The Morning Session
Conditions: bright, light breeze
Orca Wrong Side of a Corker
Race 1: A.U.S.R. Orca, the Netherlands v Cambridge University
An exhilarating race marked the start of day two of Henley Royal Regatta. A.U.S.R. Orca and Cambridge University came together in the first race of The Prince Albert Challenge Cup, in a classic display of the perils of burning bright off the start. A.U.S.R. Orca led Cambridge University by a length at the Barrier. As Remenham approached, A.U.S.R. Orca’s early lead began to turn on them, and Cambridge University stole back to take a canvas lead at the Mile Post. Demonstrating the value of a well-executed race plan, Cambridge made their way through to tomorrow’s racing as a reminder that the final 112m of the Henley Royal Regatta course can make all the difference.
Canta-bridge Over Troubled Waters
Race 3: Cantabrigian R.C. v Christiania R.K., Norway
There was a surprising turn of events in the first of the three inaugural women's quadruple sculls events, The Danesfield Challenge Cup. Christiania R.K. came in as the favourites, a selected crew with a blistering season on the Norwegian domestic scene, but were overturned by Cantabrigian Rowing Club almost immediately. With a third of a length at the ¼ mile post, and a full length at the barrier, Cantabrigian created history as the first winner of a Club women’s quads race at Henley Royal Regatta. WhilstChristiania R.K. tried to muster a response in the middle of the course, Cantabrigian won by 4 lengths over the selected crew.
Domestic dominance in the Wargrave
Race 8: Sydney Rowing Club, Australia v 96 Molesey Boat Club 'C'
The ‘row-through’ has exemplified this morning’s racing. Sydney Rowing Club looked set to build on an early advantage in a heat of The Wargrave Challenge Cup, taking the lead off the start. But Molesey Boat Club ‘C’ produced what will probably be one of the standout moves of the day, surging through them and opening up clear water by Remenham. Despite receiving a steering warning as they stretched their advantage, Molesey remained in control to win by 1 ¼ lengths. It was another statement from a remarkably deep squad: come race 14 of the morning, Molesey ‘A’ eased to victory over Lea Rowing Club by five lengths, rating just 20 strokes per minute through the finish.
The Afternoon Session
Conditions: OVERCAST, BUILDING BREEZE
Headington Ahead
Race 51: Headington School v Henley Rowing Club
The Junior crews at Henley Royal Regatta should never be underestimated; they bring renowned national reputations and many will take spots on collegiate rowing programmes come autumn. This is the case for both Headington School and Henley Rowing Club in this round of The Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy. Third and fourth-place finishes respectively at the recent National Schools’ Regatta left the outcome of this race uncertain, but as the side-by-side began, it became clear that Headington School, current holders of this trophy, were in the driving seat. They accumulated a three-length lead by Fawley and crossed the line comfortably clear of Henley Rowing Club.
Dutch Dynamos
Race 52: Sydney University, Australia v A.S.R. Nereus 'A', the Netherlands, and Race 57: A.S.R. Nereus 'B', the Netherlands v Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
The Dutch contingent from A.S.R Nereus guaranteed themselves a place in the quarter-finals of The Temple Challenge Cup, as both their ‘A’ and ‘B’ crews progressed to set up an all-Nereus showdown tomorrow. The ‘A’ crew were impressive in dispatching Sydney University, Australia by 3¼ lengths, pulling away after the Island despite the Australians staying in touch early on. Half an hour later, the ‘B’ crew survived a slightly sterner test against MIT. Leading throughout, they held 1 length at the Barrier, before MIT reduced the margin to ½ length by the Mile. Nereus ‘B’ responded when it mattered most, holding on to win by 3/4 length and can now look forward to a Thursday quarter-final against their clubmates.
Fine Margins
Race 64: London Rowing Club 'B' v 1 K.R.Z.V. De Maas, the Netherlands
London Rowing Club ‘B’ came up against K.R.Z.V. De Maas, the Netherlands in The Thames Challenge Cup in what became an enduring game of cat and mouse up the Henley Royal Regatta course this afternoon. At the end of the Island, both crews were rating 44 and separated by just 2ft. Whilst they settled in rate, London Rowing Club’s efforts to overtake were denied by K.R.Z.V De Maas, who edged away to widen the distance as both crews began their surge towards the Enclosures. By the mile ⅛ , De Maas were reeled in to a just ½ length lead. As the finish line closed in, it was the Dutch who found new speed, escalating to the line and claiming a ⅔ of a length win over the Tideway club.
The Evening Session
Conditions: Sunny, cross-headwind
Tulip triumphs shattered
Race 67: Wesleyan University, USA v G.S.R. Aegir, the Netherlands
G.S.R. Aegir, the Netherlands, have become a familiar face on the Henley Royal Regatta rosters over the years. They first appeared in 2001, and have raced every year since 2022. In this race Wesleyan University, USA, showed that experience isn’t the defining consideration at this Regatta, as they bested the Dutch in The Temple Challenge Cup. With only a ½ length lead at both Remenham Farm and the Hole in the Wall, Wesleyan held their hand in the fire the longest and won by just ⅔ of a length. The question is: will they have enough left in their legs for when they race their sequential Dutch opponents, D.S.R.V. Laga ‘A’?
Purple Reign
Race 79: Imperial College London v University of London
Today marked the first races for The Island Challenge Cup for Student women’s eights. With high quality racing across the day in this competition, the University of London added to that in style during their race against Imperial College London. Building on what has been a fantastic summer racing season for Antony Smith’s women - who won the Championship women’s eight event at the British University College Sport (BUCS) Regatta for the first time since 2018 - this crew are quickly becoming the club’s most successful women’s crew in close to a decade. Holding 1 ¼ lengths over Imperial College by Remenham, their rowing provided a timely reminder of the calibre of British student racing. Their unit was steered to victory in this heat by former Headington School cox, Sophie Wrightson, a five-time Henley Royal Regatta competitor and U19 world champion in 2023.
SHIPLAKE RATTLED?
Race 85: Westminster School v Shiplake College
As the second day of Henley Royal Regatta drew to a close, crews were anything but drowsy. Meeting in the second set of heats for The Prince Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Westminster School came in as underdogs against 2025 winners Shiplake College. The two titans of schoolboy rowing burst off the startline, with Westminster jumping out to an early ¾ length lead and just four seconds off the record at the Barrier. Westminster remained in charge through to the Fawley marker, but Shiplake were primed to make a move. Led by former Henley Royal Regatta winner and U19 World Champion Luca Hunt-Davis in the stroke seat, the contest quickly became gladiatorial in dynamic, as Shiplake drew level with Westminster under the fading glare of an evening sun. By the Mile Post, Shiplake had edged ahead to a ⅔ length lead, leaving Westminster with little water to stage a comeback. Decisive and mature, Shiplake retained that lead through to the Finish, setting up a Friday showdown with St Edward’s School.
