Scullers just miss Henley Final
The University of Bath double sculls crew of Sian Ripley and Anna Davidson reached the semi-finals of the event at the weekend’s Henley Women’s Regatta.
Sian and Anna – both Sport and Exercise Science students at the University of Bath – had just come back from the recent Bath UniversityBoat Club training camp with some solid training under their belts andwere showing good speed on the end of camp timed pieces.
However, Sian has been struggling with a shoulder injury since November 2006 and at one of their preparation regattas just one week prior to theHenley Women’s Regatta, the crew had to pull out in the quarter-finals as Sian’s shoulder flared up again.
Going into Women’s Henley the crew were unsure as to how they would progress but they exceeded expectations. The uncertainty prior to their first race was eclipsed in a very controlled row in the first round of the Rosie Mayglothling Trophy against Maidstone Invicta.
In an attempt to try to minimise the pain in Sian’s shoulder the crew were conservative off the start in all their races which meant thattheir opposition was normally ahead off the start.
The pattern of the first race was mirrored in the next two rounds against the Vesta / Globe composite and the York City Rowing Club crew,where their opposition led for the first few hundred metres only to bereeled back in and overtaken due to some solid rowing through the middleof the race.
That set-up a semi-final against Newcastle University, who came second at this year’s BUSA regatta, one place ahead of Bath. Unfortunately,the same result was to follow as Newcastle pipped Anna and Sian to aplace in the finals.
Sian Ripley was identified for GB Rowing by the Amateur Rowing Association’s World Class Start and Potential Programme. The programmeis funded by UK Sport with Lottery money and since 2006 is sponsored by Siemens. The programme at Bath has identified three athletes for Great Britain teams in the past three years.
Anna Davidson trains with the World Class Start and Potential athletes in the World Class Training Group and last year represented England at the Home Countries International Regatta. Anna graduates from theUniversity of Bath this year with a 2:1 in Sport and Exercise Science.
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its Team Bath brand, its success is based onthe expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities,used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or see the Team Bath website.
Posted: Tuesday 26th June 2007
