“There is no joy in Mudville-Mighty Casey has struck out.”
After a terrific week of training we entered the Opening Round of Prince Albert Cup with high hopes for a deep run into the regatta. But it was not to be. The men rowed level with Edinburgh for the first half of the race but couldn’t match the Scots’ higher rate over the end. Mighty Casey has struck out.
Other crews with high expectations went out on day one as well: American crews from Virginia and Grand Valley both were knocked out and Newcastle was beaten by the Dutch. So it goes with racing and especially racing at Henley. While we were all disappointed, the progress we made in preparation was significant and will have an impact on how we race in seasons to come. And we have some terrific racing to watch over the course of the rest of the regatta. Time will ease the loss as will observing and learning from the great racing here. But for a bit yet, on this Fourth of July in Henley,
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out.