Morning Session (8:30am to 12:20pm)
Race 1, 08:30am – London v Mercantile, Australia, Britannia Challenge Cup
A cracker of a race to open day three. Mercantile dispatched their Antipodean rivals from Waiaru with ease whereas London had the closest race of the regatta so far squeezing out a one-foot win over Upper Thames. The times to the Barrier and Fawley in each race were almost identical.
Race 16, 10:00am – Marlow RC v Newport Aquatic Center, USA, Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
Marlow saw off Sir William Perkins’s School on Tuesday and now face the no.2 ranked crew in the USA. Newport are a Selected crew and got a bye in the first round. They will have their hands full with Marlow who have shown good speed this season. This could be closer than the rankings suggest.
Race 22, 10:35am – Marlow RC v Calgary RC, Canada, Wyfold Challenge Cup
Both crews looked extremely impressive in their wins on Wednesday posting identical times to the Barrier.
Race 25, 10:50am – Winter Park Crew, USA v St Catherine’s School, Australia, Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
This could be one of the races of the day; Winter Park are the SRAA champions and St Catherine’s are the Australian U19 champions. Whoever wins this one could go a long way at this year’s Regatta
Race 30, 11:20am – F.Pfeifer, Slovenia v O.Zeidler, Germany, The Diamond Challenge Sculls
The champion opens the defence of his title – Zeidler is the biggest name at this year’s Regatta and any race he is involved in is one to watch. Pfeifer will be a good test for the German; he has some solid international performances under his belt this season, and in match-racing anything can happen if you’re not careful.
Afternoon Session (2pm – 4:20pm)
Race 44, 2:15pm – RowAmerica Rye, USA v Lady Eleanor Holles School, Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
It’s going to be interesting to see how the US Champions perform on their Henley debut.
Race 48, 2:40pm – Cornell University, USA v Cambridge University, Prince Albert Challenge Cup
Big Red v the Light Blues should provide a good race.
Race 57, 3:35pm – Univ of London ‘A’ v Boston Univ USA, The Island Challenge Cup
Boston had a really tight race against their countrywomen from SMU on day two, coming out on top by just half a length. They now face the Selected UL crew who had a bye in the first round.
Race 58, 3:40pm – Team Espana, Spain v Leander Club, The Queen Mother Challenge Cup
Watching Open quads race will always be a highlight and this should be a good contest. Spain just missed out on qualifying for Paris and Leander are part of British Rowing’s “Project LA” Olympic development programme, and with plenty of home support this could be a cracker.
Race 62, 4:05pm – RC Zurich, Switzerland v Tideway Scullers’ School, The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup
The no.2 Swiss quad (who are a Selected crew and received a bye in the first round) up against the defending champions who opened their defence with a hard-fought victory over Sir William Perkins’ on day one.
Evening Session (5:30pm – 7:30pm)
Race 67, 5:35pm – University of London ‘A’ v ASR Nereus, Netherlands, Prince Albert Challenge Cup
Nereus got a bye through the first round, but they face UL’s top boat which should lead to a great contest
Race 73, 6:10pm – Shawnigan Lake School, Canada v Leander Club ‘A’, Princess Grace Challenge Cup
The Canadian senior women’s quad who just missed out on Olympic qualification (well, three of them) up against the home favourites who were beaten finalists at Henley Women’s Regatta last month
Race 77, 6:35pm – Edinburgh University ‘A’ v Oxford Brookes University ‘A’, The Prince Albert Challenge Cup
Edinburgh had a titanic battle against La Salle on Tuesday, emerging victorious by just ¾ of a length. They now face the might of Oxford Brookes ‘A’ looking to make it a hattrick of titles in this event
Race 82, 7:05pm – Braunschweig & Magdeburg, Germany v Hollandia Roeiclub, Netherlands, The Queen Mother Challenge Cup
The German quad upset the applecart earlier in the season by defeating their senior Olympic crew at the Poznan World Cup. The Dutch finished one place behind the Germans at that event so this should be a cracker of a race, possibly the race of the day.
Race 84, 7:15pm – Harvard University, USA v Oxford Brookes University ‘B’, The Prince Albert Challenge Cup
Harvard’s 2V lightweights up against a hugely powerful and experienced Brookes boat. The lightweights will need to pull out something special to upset the Brookes juggernaut.
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