Historic Henley title and two World Cup medals during successful weekend of rowing

19 June 2017

A historic gold medal at the Henley Women’s Regatta and two silvers at the Poznan World Cup in Poland added up to an excellent weekend for past and present members of the GB Rowing Team Start programme at the University of Bath.

Steph Clutterbuck and Laura Macro, who study Management and Sports & Exercise Science respectively, produced a series of excellent performances in Henley – setting a new course record in the semi-finals – to claim the Rosie Mayglothing Trophy for Senior double scull crews.

Both are coached by Dan Harris and are supported by Sports Scholarships, Clutterbuck by Santander and Macro by Matrix.

“It was a fantastic result for the women’s double,” said Harris. “Steph and Laura have trained exceptionally hard all year and it was great to see them win.

“In doing so, they also made a bit of history as they become the first University of Bath student crew to win at the Henley Women’s Regatta.”

They came through three knockout races before winning the final by three-and-a-half lengths, beating a Leeds RC and York City composite who had knocked out the other Bath crew – Carlotta Broglia and Megan Stoker – in the quarter-finals.

Laura Macro and Steph Clutterbuck celebrate after winning the Senior double scull title at the 2017 Henley Women's Regatta. CREDIT: Lewis Todd
Laura Macro and Steph Clutterbuck celebrate after winning the Senior double scull title at the 2017 Henley Women’s Regatta. CREDIT: Lewis Todd

Sport & Exercise Science graduate Sam Courty, a multiple medallist on the international stage with the GB Rowing Team, reached the semi-finals of the Elite singles.

The University was also represented by Anna Willis (Chemistry), Robyn Bell (Sport & Exercise Science), Ellie Denham (Biology) and Christina Cackett (Business Administration) in the Senior quadruple scull, and Hannah Slater (Integrated Design Engineering), Kimberley Ertl (Civil & Architectural Engineering), Zara Mulholland (Civil Engineering), Ella Shilliday (Chemistry) and cox Ella Flanagan (Natural Sciences) who reached the quarter-finals of the Intermediate Academic coxed four.

Meanwhile, over in Poland, Vicky Thornley and Sara Parfett – both graduates of the GB Rowing Team Start talent identification and development programme at the University – secured podium places at the second World Cup of the year.

Rio 2016 medallist Thornley took silver in the women’s single scull, her third international medal of 2017 following bronze at the first World Cup and gold at the European Championships.

“I’m just loving it at the moment,” she said. “These races are really enjoyable to be a part of and it seems to be going well this season.”

Biology graduate Parfett claimed her first-ever senior international medal as the women’s eight finished runners-up to New Zealand.

Frazier Christie, who combined studying Economics with training with the Start programme, was eighth overall on his World Cup debut in the men’s double scull with Nick Middleton.

Click here for more information about the GB Rowing Team Start programme at the University of Bath.

Sponsors
Partners and Suppliers