Henley Royal Regatta – Student and Junior Review of Racing

Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup Review 

Lining up on the blocks, you could see the tension between these two highly esteemed crews building ahead of the battle that was about to occur. Straight off the start, Radley used their advantage of the better water to edge ahead slightly. As they moved out of the island, St Paul’s began to lengthen and began edging away from Radley through the Barrier. Both crews settled onto strong striding rhythms, but St Paul’s managed to gain more cover by conserving more momentum in the hull. Through the middle part of the race, St Paul’s began to take more seats up on Radley. Through the enclosures, Radley began to creep back on St Paul’s as both crews upped their rates for their final sprint. It was all or nothing through Stewards’, but it looked like St Paul’s just managed to hold the charge of Radley enough to take the victory by 1/3rd of a length across the finish line. Arguably the race of the day.

Words by Phoebe Horan

Fawley Challenge Cup Review 

This single-school final offered a relaxed start to the day, with a straightforward chain of events leading to Windsor Boys’ ‘A’ taking the win with an ‘easily’ verdict. Despite their clear lead off a quick start, the ‘A’ crew continually increased their rate as they approached the finish, pushing to 41 as they blazed through. Their ‘B’ crew remained calm and steady throughout the race, keeping a low rate despite the growing distance between them and their schoolmates. Although perhaps not the most exciting matchup, it is a credit to the school for both of their crews to get this far. 

Words by Minty Cullinane

Prince Philip Challenge Trophy Review 

I was lucky enough to follow this race in the launch, and as they started, I could feel the anxiety buzzing around the rowers’ heads and – overarchingly– the steely determination written on all their faces. St Catherine’s took a slight early lead over Winter Park, who responded with an aggressive sprint around Remenham. This resulted in an intensely competitive counter-sprint down the rest of the course. However, St Catherine’s remained at a slightly lower rate than Winter Park and were able to smoothly draw back away from them, though the finish remained relatively close with only 2/3 of a length between the crews. This being the inaugural year of this event with its new title and the second year of the JW8+ event at HRR, these international crews have set an excellent standard for the years to come.

Words by Minty Cullinane

Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Review

From the go both crews attacked the race off the start both crews setting aggressive rhythms. Off the end of the Island Redwood began to extend their lead, choosing to settle onto a lower rate than their Berks counterparts. Both crews appeared to be testing their limits with steering as they battled for the fastest water, with both crews being warned for their lines. At the barrier Redwood continued to edge ahead, managing to push their cover slightly more each stroke with a more relaxed rhythm, but Claire’s Court continued to fight to maintain contact. There was still much to play for coming past Remenham Club with Claire’s Court beginning to mount a charge with a sustained increase in rate. Approaching the start of enclosures Claire’s Court’s push allowed them to gradually take seats and move through from the back if the field climaxing in a monumental push. This sustained effort led them across the finish line and walk away with a history-making first win for the club.

Words by Phoebe Horan

Prince Albert Challenge Cup Review

Both crews had a clean start, stroking 36 through the island where the American crew drew out a marginal lead. At the 1/4 mile marker the Berkeley crew were leading by 1/2 a length, despite slightly underrating their competition. By the barrier they had 1 length over Brookes’, but this would not last. From the 3/4 mile marker the Brookes’ crew began to reel in the American team, taking 2/3 of a length up to Fawley, and then reducing their lead to only a canvas by the 3/4 mile point. Coming up to the Remenham club the Brookes’ men took the lead, which they then extended to 3/4 of a length by the time they were past the Remenham club. By the mile signal, Brookes’ had both reduced the rate and extended their lead to 1 and 1/4 lengths, continuing away from the Berkeley crew. By the progress board, both crews were once again rating equally high at 38, but there was nothing the crew from Berkeley could do to stop the Brookes’ men taking a demonstrative victory of 1 length.

Island Challenge Cup Review

Both crews in this Island final had an aggressive start, still neck and neck by the end of the island and rating at 46. By the 1/4 mile signal Brown had edged out a lead of 1/4 of a length, building to 3/4 of a length by the Barrier. The Yale girls dropped their stroke rate past Remenham farm, but this did little to help them come back on Brown. By Fawley the Brown crew had a lead of 1 length which they maintained throughout this middle part of the race. On the approach to the enclosures Brown had extended their lead to 1 and 1/2 lengths, up to 1 and 3/4s by the progress board. Despite a valiant effort from the Yale girls, the Brown crew came across the line ahead by 1 and 3/4 lengths. Not as close as we were expecting, but the Americans have not disappointed in this Island Challenge Cup. Adding to their Henley Women’s victory only a few weeks ago, the crew from Brown University showed skill and dominance, taking home both trophies this year.

Words by Amelie Sartain

Temple Challenge Cup Review

Both crews had a strong start, with the Washington crew taking a canvas by the end of the island. By the 1/4 mile marker the Oxford Brookes’ crew had reduced this lead to 1/3 of a length, down to only a few feet by the Barrier. At the 1/2 mile signal, Oxford Brookes’ took the lead by 1/3 of a length and from here on out rowed away from the Washington crew. By Fawley the lead was 3/4 of a length, up to 2 lengths by Remenham rowing club. By the time the Oxford Brookes’ crew reached the mile marker they held 3 lengths over Washington, extending to 4 lengths as they approached the progress board. The Oxford Brookes’ crew came over the line in a time of 6 minutes and 10 seconds, leading the Washington boat by 4 and 1/2 lengths over the line. The Temple Cup was certainly a competitive event this year, but the Brookes’ crew really showed their dominance across the course of the week, finishing in style well clear of the next best crew.

Words by Amelie Sartain

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