Charlotte Dexter, Lorna Tinkler, Pippa Burnham, Emma Cockroft, Helen Roberts, Jess Elkington, Jess Collins and Hannah Traylen rowed to victory in the IM2 pennant
University rowers triumph at Women's Head of the River
Following on from the university of Exeter Boat Club’s superb performance at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Head in mid-February, female athletes from the club travelled to London to partake in the biggest Head Race of the calendar year – Women’s Head of the River – which is rowed over the same course as the famous Oxford - Cambridge Boat Race. With a field of 320 boats, the University of Exeter entered three boats; a 1st VIII entered into IM2 and two Novice Crews.
The 1st VIII broke all previous records of University of Exeter performance at this event, eventually finishing 7th overall, the fastest University that entered the event, and emphatic winners of the IM2 pennant. This, for Senior Women’s Captain Pippa Burnham, stroke Charlotte Dexter and powerhouse Emma Cockcroft, followed up their win in the IM2 pennant at Fours Head of the River, rowed over the same course in November. The girls came home just three seconds off of the course record, previously set by Cambridge and this result provides a huge boost for the upcoming Regatta season and qualification for the Remenham Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
The two novice boats also performed admirably, with the 2nd VIII coming 3rd in their Novice category and the 3rd VIII coming 211th overall – a massive jump from their 302nd placing at the start of the race.
The next big event for the boat club is Men’s Head, where the male athletes of the club will hope to emulate their female counterparts by achieving a higher finish than the previous best university of Exeter Boat.
Date: 15 March 2013
