Today Queen’s University Belfast competed in the Cup of the Capital Regatta in Moscow, Russia. This invitational event celebrates 150 years of Russian Rowing. Queen’s competed in the blue ribbon event, the Golden Boat Race. This unusual race format involves 10 crews racing side by side over a 7.5km course along the Moskva River, Moscow. The ten teams competing included Cambridge University Boat Club, Karlsruhe University (Germany), Russian University of Physical Education, Estonia, Croatia, University of Bydgoszcz (Poland), Ukraine, Belarus and the current champions Pavia University Italy. This event is designed to promote rowing in Russia and is preceded by the Russian University Boat race between St Petersburg University and the University of Moscow. The winners receive the coveted Golden Boat trophy made of solid gold and encrusted with diamonds. It was a great honour for Queen’s rowers to be invited to this prestigious global event along with some of Europe’s top university athletes.
In rough conditions Queen’s managed a respectable fifth place finish ahead of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Cambridge University Boat Club. Pavia (Italy) retained their title for the third year straight, finishing ahead of the University of Bydgoszcz, Estonia, and Croatia. It has been a memorable experience for the crew and they would hope to build on this in the forthcoming season.
Queen’s Crew:
- (c) Andrew Tubman
- (s) Mike Ewing
- (7) Marc Butler
- (6) Abdulrahman Mohammed
- (5) Chris Coyle
- (4) Colin Willliamson
- (3) Rob Edmondson
- (2) Gavin Meek
- (b) Will Howell
