Water Way To Win!

Varsity rowing meet goes right to the final race with UWE clinching a dramatic win


On a fantastic day of rowing and musical entertainment provided by TUBBS (The University of Bristol Barbershop Singers), UWE took the Varsity Blade, edging out Bristol in the final race to win the title.

Five of the day’s nine races were to count towards the fiercely-contested Varsity trophy, and UWE started strongly in the Men’s 1st 8 race, beating their rivals by two clear lengths.

Bristol responded immediately by winning the Novice Women’s 1st 8 category, in an exciting race which saw the two boats neck and neck right up to the finish line.

UWE regained their advantage when they came out on top in the Novice Men’s 2nd 8 with a convincing victory, steaming ahead of the Bristol crew.

Ensuring it would go down to the final race, the Bristol Senior Women’s 1st 8 won an extremely close race, but UWE subsequently rowed to victory in the male category to seal the Varsity Blade.

Other highlights included an excellent Bristol victory in the Women’s Alumni event, winning the race by three lengths, a superb achievement, as well as a convincing UWE victory in the Novice Women’s 2nd 8 race.

Olympic gold medallist, Katherine Grainger CBE, was in attendance to unveil the name of the boat in which two UWE students, Hannah Lawton and Jess Van Beck, will compete in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Rowing Race in December.

Special guest Katherine Grainger (far right) helps unveil Sedulous

In memory of their friend, Eleanor Rose Ellis, an active member of the UWE Boat Club who tragically lost her life to cancer last year, they will row across the Atlantic in a boat named ‘Sedulous’ – meaning to show dedication and diligence, traits they will certainly need to show in the race.

Hannah and Jess both spoke of Eleanor’s bravery and commented they will both need to replicate the qualities she displayed in order to complete the challenge.