Andrew’s Amazes, 

Americans Advance

Henley-on-Thames, England — In front of tens of thousands of spectators milling over every inch of open terrain along the River Thames, American boats stepped into the spotlight numerous times today at the Henley Royal Regatta.

No performance, though, rivaled that of St. Andrew’s School.  The Middletown, Del., crew sent shockwaves from the Stewards’ Enclosure to Temple Island.  In a pulsating come-from-behind victory, St. Andrew’s overpowered two-time defending champion Eton College, a fan favorite at Henley, in one of the best races of the day.

After trailing at the Barrier and Fawley, St. Andrew’s stormed to a 1/2-length victory in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in 6 minutes, 29 seconds.  A championship  meeting with Abingdon School now awaits on Sunday. 

Abingdon topped Radley College in the other semifinal in 6:19 — a new course record on the Thames.

St. Andrew’s will look to become the first U.S. crew to win the Princess Elizabeth Cup since St. Ignatius Prep from San Francisco notched a victory in 2006.  Only two American teams have won the title in the last 10 years and just three have won since 1995.

Other U.S. victories today included:

The United States Women’s National Team, under the umbrella of the Princeton Training Center, beat the British National Team’s “B” boat from Leander Club and Reading University by a commanding 4 1/2 lengths.  The Americans will face the British National Team’s “A” boat (Leander Club and Gloucester Rowing Club) in tomorrow’s Remenham Challenge Cup finals.

The Princeton Training Center last won in 2006, the most recent American victory in the event.

Cal-Berkley topped Harvard by a 1/2 length to reach the finals of the Temple Challenge Cup.  Cal set record times at both the Barrier (1:44) and Fawley (2:57).  ASR Nereus now awaits in the finals.

G.L. Stone, rowing out of Cambridge Boat Club, beat Holland’s F.P. Dekker by

4 1/2 lengths to reach the finals of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup.

Harvard will be featured along with Oxford Brookes University in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup finals.  Harvard trailed Newcastle University in the semifinal at both the Barrier and Fawley, but managed to set a course record by posting 6.57 for a 3/4 length victory. 

Scroll down for a feature stories on the University of Virginia and a recap of Malvern Prep's loss in the Fawley Challenge Cup.

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