Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Henley Updates: After 2 Wins, Lightweights Fall In Classic Quarterfinal vs IRA Heavy Champ Yale
July 04, 2018 | Men's Rowing - Lightweight
This page will have daily updates as the Princeton men's lightweight rowing team looks to capture the 10th Henley Royal Regatta championship in University history. The Tigers are one of 32 teams in the 2018 Temple Challenge Cup field; the lightweights last won this event in 2009, and they reached the 2003 finals before falling to the Princeton heavyweight freshman eight.
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Before Princeton left for Henley, the only race it had lost in 2018 had been to an IRA champion. That hasn't changed.
After two impressive wins in its first two Temple Challenge Cup races, Princeton nearly pulled off one of the biggest wins of the regatta Friday against 2018 IRA heavyweight champion Yale. The lightweights stayed in contact with the Bulldogs — a boat comprised of rowers from Yale's top three crews, including several from the champion 1V — and made a hard charge late to try to pull the upset.
Sprinting finishes have been a hallmark of the Sprints and IRA silver medalists throughout the season, and the Temple Cup quarterfinal was no different. Ultimately, Yale held on by about a seat (see the margin below), but Princeton proved once again that it was a gutsy, talented crew that always had a special final gear when it needed it.
While the loss of seniors James Goble and James Sincavage will be felt by the program, Princeton returns six rowers — four underclassmen — and a freshman coxswain from this team, which had an extra month to train together because of this Henley trip.
THURSDAY, JULY 5
Princeton reached the Temple Cup quarterfinal with a strong effort against London University on Thursday afternoon. Just as the Tigers did on Wednesday against Glasgow, Princeton broke quickly from the start and grabbed a quick advantage. The margin went to at least a length, and Princeton was never seriously challenged over the second half of the race on the Thames, and the Tigers finished with a win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Princeton will face a very interesting quarterfinal matchup on Friday; the Tigers will face IRA heavyweight champion Yale, which advanced past Bath University by 2 3/4 lengths on Thursday. The Yale crew is a mix of its top heavyweight boats, but it includes several rowers from the 1V boat that claimed the national championship on Mercer Lake last month.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Princeton was in full control of its opening race of the Temple Cup, as it got out to a quick, significant lead against Glasgow early Wednesday morning; you can watch the race here (it's about 2:45 into the Wednesday coverage). The Tigers led by several lengths early and were able to conserve energy over the second half of the race for what they hope will be a long week of racing at Henley. The official margin of victory was 1 1/4 lengths for the Tigers, who were racing for the first time since earning silver at the 2018 IRA Championships.
Princeton will face the University of London on Thursday; London had a dominant win over Pembroke College and Clare, Cambridge early Wednesday. Thursday's race will be at 10:05 ET, 3:05 local time. You'll be able to watch Thursday's Henley competition here.
"It was good to get a win under our belt," head coach Marty Crotty said. "Tomorrow's race will be tough. This morning was clean and we were able to relax a bit when we got ahead."
You can watch the full race here.
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Before Princeton left for Henley, the only race it had lost in 2018 had been to an IRA champion. That hasn't changed.
After two impressive wins in its first two Temple Challenge Cup races, Princeton nearly pulled off one of the biggest wins of the regatta Friday against 2018 IRA heavyweight champion Yale. The lightweights stayed in contact with the Bulldogs — a boat comprised of rowers from Yale's top three crews, including several from the champion 1V — and made a hard charge late to try to pull the upset.
Sprinting finishes have been a hallmark of the Sprints and IRA silver medalists throughout the season, and the Temple Cup quarterfinal was no different. Ultimately, Yale held on by about a seat (see the margin below), but Princeton proved once again that it was a gutsy, talented crew that always had a special final gear when it needed it.
While the loss of seniors James Goble and James Sincavage will be felt by the program, Princeton returns six rowers — four underclassmen — and a freshman coxswain from this team, which had an extra month to train together because of this Henley trip.
Tigers had an incredible quarterfinal race against the IRA heavyweight champs from Yale ... Bulldogs take it by about a seat ... check out this margin. pic.twitter.com/pYrMu9FeVn
— Princeton Lights (@TigerLights) July 6, 2018
THURSDAY, JULY 5
Princeton reached the Temple Cup quarterfinal with a strong effort against London University on Thursday afternoon. Just as the Tigers did on Wednesday against Glasgow, Princeton broke quickly from the start and grabbed a quick advantage. The margin went to at least a length, and Princeton was never seriously challenged over the second half of the race on the Thames, and the Tigers finished with a win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Princeton will face a very interesting quarterfinal matchup on Friday; the Tigers will face IRA heavyweight champion Yale, which advanced past Bath University by 2 3/4 lengths on Thursday. The Yale crew is a mix of its top heavyweight boats, but it includes several rowers from the 1V boat that claimed the national championship on Mercer Lake last month.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
Princeton was in full control of its opening race of the Temple Cup, as it got out to a quick, significant lead against Glasgow early Wednesday morning; you can watch the race here (it's about 2:45 into the Wednesday coverage). The Tigers led by several lengths early and were able to conserve energy over the second half of the race for what they hope will be a long week of racing at Henley. The official margin of victory was 1 1/4 lengths for the Tigers, who were racing for the first time since earning silver at the 2018 IRA Championships.
Princeton will face the University of London on Thursday; London had a dominant win over Pembroke College and Clare, Cambridge early Wednesday. Thursday's race will be at 10:05 ET, 3:05 local time. You'll be able to watch Thursday's Henley competition here.
"It was good to get a win under our belt," head coach Marty Crotty said. "Tomorrow's race will be tough. This morning was clean and we were able to relax a bit when we got ahead."
You can watch the full race here.
Here is the finish from our Day 1 victory over Glasgow University. We row at 10:05 ET (3:05 GMT) Thursday! pic.twitter.com/0QuyWEVPX3
— Princeton Lights (@TigerLights) July 5, 2018
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Rowing - Lightweight
/ Men's Rowing - Lightweight
Princeton Athletics 2023-24 Highlights
Tuesday, June 04
Highlights from 2022 Gary Walters ’67 PVC Awards Banquet
Wednesday, June 22
Princeton Athletics 2021-22 Highlights
Monday, June 06
Thank You for Roaring Forward on TAGD 2021
Wednesday, December 01