Two wins yesterday, for Ailis Holohan in the lightweight single scull and the King's Hospital junior double scull, made it a very successful Women's Henley for the Irish.
Holohan, who recently won the all-Ireland Guinness sculling challenge at Blessington, took three races yesterday in her stride - the Kilkenny nurse had five lengths to spare in the final after recording the fastest time of the competition in the race.
Holohan's Commercial team-mates in the open quadruple scull had lost their chance of making and perhaps winning their final in a heartbreaking fashion earlier in the day. After a poor start in the semi-final against Thames Tradesmen they battled back courageously, only to be pipped on the line by a foot. Their conquerors went on to beat Molesey in the final.
However, the King's Hospital/Offaly junior double of Rebecca Warner and Emer Moran (they competed as King's Hospital) brought home the bacon with emphatic wins. They had four lengths to spare over York City in yesterday's final.
Athlone's regatta on Saturday had all the planning and climatic conditions to provide enjoyment: jazz and refreshments on the bank and the water glistening in the perfect sunny conditions. Unfortunately the discussion centred around the number of crews scratching in the early rounds - some crews arrived at the start to discover that their scheduled opponents had pulled out.
The Tribemen eight made history for the club, recording their first win in this discipline at a major regatta. Garda were not absent so much as frustrated attendees who missed the chance of a real race before Henley Royal Regatta because a foot stretcher in their boat had fallen off and they could not find a suitable replacement. Neptune fielded their junior eight and were not real contenders.
James Morris was the big winner in the men's single sculls - the Commercial man won both senior one and senior three events.
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