IT proved to be an extraordinary weekend for Worcester Rowing Club at the largest female-only regatta in the country, the Henley Regatta.
The coxless 4 team - Katherine Robinson, Libby Johnson, Annabelle Headley and Meg Pickering - won the Lester Trophy for the first time in seven years as they beat pre-competition favourites, and home team, Upper Thames in the final Sunday, June 18.
There were 38 crews within their event and involved a time trial on the Friday morning, whittling it down to the fastest 16 crews for the main draw.
It was then a knockout event consisting of a heat, quarter-final, semi-final and final, racing against crews from the London regions and around the world.
The final itself was tense and only in the final stages did the Worcester crew manage to pull away for victory.
It was neck and neck for the first third of the race, Worcester having a marginal edge.
Around the halfway point the Worcester crew, sensing the occasion, launched a move to take the lead pushing out to almost a boat length ahead, which they held to the finish line.
"This is a huge result for a regional club like ours," said Club Treasurer Aidan Melarkey.
"The last time Worcester won at this event was 7 years ago winning the Lester trophy in club coxed 4's. Also in attendance at the regatta were two other Worcester crews which shows the breadth and depth of women's rowing at Worcester club.
"Their coach Will Robinson and the squad have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to get to this point. The girls are buzzing from their win and the entire club couldn't be prouder of their achievement."
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