- 85 races today
- 14 events racing today
- 8 races in Thames, Temple, Wyfold, PE, Fawley, Prince of Wales, Britannia, Jubilee [16 boat stage for those events]
- Diamonds start today – four boats starting with Seb Devereux, under 21 rower who has a rowover due to opposition pulling out; interesting to see how he uses that advantage.
- Start of two new women’s events – the Wargrave [club event] and the Island [student event]
- Wargrave starts at 1045 [race 24], so that’s a landmark first ever race
- Island starts at 1100 [race 26]
- PE very competitive this year because only 24 entries and therefore they don’t come unless they think they have a chance – has been feisty early on
Olympians here today:
- Race 21 [Stonor] Jess Eddie and Katie Greves - Katie Greves got married on Sunday – moved her wedding from Saturday to Chris Boddy - Sir William Perkins coach; also their daughter’s first birthday on Tuesday.
Races to Watch
- Race 15 – Upper Thames B is a vets crew, average age 50, oldest rower Peter Jacobs is 59; won at Henley vets a few weeks ago and came through qualifiers; check programme for how many times they have rowed before. Up against Molesey A who are strong
- Race 24 [Island] historic race. Tideway Scullers B v Thames C
- Race 31 [PE] Reading versus Eton College, both look really strong
- Race 33 [Temple] chance of the draw – Tideway B v Tideway A
- Race 41 [Visitors’] – Oxford Brookes v TBC Racing USA; TBC Racing are University of Washington Athletes who can’t enter a club event so are racing in the Visitors’
- Race 57 [Prince of Wales] – Craftsbury Green Racing USA. One of their crew Mark Couwenhoven: first time he has ever left the States; racing Hinksey/Exeter who will be strong
- Race 66 [PE] – St Joseph’s [US national champions] one of very few crews from USA; don’t think they would have travelled if they weren’t strong so expecting good performance; meeting Shiplake who are also going well
- Race 74 [Wyfold] chance of the draw – Thames A v Thames B
Sarah Winckless is a Henley Race Umpire, Steward and commentator and an Olympic medallist
