Fawley Challenge Cup
Windsor Boys’ School v. Marlow Rowing Club
It was green and gold from the start, with Windsor boys firing away into a third of a length lead by the End of the Island, leaving Marlow in their wake. They showcased their prowess and reminded everyone once again why they are the crew to beat in this event, with their graceful transition from the start into their true race pace all while maintaining their tidy technique. However, it was not an easy ride for Windsor; not once did they break clear water from Marlow, who were set just half a length back. Marlow worked Windsor Boys’ hard with surges of power at the Barrier and the three-quater mile marker, claiming back some lost water and looking very intimidating towards Windsor Boys’ unbeaten streak in this season. Like every good race, steering came into play. Marlow were warned at the Barrier when making their move, after coming awfully close to walking straight into Windsor Boys’ blades, being very much in the centre of the course. They returned to their station, taking Windsor Boys’ with them, possibly distracted by the drifting of the red crew, but subsequently returned to their station. Ultimately, the race was decided going past the Progress Board. Marlow went for their final send and drifted straight across into Windsor’s water resulting in a huge correction, combined with the tiring of the crew over the extra 112 metres, that dropped them a full length and a half back on the dominant Windsor crew. Marlow surpassed all expectations by holding on to the national champions, but it was Windsor who claimed the Fawley Challenge Cup after a dominant campaign this year.
Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
Headington School v. RowAmerica Rye, USA
This transatlantic tussle was a true joy to watch. Henley Women’s Regatta victors, Headington, were hoping to bring the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy back to Oxford after their win in 2021, the event’s inaugural year. On the other hand, USRowing Youth National Championship victors, RowAmerica Rye, have had an exceptional debut Henley campaign all week, so we knew coming in that they would be determined to keep this Trophy in the USA. Both crews exploded out of the stake boats with the weight of their nations resting on their shoulders. They showed us exactly why they made it to today’s final, and it was Ryan Demaine’s girls from Headington who took an early lead by the End of the Island, which extended to half a length by the quarter-mile marker, an outcome that many predictors – us included – did not foresee. Rye made a decisive move back to close the gap, but the Brits lengthened out further still, taking a length beyond the Fawley. Approaching the Enclosures, the deafening noise from the blue blazer-donned Headington alumnae clearly gave their athletes an extra spur of confidence. Headington’s final sprint past the Progress Board was quite special to witness, as the realisation of victory was plastered across their faces, and rightly so. After being dropped down into bronze at the National Schools’ Regatta, this outstanding unit peaked at just the right time, rising to the very top of schoolgirl rowing once more.
Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup
Shiplake College v St Paul’s School
Record holders St Paul’s School went into this race knowing it was theirs to lose. Having won both the National Schools’ title and the Schools’ Head of the River and the Head of the Charles this season, a victory in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup would mean achieving the ‘quadruple’ for the second time in school history. Shiplake, however, did not let this phase them. The sun appeared in time for the start of the race, with both crews accelerating to the end of the island bowball-to-bowball, emerging from the island’s shelter rating 43. Shiplake were ferocious, it was clear they intended to rattle St Paul’s. As both crews settled into their base paces, the London boys slowly slipped into a three-quarter lead by the barrier, comfortable in their relentless Bobby Thatcher-style-stride, which soon turned into clear water by Fawley. The boats remained in an unmoving dogfight until the enclosures, where Shiplake saw an early wind, and an effective one at that, taking a few seats in the process. However, it was not enough to overhaul the giants from Paul’s, who crossed the line with a three-quarter victory margin. A cry of ‘That’s all four’ was heard in the press box as the 2024 lineup solidified their place in the school history books.
Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup
Wycliffe ‘A’ v. Marlow R.C
The absolute dominators of the season came home to claim their red boxes in true style. Wycliffe ‘A’ were hot off the start, blazing out the blocks taking a seat a stroke on the Marlow crew who were putting up an almighty fight against the purple blades striking away from them. By the End of the Island, the result was clear with Wycliffe looking more comfortable and settled in their rhythm and Marlow just struggling to make the step up that they needed to reign the national champions back in. Wycliffe started to lengthen out and walked away from their opposition, gaining distance every stroke pulling a length of clear water. However Marlow were giving it everything to stick with this top crew looking clean and tidy in their rhythm, sculling beautifully and giving themselves and their club great representation. This race was a testimony to the hours put in by the Wycliffe rowers this year to prove just how good a junior quad can be, their revenge settled on the stolen win last year. Ending the race in drama, Marlow had to be stopped early due to a wayward pleasure boat, however, Wycliffe had already crossed the line. In a terrific end to the season, Wycliffe claimed the coveted Triple in a four length lead.
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