The Morning Session
Conditions: Sunny, calm, high cloud
‘A’ for Almost
Race 3: The Visitors’ Challenge Cup, Leander Club 'A' v Leander Club 'B'
Having seen several intra-club showdowns on day 3 of Henley Royal Regatta, the first quarter-final of The Visitors’ Challenge Cup brought the vindication that every lower crew had chased. Keen to make an impression, Leander Club ‘B’ stormed out of the start with a canvas lead at the Island and a ¼ length lead by The Barrier. By Fawley, they had extended to ½ length over Leander Club ‘A’, and at the 1 ⅛ Mile, the lead had narrowed to just ¼ length, with Leander ‘A’ upping their rate and trying to strike back, but to no avail. Overlapping the whole way up the course, this was a superb race, and whilst the ‘A’ crew may return to the Pink Palace wondering what would have happened with just a few more metres of track, it was Leander ‘B’ who crossed the line elated, ahead by just a canvas.
Close Quarters
Race 28: The Island Challenge Cup, G.S.R. Aegir, the Netherlands v Durham University 'A'
Palatinate power was on display for all to see in this contest, as Durham University ‘A’ won their quarter-final for The Island Challenge Cup against G.S.R. Aegir in style. The British crew inched ahead in the first stages of the race, finally edging out to ⅔ of a length at the Barrier, but G.S.R. Aegir never let them settle, with both crews rating at 36 or above for the entire race. Durham maintained their lead until the Mile, where G.S.R. Aegir pressed them to just ½ length. The Dutch were relentless in their attacks, but Durham ‘A’ held out to set up a semi-final showdown with the University of Washington.
Schoolboys Surge
Race 18: The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Shiplake College v St. Edward's School
One of the most remarkable races this morning came in a quarter-final of The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, between current title-holders Shiplake College and 2023 winners St. Edward's School. Only 1.1 seconds apart in this year’s National Schools’ Regatta time trial, both crews were desperate not to lose. They were level off the start and through the Barrier, but by the Fawley, the psychological battle seemed to break Shiplake’s speed. Whilst both crews continued to rate at 37, St. Edward’s began to extend and take control, with a ¾ length obtained by the ¾ Mile mark. Shiplake put in one final charge, but it was too little, too late, and St Edward’s surged to the line to win by a canvas.
The Afternoon Session
Conditions: Bright and breezy
Dazzling Debut for The Princess of Wales Challenge Trophy
Race 49: The Princess of Wales Challenge Trophy, Leander Club & Hartpury University v A.S.R. Nereus, the Netherlands
In a day of spectacular races, Leander Club & Hartpury and A.S.R. Nereus debuted The Princess of Wales Challenge Trophy for Intermediate Women’s Quadruple Sculls in sparkling fashion. A.S.R. Nereus were keen to claim the first-ever heat in this new event, sculling out of the blocks at an astonishing 47. Leander Club & Hartpury University chose to attack the same goal more calmly, with a lower rate of 35. This was clearly the early tactic to take, given the Leander Club composite were ahead until the Mile. They fluttered between a lead of ½ to 1 length, with A.S.R. Nereus pushing them - still rating highly at 38 - the whole way up the course. The tables turned briefly in A.S.R. Nereus’ favour, when they took a three-foot lead, but they emptied the tank too early and Leander Club & Hartpury University drew back level at the 1 ⅛ mile, taking that coveted inaugural win by a mere canvas. With three more quarter-finals across the afternoon, this was a superb way to set the standard for a long anticipated addition to the Henley Royal Regatta’s roster of women’s events.
BULLDOG BEATS HIPPO
Race 50: The Bridge Challenge Plate, Leander Club v Yale University, USA
Whilst The Bridge Challenge Plate is only in its second year, setting a record on the iconic Henley Royal Regatta course is not to be underestimated. A transatlantic matchup between Leander Club and Yale University saw the course record beaten by five seconds. The crews matched rate for most of their quarter-final, but Yale had more press through the footplate, inching further and further away to a three-foot lead at Barrier, stretching this to ½ length at Fawley. The crews kept pedal to the metal, and Yale maintained that ½ length until the Enclosures. Leander tried to stage one more charge, forcing the Bulldogs into the 40s, but the crew from the USA eventually took the win by a length, overturning the record set by Leander Club yesterday.
Portuguese Patience
Race 60: The Double Sculls Challenge Cup, P.L.V. Rodrigues & T.A. Neves, Portugal v J.M. Cartwright & J.O. Gare
Yet another comeback victory saw P.L.V. Rodrigues & T.A. Neves, Portugal, move into the semi-finals of The Double Sculls Challenge Cup in a race they timed to perfection. Leander Club’s J.M. Cartwright & J.O. Gare burned bright off the start, leading by ½ length at the Island and extending their advantage to a length at the Barrier. They could never quite shake their opponents, though, and the Portuguese pair steadily chipped away at the margin, reducing it to ½ length by the Mile before pushing through their Leander competitors and moving ahead at the 1 ⅛ Mile. With both crews rating 35–37 strokes per minute throughout, it was composure and trust rather than initial speed that proved decisive, and J.M. Cartwright & J.O. Gare had no answer when P.L.V. Rodrigues & T.A. Neves pulled clear to win by 1¼ lengths.
