Curlew so gr-eight!

9:32am Tuesday 29th June 2004

Curlew women rowers, fresh from superb victories at Poplar and Metropolitan Regattas in May, achieved their best ever result at Women's Henley .

They beat the much-fancied Americans, Boston Masters, to reach the semi-finals, when they were beaten a boat-length by favourites Vesta, who went on to win the event.

This performance marks another milestone for the women with the high-achieving Greenwich-based Curlew Rowing Club.

"It was a stunning success for a club as small as Curlew," said women's captain, Jill Bister.

Curlew women's eight, coached by Ray Cassidy and coxed by Rick Geer, comprised: Annette Keith, Lisa Maher, Valerie Keith, Kendra Zinc, Sarah Bird, Jill Bister, Vicky Stone and Emma Giles.

Women's Henley is the ladies' equivalent to Henley Royal Regatta, the most prestigious and hotly-contested events on the domestic rowing calendar.

Curlew Club spokesman, Ross Furlong, said: "The race for the senior eights' category is over 1,500 metres and contested for the GP Jeffries Cup.

"It is an open event for senior women's crews. There were 10 entries this year, with seven from American clubs and the others from the UK.

"It was held over three days on a knockout basis, with only heat winners advancing.

"The next regatta for the women will be at the Kingston Regatta on July 10 and 11."

Today it will be the turn of Curlew's men, who have two eights racing in the Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regetta.