Reviews:
2:20- Newport Aquatic Center v Headington School
The first semi-final of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy was a transatlantic battle between Headington and Newport Aquatic, USA, who were fighting out for the honour of their countries. Having both placed second at their respective national championships, the race would not only aid one crew with a place in the finals, but also measure the quality of schoolgirl rowing in the opposing nations. It was a right tussle off the start to see who could poke their bows out towards the end of the island, both crews were going stroke for stroke at exceedingly high rates for a longer than usual, eager to emerge in the lead. Slowly but surely, Newport began to inch out in front of Headington to cross the barrier at just a canvas ahead, the slightly slower rate, working for them allowing them to glide efficiently ahead for the lead. However, in true Headington style, the British blue blades started to walk, reducing the lead down to just one foot by Fawley, triggering a slight panic in the American crew, who in response raised their rate, waning in energy. The charge from the Oxford crew kept coming and eventually they pulled ahead to claim their slight lead at Remenham and it was all over for Newport. The psychological effect the Headington charge had left them in the wake of the Empacher which did not look back. After getting through, it was Headington claiming seats in the American boat bow ball by bow ball before crossing the line two thirds of a length ahead.
2:40- RowAmerica Rye v Marin Rowing Association
In this all American semi-final, it was the National Champions and bronze medalists going head to head to prove their worth down the iconic Henley Royal course. It was the champions off the start, once again demonstrating their characteristic tactic of ‘get ahead, stay ahead’, and they maintained this 2 feet lead going past the island. They began to pull away by the Barrier, looking like they would be able to walk away to a solid victory, slowly but surely. Clinging on to the contact they had was Marin, who were pushing every stroke to claw back the lead they lost. Just approaching Remenham the wind picked up, throwing both crews off balance in a handful of strokes which the Marin crew reacted far better too, picking the boat back flat and pushing on with their late square. This movement through the wind allowed them to reclaim previously lost ground and come tantalisingly close to swapping positions pushing their bow up close to the clear water ahead of Rye. Yet, RowAmerica Rye were quick to respond, picking up their pace to counter this attack and pushing on into the cross-headwind to claim back their lead foot by foot. A last push put their bow over the line just a quarter of a length ahead of Marin.
Preview:
RowAmerica Rye v Headington School
This Final will be a head-to-head between American national champions and Henley Women’s Regatta Champions. Possibly the most unpredictable junior showdown of the 2024 regatta. With RowAmerica Rye having consistently displayed a hot start, pulling away from every crew before the End of the Island, their plan will be to wear Headington out before they can push back on them at the end of the race. However Headington shouldn’t be fazed by this as their race plan has been executed as being down at the start with a surge of watts in the middle to really lay down the pace and walk through their opposition. Therefore, I suggest that we are in for a RowAmerica Rye sprint off the start followed by a Headington hunt through the middle, necessitating a strong sprint to take the red box home. After seeing both these crews in action, I would have to back the home heroes of Headington to take the win after powering down the Americans off the start. This would be the first time a domestic crew has won the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, although they were victorious in the 2021 unnamed Junior Women’s Eights at the Covid-altered regatta.
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