national champions Scotch by around a metre, before Scotch was able to open a small lead at about the 500m mark and hold around a half a length advantage at the midpoint of the race. However, the St Paul’ s crew kept pushing, and drew back to a canvas( around two metres) behind with 600m to go. In the final 500m we found ourselves in a sprint for the line – both crews were desperate to win and both crews put their bodies on the line. Fortunately, our training and preparation allowed us to get up to win by half a boat length.
In the final on Sunday we faced Radley. Our plan was to make the race as boring as possible by getting in front early. Things went to plan at the start, as we were able to take an early lead, and by the barrier we were close to a length ahead. We went on to beat Radley College by one and two-thirds lengths.
In addition to winning the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, the Leander Club President Jeremy Randall presented the Scotch crew with the‘ Leander Challenge Cup’, which is awarded to the fastest overseas crew.
The important thing about the success we were able to achieve this year at Henley is to acknowledge all the Scotch crews that went before us. In all, five Scotch crews( some participating as quads and some as eights) have made the trek to Henley-on-Thames. We have benefited from the things they have learned along the way, and for this we are grateful. We were also proud to carry the‘ David Boykett’ name on the bow of our boat; we know David would have loved the fierce international competition, and his name going over the line in first place.
To have had the opportunity to race at the Henley Royal Regatta is an honour, and to have won is an even greater honour. Only three Australian crews have been successful at this regatta: Brisbane Boys’ College( 1993), The King’ s School( 2001) and now Scotch College. We have been overwhelmed by the response from the Scotch Family, and the Australian rowing community.
The footage we saw of Scotch boys on the Cambodia trip finding a way to watch the live racing and cheering the crew on was unforgettable. We are grateful for every bit of support, and sharing our success with the wider Scotch and rowing community has been really rewarding.
The Scotch crew was Harry Isles( bow), Max Cooper( 2), Mark Russell( 3), Marcus Emmett( 4), Charlie Miller( 5), Thomas Macky( 6), Angus Emmett( 7), Lachie Murchie( stroke) and Harry Gill( cox). Tom Woodruff was the coach.
This crew’ s success would not occur without the support of those around us. The two boatmen, Conrad Cooper(‘ 14) and Nick Symon(‘ 15), were a huge help, with Nick dropping in from a European holiday to be the boatman
while we were in Henley. In addition, our thanks go to Rob Strang(‘ 64) who provided enormous logistical assistance in arranging for our oars to be shipped to and from Europe.
The role of our gym trainer Kemble Edelsten(‘ 90) was crucial, helping us to build our strength, as was the support of Principal Tom Batty and Vice Principal Robert McLaren(‘ 73). The support of the Cardinal Club, led by President Russell Kilroe-Smith(‘ 86) and Treasurer Andrew Dickson, was also very important in making the trip a success.
Our parents’ support was vital as well, as they not only provided the funds but gave us their ongoing support. However, the main acknowledgment goes to our coach Tom Woodruff, who has been our mentor for the last two and a half years, providing us not only with rowing skills, but many life skills as well. We are so appreciative of the time and effort he has invested in all of us, and we will never forget this experience. ANGUS EMMETT – CAPTAIN OF BOATS( YEAR 12) www. scotch. vic. edu. au Great Scot 23