Bexhill rowers make splash at Henley Regatta

BEXHILL rowers pitted their wits against the cream of the world's crews at an event some say is bigger than the Olympics.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Jul 2002, 10:51 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 19:40 BST

The senior four of Mark and Matt Mitchell, Gus Gumbrell, Paul Mercer and cox Rebecca Dawes were among the 32 crews to qualify for the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

They were the first crew from Bexhill Amateur Rowing Club to race at the world renowned event.

To reach the main competition Bexhill had to take on 73 national and international club crews including Cambridge University, Durham University and the USA.

Bexhill were finally beaten by eventual winners Harvard University B by seven seconds in the first round of the main event.

Matt Mitchell said: "It was a very tough draw but we had a blinding row - in fact we were faster than our qualifying time by four or five seconds."

Bexhill host their annual regatta on Sunday from 12 noon. Best vantage point is by the De La Warr Pavilion.

Bexhill USA