The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup or ‘PoW’ is one of the blockbuster events at Henley Royal each year, with such a variety of crews competing from students to club rowers to world champions from across the globe. It’s also great to see composites come together featuring familiar names from years gone by although these are not the sort of crews which are likely to contend for the win.
Despite an obvious reduction in the number of international entries this year, at the top level, the quality is just as high as usual.
Craftsbury, USA
The only foreign crew in the event this year, Craftsbury have come all this way for one reason only, and that is to win. All four of these scullers placed in the top 8 in the USRowing Nationals this year, and the two-man Lucas Bellows came second in the single at the US Olympic Trials. A smattering of international experience and success at the IRA Championships across other members of the crew mean on paper I have no doubt that the foursome could go all the way.
Leander
It’s been hard to work out exactly who is in this crew, with some moving around between the Prince of Wales, Double Sculls, and Queen Mother crews, but from what we can tell the crew stands as it was initially entered with John Keating, James Cartwright, Oliver Costley and Victor Kleshnev. Kleshnev competed at World Cup III in the double this year and Costley and Cartwright competed at the U23 World Championships together in the double.
This is a young crew but all with plenty of experience behind them, they are probably one rung below the Americans in terms of individual speed but might have the magic and know-how to make it work on home waters.
Hartpury
Hartpury College & University BC have two crews entered this year, an impressive feat in itself from the club which hasn’t had a huge amount of success in this event in previous years. However, throughout this season the two boats have battled with the likes of Bath and Reading and looks like they are generally getting the better of those two. Reading haven’t dominated as they have in previous years, and Hartpury will be keen to take their spot as the premier club for sculling in the country.
Twickenham & Queen’s Belfast
This composite crew brings together athletes from across the country as an U23 development outfit. Nathan Hull, from Queen’s, has competed at U23 Europeans, Alex King placed fifth at BUCS Regatta this season, and Aidan Thomson won the B final. With three World Class Start athletes in this crew they certainly have the horsepower but only time will tell if that translates to boat speed. The Stewards’ obviously think so, having pre-qualified this crew ahead of some other strong crews.
I honestly have no idea how things will go in the early rounds, as so many of the crews are new or just haven’t raced much this season. The one thing I am sure of though, is that Leander and Craftsbury will be the finalists, and with only a tad less certainty that Craftsbury will come out on top.
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