Orielensis Aysha Strachan Wins Copas Cup at Henley Women’s Regatta

Aysha learned to row at Oriel when then-captains Lara Bonney and Robbie Boswell noticed she was quite tall and called her over to their stand at the Freshers Fair in the Hall. Winning the Torpids Headship and bumping every day of Summer Eights that year fuelled her love of the sport and she continues to support College rowing in her role as Events and Regalia Officer of the Tortoise Club. 

Aysha sat in the 2 seat of the bow-rigged Thames Aspirational A boat. The crew came together on a camp in Cerlac, Spain. After serious success at the Wallingford Regatta, where her boat won 3rd place in the Championship category and out-performed all other aspirational boats, her crew went on to secure two A finals at the Metropolitan Regatta. After a relatively easy progression through to the finals of Henley Women’s Regatta, Thames Rowing Club faced fierce competition from neighbouring rivals on the Putney embankment, Vesta, in the final.

You can watch the final here at the timestamp 6:29:00.

Results:

Time Trial: Fastest Time Trial to qualify.

Round 1: Twickenham Rowing Club. Verdict: Easily

Quarter Final: Putney Town Rowing Club. Verdict: 5 Lengths

Semi Final: London Rowing Club. Verdict: 2 Lengths

Final: Vesta Rowing Club. Verdict: 3/4 Length

Thames Aspirational A Crew:

Coaches: Thomas Mapp, Adam Berry

Cox: H Taylor

Stroke: G Haynes

7: K Mason

6: E Caroe

5: A Pape

4: L Colthurst

3: C Bainbridge

2: A Strachan

Bow: E Feerick

Aysha encourages anyone who is enthusiastic about taking their rowing to the next level after college rowing to give club rowing a try. Competing for Thames B in the Wargrave Challenge Cup for Club Eights at Henley Royal Regatta, Aysha looks forward to seeing friends of Oriel College Boat Club at the Tortoise Club Picnic at Lion Meadows on Saturday 2nd July at lunchtime (car park spaces: J17&19).