Hawks' Talons Clipped By Shrewsbury

Henley-on-Thames, England — St. Joseph’s Prep lost in the second round of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Royal Henley Regatta this afternoon by 3/4 length to the Shrewsbury School of Shropshire, England.

The Prep was even with Shrewsbury passing Temple Island, about 200 meters into the River Thames’ 2,112-meter course.  Slowly but steadily, thought, Shrewsbury pulled ahead and led by a 1/2 length for the remainder of the race.  The Hawks were never able to muster a move to pass Shrewsbury.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Hawks, who were looking to win the Princess Elizabeth Cup for the first time since 2000.  The Prep was the first of the eight selected schools to be knocked out of the competition.

Shrewsbury finished in 6 minutes, 26 seconds; the fast time of the day in the Princess Elizabeth as of this post.  The crew will race either Radley or Shiplake in tomorrow's quarterfinals.  Shrewsbury is a four-time winner of the Princess Elizabeth Cup, the last time coming in 2007.