HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England – American crews got off to a strong start in the opening round of the Henley Royal Regatta on Wednesday.

The college crew from the University of California easily defeated England’s University of Warwick in the opening round of the Temple Cup for student eights, and Colby College of Waterville held off repeated challenges from Isis of Oxford University. Cornell defeated University College of Dublin, Ireland, by 13/4 lengths while Connecticut-based Trinity College easily beat the University of the West of England.

Yale defeated its English opposition from the University of Bristol, cruising to a 23/4-length win to advance to the second round.