Henley Royal Regatta 2023 – Friday Briefing, The Fawley Challenge Cup

Los Gatos, USA vs Marlow RC

From the word go, it would be Los Gatos who took the lead with Marlow facing some steering issues in a tough headwind. It may have been assumed that Los Gatos would maintain this impressive lead and that Marlow would struggle to close the gap. However, past the enclosures, Marlow gave the race their everything and made a gutsy gain on their opponents. A tight finish with steering issues, almost leading to a collision, resulted in Los Gatos taking the win.

Hinskey Sculling School ‘A’ v Sydney R.C. AUS 

Past the island, Sydney moved increasingly ahead of Hinskey and many would have assumed that this would be a lead sustained until the end. When Hinskey crept up on their opposition, Sydney were able to pull away again and maintain dominance over the race. Remarkably however, in a tight battle to the finish, Hinskey gritted their teeth through the pain and achieved a marginal win with Sydney allowing them to get too close to maintain their once unquestionable lead across the line.

Saturday Previews

Leander Club ‘A’ vs Windsor Boy’s School ‘A’

After battling it out for top spot of junior men’s quads all year, this race will be the deciding match as to who this year really belongs to. Windsor Boys took the win at NSR and Wallingford but at their most recent meet it was Leander who had one over. I expect this race to be a close one, arguably too difficult to call and promising to provide the creme de la creme of racing today.

Hinksey Sculling School vs Los Gatos, USA

In a home vs away showdown, it will be Los Gatos USA, taking on Hinskey Sculling School in the second semi-finals race of the day.  Hinksey continues to rise through the ranks proving themselves as arguably one of the best up-and-coming clubs on the junior circuit. Los Gatos have established their names on their home circuit as some of the top junior boys, with the reputation of an event like Henley Royal this is where their international reputation will be tested. I expect this race will fall into the hands of Los Gatos who throughout this regatta have shown what the internationals are here to do. 

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