HRR Temple Final 2014 - Oxford Brookes vs. Brown USA

Well there we go - the culmination of a lot of years work, attempts, and the end of the project. After 10 years of rowing, 9 years of racing at Henley Royal Regatta, and 4 years trying for the Temple Challenge Cup (for university 8's), we / I finally won the Temple!

What a way to do it too. With a massive influx on new athletes that saw the previous year's 8+ forming the majority of the 2nd VIII, we took that new unit to within 1/2L of winning last year, losing to the eventual winners D.S.R.V, Laga NED disappointingly in the quarter-finals. You take the Stern 5 that made for such rhythm, and add 3 new athletes to the bows - including my brother, Jamie. 2 years my junior, we'd never actually raced together before this season, which made the whole year that much more special.

After having a very successful racing season including double BUCS gold, pushing the German & Polish national 8's at Duisburg, taking Metropolitan Regatta apart in Elite 8's, and posting the fastest ever time by a Brookes crew, to top it off by winning Henley Regatta by open water just sealed the deal on my most successful and enjoyable racing season to date. But by no means do things stop here.

Hope you enjoy my recording of the race - I know I did!