On Sunday 2 March, Leander Club took two women’s eights and one men’s eight into London to race Cambridge University Crews on the Championship course. The racing provided a unique opportunity for Olympians, newly Caversham-based GBR squad athletes and club-based athletes to come together in both women’s eights.
Conditions couldn’t have been better on the day, with a light tail wind and calm conditions, it provided an excellent opportunity for our crews to test themselves before the final push into the Men’s and Women’s Eight’s Head of the River races.
Leander A vs CUBC Women
First up, it was the Leander women’s eight coxed by Jack Tottem and stroked by club based Olympic Bronze medallist Annie Campbell-Orde. Under starters orders both crews came through Putney Bridge with CUBC on Surrey and Leander on Middlesex. Leander got off to a great start, punching straight into a long and low strong rhythm which saw them lead by half a length at the end of the Putney Embankment.
From there, with the first bend in their favour, the crew increased their margin further to a safe distance where Jack could then steer his preferred line until the end of the first piece at Chiswick steps. Leander took the win by 2 lengths.
After discussions between both Chief Coaches, and with the intent on making sure both crews got some tough racing, it was decided that Leander would start half a length down on the second piece running from Chiswick steps to the boat race finish posts. The Leander women already starting half a length down and on the outside of the second half of the Surrey bend, held the margin before making their move to take a lead into Barnes Bridge. The Leander women continued their strong rhythm stretching the margin to an overall win by 1 ¾ lengths.
Commenting on the racing, Olympic Bronze medallist Eve Stewart said:“Yesterday was a fantastic day of racing against a strong Cambridge crew. It was great to get out on the Tideway in Leander pink and I’m excited to see how we can build towards WeHorr next weekend.”
LDR B vs CUBC Women Blondie
A strong Leander women’s second eight coxed by Paralympic Champion Erin Kennedy took to the Championship course to race Blondie. In the middle of the boat, Olympian Imogen Magner and Olympic Champion Lola Anderson supported by their crew mates were able to pull out to a convincing lead in the first piece winning by 4 ¾ lengths.
For the second piece, Leander started on Middlesex but gave Blondie an advantage of 1 length. As both crews approached Barnes Bridge, Leander had again taken the lead and continued to stretch the margin to an overall victory of 2 ¼ lengths.
Leander Men vs Goldie
Leander, racing the first piece on Surrey station, were sluggish off the start and struggled with the bouncy launch wash, unlike Goldie, who quickly surged ahead to establish a half-length lead by the end of the embankment. The crews continued racing around the Hammersmith bend, where Goldie’s lead was maintained at just over a length. Coxswain Peter Litwin, new to the Tideway, did an excellent job of holding the line around the bend. The crews were eventually called to a stop at the end of the Eyot, with Goldie winning a hard-fought race by just over a length.
In the second piece, the crews swapped stations. Goldie immediately jumped out to a ¾-length lead, but Leander fought hard to maintain contact. As they approached Barnes Bridge, Leander began to reduce Goldie’s lead, and with the turn in their favor, they took the lead. After a thrilling battle, Goldie regained momentum and, in a dramatic final stretch, managed to edge out Leander, taking the win by just under a canvas.
Commenting on the days racing, Club Captain Lola Anderson said: “Sunday was a remarkable day for Leander, showcasing the strength and determination of our crews. Both Leander women’s eights delivered bold and confident performances, with Women’s A decisively winning both races against the Blue Boat, taking control early on.
“Women’s B also had great success, securing comfortable wins in both their races, and building valuable momentum throughout the day. The Leander men faced Goldie with resilience, demonstrating impressive race pace and gaining crucial experience as we approach the end of the head season and transition into regatta summer. Each race brought out the best in our teams, and we’re excited for what lies ahead!”
Full crew lists are below the photos.
Women’s A vs CUBC Women’s Blue Boat
8 Annie Campbell-Orde
7 Philippa Emery
6 Eve Stewart
5 Lauren Irwin
4 Hannah Scott
3 Lauren Carey
2 Juliette Perry
1 Eleanour Brinkhoff
C Jack Tottem
Women’s B vs CUBC Blondie
8 Abi Topp
7 Amelia Standing
6 Imogen Magner
5 Lola Anderson
4 Olivia Costello
3 Amy Salesky
2 Issy Hawes
1 Phoebe Snowden
C Erin Kennedy
Men’s A vs CUBC Goldie
8 Miles Deveraux
7 Jack Prior
6 Matt Fielding
5 Kenny Coplan
4 Levin Graff
3 Jack Keating
2 George Reed
1 Rupert Apps
C Jack Litwin
