First Medway Boat Race Pulls in the Crowds
Greenwich and Kent universities shared the spoils – and the silverware – at the inaugural Universities at Medway Boat Race on Saturday (26 May).
Organised by the Universities at Medway Students’ Association (UMSA), with the backing of Medway Council, the race saw the three universities – Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ Church – pulling together to create a unique contest, witnessed by several hundred spectators.
Kent’s women’s crew defeated their rivals at Canterbury Christ Church in the day’s first event, the ‘fours’ race, while Greenwich’s men’s ‘eights’ crew then chalked up a victory over the men of Kent.
But all students taking part rowed themselves into the history books as the first crews to compete in a university boat race on the River Medway.
Special guest Alison Mowbray, a former Olympics silver medallist rower, said the Medway Boat Race deserved to be a regular fixture on both the sporting and social calendar. ‘There was a wonderful atmosphere and it was fantastic to see such a turn out,’ she said. ‘I had a sense that this is the start of something big, not just for the universities but for Medway itself.
‘The celebrations were in true champion style, with the winners lifting trophies and spraying everyone with champagne. But what is most impressive is that all of the rowers were novices, who had only been training for a few months. It was a first race for all of them and I was privileged to be here at the start of such an event. Long may it continue!’
The University of Kent at Medway’s victorious women’s crew were Sports Therapy, Health and Fitness second-year students Nicole Dalgliesh (captain), Kate Sweetman, Julia Davies and Bridget Johnston.
The University of Greenwich at Medway’s winning crew were Richard Brown (captain), Aaron Jackson, Jamie McTavish, Matt Wren, Christian Malcolm and Antony Howard.
Both winning sides lifted trophies created by award-winning Chatham-based sculptor Paula Groves.
For more information and images contact:
Nick Davison
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
020 8331 8092
n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk