The event was cancelled after this preview was completed.
Set on the iconic Henley stretch, which also hosts the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in late summer, the Henley Four and Eights Head draws elite crews from across the country.
The men’s band one eights category, though featuring a smaller field, is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested races. With Oxford Brookes, Leander and Marlow headlining the draw, these crews will push each other to the limit, ensuring thrilling racing.
Oxford Brookes University BC
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (OBUBC) has evolved into one of Europe’s premier university rowing programmes, consistently setting the standard for elite level university rowing. With a dominant men’s squad that has achieved international success, Brookes strives to become the best university rowing club globally.
For this event, Brookes has entered eight crews in total, with four racing in the top band. As expected, Brookes will be a dominant force in this head race, continuing their well-earned reputation for powerful, aggressive racing. Despite keeping a low profile so far this season, Brooke’s silence shouldn’t be mistaken for vulnerability; instead, they are likely to keep their cards close to their chest as they prepare to unleash their trademark intensity on the Henley course and all other events they plan to dominate this season.
Whenever Brookes appear in the draw, it’s expected that they will finish at the top of the pack. This event shouldn’t deviate from this standard. Winning this category would set their crews up nicely ahead of other high-profile events, such as their fixtures against Oxford and Cambridge in preparation for The Boat Race and, of course, the Head of the River Race.
Marlow Boat Club
Marlow Boat Club is another club with a rich history and a growing reputation in British rowing. Over the years, the club has endeavoured to produce strong crews. Their efforts came to fruition last regatta season when they won against Thames Rowing Club in the The Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
For this event, Marlow is putting forward two eights in the hopes of challenging the established powerhouses of Brookes and Leander. Having started off their season attending big-ticket events such as Head of the Charles River, Pair Head, and Quintin Head, their performance at these events alludes to an upward trajectory, making them a club not to underestimate this season.
The challenge of racing against high-calibre crews like Brookes should push them to deliver their best performance. While Brookes is expected to set the benchmark, Marlow can prove their strength by setting a competitive time. Even if a ‘podium’ finish is potentially out of reach, a robust execution of this race would be a significant achievement and a marker of their continued progress.
Leander Boat Club
Keeping on the theme of elite boat clubs, Leander continues its legacy as one of the most renowned rowing clubs with a long-standing tradition of supplying Team GB with top-tier rowers.
By focusing on training and sending athletes to GB trials in November and February rather than early-season racing, Leander have been selective with their race entries. Though their presence for this event is limited, with only one crew racing in band one, this crew is expected to be highly competitive.
Attending UBBC Head earlier this season, Leander performed as expected, securing victories in all races they entered, reinforcing their championship pedigree. With their championship eight’s winning time of 8:54.06 over a comparable course length, this suggests that Leander will produce a strong performance, if not better, this weekend.
Prediction
Truthfully, it’s hard to look past Brookes and Leander. The two have been duking it out at the summit of UK club rowing for the best part of a decade now and I don’t expect that to change in 2025. Turbulence has befallen Brookes in the past few months, with legal investigations still unresolved around their squad culture, but champions come out swinging. I expect Brookes to take the win here.
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