Morning Briefing with Moe Sbihi – Thursday 3 July, 2025
All you need to know about the racing today at Henley Royal Regatta with Moe Sbihi, HRR Steward, three-time Olympian and Olympic medal winner.
I’m looking forward to a great day of racing here at Henley on Day Three. We have had two glorious days of racing so far on the water, and Thursday is shaping up to be something special. The three races that I’m most excited for today are:
28 11.15 Britannia 593 Nottingham R.C. v 592 Molesey B.C.
It's always fascinating to watch The Britannia Challenge Cup. It consistently delivers amazing, tight racing, and this year has been much the same. One clash that I’m looking forward to is Nottingham R.C, who take on my old boat club, Molesey B.C. Two massive names, plenty of history, and it’s set to be a cracker.
32 11.35 Bridge 20 Marlow R.C. v 17 Leander Club
I’m also incredibly excited to see The Bridge Challenge Plate kick off for the very first time down the track. It’s a brand new event for 2025. It’s the women’s equivalent of The Ladies’ Challenge Plate with the same qualification rules. Hopefully, it’s going to be great for real depth and quality, and it’s a massive step forward for Intermediate club women’s rowing. Race 32 is the race of the day for me, and that starts The Bridge’s history down the course.
78 18.35 Diamonds 740 A.J. Thompson v 713 T.E.Barras
I’m excited for The Diamond Challenge Sculls in general, but Race 78, which kicks off at 18:35, is one not to be missed. Aidan Thompson will go head to head with Tom Barras, who, of course, is an Olympic medallist. Aidan Thompson is an up-and-coming sculler. Both represent GB, both train at the National Training Centre, and it’s exciting that you get a story like that with two close friends going head to head on the water. They know each other so well, and it will be bragging rights for the winner.
