Stanford Athletics

HENLEY-ON-THAMES, U.K. – The Stanford women's rowing team and Molsey Boat Club offered plenty of fireworks on the Fourth of July as they put on a show in the Princess Grace Challenge Cup semifinals.

The two crews were back-and-forth for the entire race and provided the thousands of spectators with one of the more thrilling races of the five-day regatta so far.

Stanford had a good start and used some excellent steering by senior Nancy Miles to open up a lead by half a boat length as the two crews approached Temple Island.

As the two boats matched each other stroke for stroke, the crowd's intensity increased trying to provide any extra edge. Molesey got into a good rhythm and pulled slightly ahead at the barrier, which was just as the two crews entered the second quarter of the race.

Molsey got out to a half length lead and right as they did Stanford made a move to draw even once again before the halfway mark.

When the two crews approached Remenham Farm, a place on the course where crews from throughout the U.K. gather to cheer each other on, Molesey was expected to get a big lift, but the Cardinal matched them every step of the way.

Molesey eventually pulled ahead by two seats at the regatta enclosure and then to 3/4 boat length by the steward's enclosure. Stanford began to close the gap, but the move came in the final 10 strokes and they ran out of space as Molesey crossed the finish line first with a time of 7:58. The final margin of victory was 2/3 boat length.

As Stanford docked its boat to close out the Henley experience, seniors Alix Chrumka and Nancy Miles realized the end of their careers as Cardinal rowers. Then behind the scenes, Stanford and Molesey showed true sportsmanship as they searched each other out in the boat tent and offered congratulations on a truly terrific race.

Molesey advanced to the finals while Stanford saw its racing at the Henley Royal Regatta come to an end.