HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England – The Yale women's crew team opened racing at the Henley Royal Regatta on Wednesday, following a qualifying race on Saturday, with the B crew edged by Newcastle University 'A' in their opening-round race in the Island Challenge Cup on the Henley course.
 
Newcastle University 'A' crossed the line in 7:18 to hold off the Bulldogs and secure the win by three-quarters of a length.
 
"Our Yale B entry is a combination of our fours mix and third-varsity athletes, and they have had a good run here at Henley," said Will Porter, the Friends of YWC Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "They have raced four times down the track and have gained great racing experience."
 
"Today they were slow off the mark but raced hard the rest of the way," Porter added. "With only one senior in the boat they will all return to Yale a step further along in their development."
 
The Bulldogs return to action at Henley on Thursday, July 2, where the A entry for the Island Challenge Cup will face Cambridge University 'B', with the start time to be determined.