June 26, 2000

HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England-- - The University of Virginia's first varsity eight has qualified for The Henley Prize competition on Saturday (July 1) at the Henley Royal Regatta. Qualifying for The Henley Prize competition was the highlight of a successful weekend of competition for the Cavaliers June 23-25.

UVa's first varsity eight qualified for The Henley Prize competition by winning its qualifying race on June 23. Virginia finished with a time of 7:07 followed by the Thames Rowing Club (7:16), the Avon County Rowing Club/Worcester Rowing Club (7:22) and the Molesey Boat Club (7:26). The top four boats in the eight-boat race qualified to advance to the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinals in The Henley Prize competition are scheduled for Saturday morning (July 1). The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday afternoon and the finals for Sunday afternoon (July 2). Virginia competes against the University of Washington in the quarterfinals. Washington finished second and Virginia finished third behind Brown in the grand final of the first varsity eight at this year's NCAA Championships.

The Henley Prize is a new event for women's eights at the Henley Royal Regatta. The Henley Royal Regatta was established in 1839 and this is the 151st running of the competition.

The Virginia rowers, who left for England on June 19, also won competitions in the four and eight at the Readingtown Regatta on June 24 and the Wallingford Regatta on June 25.

Virginia finished third in all three grand finals - first varsity eight, second varsity eight and varsity four - to finish third in the team competition at the 2000 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. The Cavaliers have finished in the top four in the team competition at each of the four NCAA Women's Rowing Championships. UVa finished fourth in 1997, third in 1998 and second last year.