Griffen 2014

25 www.oaclub.org.uk Elsewhere at Henley, Oliver Cook (2008) was part of the Leander Club and Molesey Boat Club crew that beat Northeastern University ‘A’ by a canvas in the final of The Ladies’ Challenge Plate, and Tim Richards (2009) stroked the Imperial College ‘A’ Coxed Four to a 3 lengths victory in The Prince Albert Challenge Cup. In total, 20 medals were won by Abingdonians and Old Abingdonians at Henley this year – more even than Harvard or Leander. After Henley, three 2013 leavers were selected for an Eight at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Trakai, Lithuania; Joel Cooper (bow), Matthew Carter (five) and Ian Middleton (cox) reached the final but were squeezed out of the medals into fourth spot. Fellow Leavers Will Horlock and Rory Brampton, joined Jonathan Lord and Luke Wiggins (2014) to race for England in the Coxless Four at the Home International Regatta at Nottingham; having secured a silver medal, they then doubled up with boys from St Paul’s, Eton and Hampton, securing gold in the Eight. Sir David Tanner (1966) continued as GB Rowing’s Performance Director for the 17th year. Oliver Cook rowed The final of the Thames Challenge Cup Photography: Robin Middleton in the GB Men’s Eight (the top boat) at the London leg of the World Cup and ended the season winning the B final in the Pair, at the Chungju World Championships in Korea. At the Under 23 event, held in Linz, Austria, the Eight, which finished fifth, contained no fewer than four OAs; Tim Clarke (2009), Jamie Cook, George Rossiter and cox Rory Copus (all 2010). Jamie Copus stroked the Lightweight Double to tenth place. The highlight though was Tim Richards, in the Lightweight Quad - they were just pipped by the Italians to the gold medal in the last strokes. This meant that six OAs represented Great Britain at this event. 2013 will be very difficult to emulate, however with the continued support of the huge numbers of Old Abingdonians on the banks and in the enclosures at Henley, as well as the support week in week out at less glamorous regattas from the FASBC, it would be great to repeat some of these successes in 2014. Mike Litchfield (1994 and Common Room) FASBC Merchandise A range of FASBC merchandise is available. Please email [email protected] for a brochure. Griffen Boat Club Contact: Joe Calnan (2003) Email: [email protected]