Finals day at Henley is special, no matter what your standpoint, be it spectator or athlete. This was a finals day that yielded three fine junior races, with 3 worthy winners.
The first junior event of the day was the Fawley Challenge Cup between two local clubs, Leander Club ‘A’ and Henley RC ‘A’ This race was one that was was evenly matched on paper, and produced a decent race. Henley struggled out of the start, and Leander seized control early. The lead they established allowed them to take a stranglehold on the race. Leander had the more lively rhythm, and steered a much better course. Leander took the win by 1 length, in a race that will leave Henley with a number of ‘what ifs?’ Either way, the Fawley is head
The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup final was a mouthwatering contest between Scotch College and Eton. After both crews went within a second of each other yesterday, the stage was set for a Henley classic. The two crews were level coming out of the Island, and from there Eton found a bulletproof rhythm, that seemed far slicker and less physical than that of Scotch. This rhythm told over the length of the course, and Eton drew away to take a 1.25 length win over the much lauded Antipodean crew. This win was Eton’s 4th win in 10 years and will be one of their best.
The final race of the day was the final of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. After the races yesterday, it was clear from the oustet that this was a race with the potential to be one of the races of the regatta. This race was one that Latymer dominated from the outset, and with the aid of some faily wayward steering from Headington, they took a commanding win to claim the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup.
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