Portora join Trinity and Lady Elizabeth at Henley

Portora Royal School qualified for the main draw of Henley Royal Regatta with a fine performance in the qualifiers.

This will bring the Irish representation at the regatta, which begins on Wednesday, to three, as they join crews from Trinity and Lady Elizabeth in the main draw. The two other crews attempting to qualify, UCC and Belfast Rowing Club, did not make it through.

The Princess Elizabeth for schoolboy eights is a tough competition but Portora set a very fast time to bridge a gap of 33 years since a crew from Enniskillen last entered the main draw at Henley.

Under coach Derek Holland, Portora has set a high standard, and last weekend the girls’ eight from Portora reached the semi-final at Women’s Henley.

Holland was keeping his feet on the ground about the boys’ chances, however.

“We’re hoping for good racing and using it as preparation for the Irish Championships,” he said.

UCC fall short

University College Cork did not qualify in the Prince Albert for student coxed fours. The crew were the 12th fastest non-qualifier with a time of seven minutes 36 seconds.

In the Wyfold for club coxless fours, Belfast Rowing Club did not qualify. Their time of seven minutes, 41.3 seconds was the 16th fastest of the non-qualifiers.

In the Diamond Sculls, the open event for single scullers,, Alan Campbell, though he was not asked to qualify, was listed as a withdrawal.

Two Irish crews went directly through to the main draw.

Trinity’s eight will compete in the Temple Cup for college eights, and Lady Elizabeth in the Wyfold for club fours.