In the first of two reports of our alumni’s recent Henley Royal Regatta wins, we bring you Molly Curry’s story first (only because she won first – Rachel’s story will follow shortly).

After a year training with Durham University Boat Club, links with Molesey Boat Club had her travelling down on weekends to SW London to form a quad that performed well at early regattas.

Things were looking good for HRR: they would be racing at Club level and an intensive training week would double the number of outings they had been able to have since forming!

Being one of 8 Selected crews for their HRR event (which means you do not have to qualify) out of 35 entries (including from Norway, New Zealand and Australia) was a good start. Being Selected at HRR generally means your first round race will be against a crew that had to qualify. In fact Molesey’s first round, quarter and semi-finals were all clearly settled by Remenham and Molly was able to take the rate down to cruise over the finish line at a relaxed rate of 25 (it is considered unsporting to win by too much ….). Which is a mixed blessing – Molly’s crew hadn’t had a chance to test themselves at full power for the whole course (which is 112 metres longer than the standard 2k – Henley likes to be different!).

Friday was a rest day (if you call a 6:30am training outing a rest!) though it can just prolong the nerves (at least for the parents and coaches, if not the athletes, but HRR offers lots of distractions for the former).

The Sunday final was mid-morning, though the summer heat was already rising. Against the famous Leander, Molly took her crew off the start at 49 strokes per minute but despite this, their familiar lead by the end of the Island wasn’t there, they were level – this was going to be a tough one. Matching Leander’s rate but with far neater blade work, Molly’s crew had pulled ahead by half a length by the Barrier. Past Remenham, Leander held on to Molesey, but had to rate higher to do it – were Molesey holding back for a final push past the Enclosure? This was the part of the race they hadn’t had to do in the earlier rounds. Entering the Steward’s, Leander raised the rate to 38 in a last attempt. Buoyed by the Enclosure’s roar, Molesey matched that rate and pulled away to win by 2 lengths in a record 7:13.

Parents and past coaches alike were as over-joyed as the athletes – hugs from a sweaty Molly were in order even if you were in your COBRA blazer! Jeremy risked being thrown out of the Stewards’ by using his mobile to pass on the good news. Molly and her crew mates will be the first names on this inaugural Danesfield Challenge Cup – appropriately named after the nearby Danesfield House on the site of ancient Celtic female warriors! As stroke, Molly collected the trophy at the presentation (and there is even a picture of her with the champagne bottle to her lips!).

A fantastic week’s result from a fantastic athlete. All at Coleraine GS and COBRA who played a small part in your journey are proud of you.

All Molly’s rounds (Days 2, 3, 5 & 6) can be watched here: HenleyRoyalRegatta - YouTube