The Portora rowing team who are all set to travel to the Henley Regatta. Back from left, Ewan Murray, Barney Ricks, Rory Farragher, Josh Kennedy, Ryan Ballantine. James Foster, Euan Gebler and Aaron Johnston RMGFH76
Portora rowers are preparing for the Royal Henley Regatta, just over a week away now. It’s a historic trip for the boys of the Boat Club, marking their first row at the event since 1982.
On that occasion the Portora crew broke and oar on their very first stroke, with the strict rules on equipment putting an end to their chances in the event that year.
“It is great to have a crew returning to compete at Henley Royal regatta in 2015. We still have to finalise the full line-up of the crew in the coming days,” said Derek Holland speaking for Portora Boat Club.
The club’s boys team will be rowing for the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup for Junior 8 Schools with racing starting on Wednesday 1st July. The event will serve as a good pacer for the club’s main goal in 2015.
“The focus is very much on retaining the Irish Junior Eights Championship of Ireland, which we won last year,” said Holland.
“The crew is a new crew from last year and on paper is technically better and much faster. We are using Henley Royal as preparation for the Irish Championships as it will give us two good rounds against the best schools from around the world at the toughest regatta in the world
“This will be a massive step up for the Portora boys who will be representing Portora Royal School at the highest ranked club regatta in the world. We hope get a good draw and get through at least two rounds against some of the biggest and most elite schools from across the UK, Australia, Germany and US.”
The Portora girls will also be in action, competing in the Junior eights and Women’s Henley regatta on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June.
In the boat for Portora will be Cox Chloe McClean, Emma Glover, Elizabeth Clarke, Mia Jane Elliott, Alice Beacom, Lydia Mulligan, Sophie O’Dolan, Orla McConville and Carrie McShea.
Coaches travelling with the girls will be Jo Balcombe and Dave Ewart.
“The girls have been drawn a very favourable draw and we would be very hopeful of making the semi-final at least,” said Holland. “We would also be quietly confident that they can actually make it all the way to the final of their event if they can step up to the mark.”