Booms in the Thames. Pimms on the bank. A small Oxfordshire town swamped with athletes from across the globe. Henley Royal Regatta is upon us again, and with it comes the panache, decadence and furious competition that defines it as one of the foremost sporting events in the world. HUDSON will once again be at the forefront of supporting the top crews at this year’s regatta, and Junior Rowing News thought it’d be best to highlight a few of the junior names racing in a HUDSON SHARK this week…
Eton College
One of the most renowned names in rowing, Eton College are the current holders of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. They train at Dorney Lake, made famous by hosting the rowing at the London 2012 Olympics. This will also be coach Alex Henshilwood’s last race, having guided the boat club to two PE titles in three years. This year’s crop are an excellent unit, with 3 world medalists from last year’s Junior World Championships. They won the championship coxless fours at the National Schools’ Regatta and the eight were silver medallists behind St Paul’s in Championship Eights. Undoubtedly one of the home favourites and a particularly endearing narrative to match.
Scotch College
The boys from Australia sent the Twittersphere into meltdown over the weekend, as they posted a 5:40 at the Holland Beker regatta. It was a fast course, but that’s a seriously fast time for a junior crew and bodes well ahead of their assault on the PE this week. They row and train out of Melbourne and were winners at the 2017 Rowing Victoria State Championships and Schoolboy Head of the River. They’re also National Champions in the Schoolboy Eight, so come to Henley with considerable pedigree.
Montclair High School
Winners at the Stotesbury Cup and Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships, this could be the fastest junior American crew to make the trip for some time. Coached by former GB rower Gerry Michalitsianos (Michaels), they row in New Jersey on the Passaic River and will have two oarsmen compete at the US junior selection camp.
I think you should mention Jeremy’s surname, Michalitsianos, with Michaels in brackets?
Gonzaga College High School
A regular at Henley Royal Regatta, this crew often make an impact on the event with their aggressive style and rugged racing pattern. They compete on the Anacostia river in Washington DC, and last competed at Henley in 2015, losing out to Westminster in the semi-finals. They were fourth at the US Youth National Championships and have won the Stotesbury Cup five times in the past six years albeit came second to Montclair this year.
With a fiercely competitive draw, this year’s Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup promises to deliver in all departments. HUDSON will be supporting their athletes & coaches every step of the way, and are available on-site throughout the week.
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