that afternoon. After a quick start and a well-held position, the GB crew were victorious, winning the gold medal in 5 minutes 47 seconds. Germany, who took the silver medal, were approximately a length behind them.
The Munich Regatta is a very good indicator of the rowers who will be chosen to attend the Junior World Championships; Henry’s incredible performance in the races will put him in good stead for the World Championships – the line-up for which will be announced after Henley Royal Regatta. Henry holds ambitions to attend an American University on a rowing scholarship.
And Henry was not the only familiar face in Munich at the weekend - Director of Rowing Mr David Currie was also at the event, coaching the Boys Sweep team. Mr Currie also found success, with the Sweep team winning a Gold in the Men's 8 and Pair, and a Silver in the Men's Coxless Fours.
