16 records broken as Henley Royal Regatta draws to a close
The Morning Session
conditions: Overcast, Showers
Slalom Steering
Hollandia ‘A’ are this year’s winners of The Town Challenge Cup in a record time of 7:04. The contest unravelled in compelling fashion as The Dutch National Team and the British senior four – moonlighting as Leander Club and Reading University – went head to head. Hollandia were a length up by the Barrier, but what transpired down the remainder of the course was a fascinating mix of grit, chaotic steering and repeated flag-waving warnings from the Umpire. With the Dutch a length up, the British were not able to claw that margin back, and, despite an appeal from the composite about the tenuous steering from the Netherlands crew, the verdict did not change.
A Crown on the Headington
Both of these crews in the final of The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy appeared very equally matched off the start. Headington slowly edged just a one-foot lead at the Barrier and extended this out to a ½ length lead by Fawley. However, Shiplake struck at Remenham, deconstructing Headington’s hard-fought lead. Headington dug in to reopen just a two-foot lead outside The Enclosures. With less than 200m remaining, Shiplake threw everything at the Headington boat. Amongst the cheers and screams of the crowd, it looked as though Shiplake might sneak past. Headington, however, had just enough power left in their legs to hold the lead across the line in a record time of 7:09, bettering the previous record by four seconds.
By a Bowball
Delivering what may just be the most electric finish of the Regatta, the Premier women’s double sculls final between De Jong and Boonstra (NED) and Anastasiadou and Fitsio (GRE) in The Stonor Challenge Trophy was nothing short of incredible. Whilst the Dutch rowed ahead by clear water for the first half of the course, the punchy strokes of the Greeks were on the rise. As the Enclosures drew in, the Greeks unleashed what can only be referred to as a major sprint finish, closing with every stroke. The Greek duo took the lead on the very last stroke of the course, crowning them champions at Henley Royal Regatta 2025.
The Afternoon Session
Conditions: Warmer, Bright, Strong Tailwind
At Loggerheads
Sydney Rowing Club and London Rowing Club came together, quite literally, for the final of The Wyfold Challenge Cup. Half a length up at the ¼ Mile, London were quickly warned for steering as they veered into Aussie waters. Moments later, their boat stalled almost perpendicular to the booms, colliding with Sydney and sending the race to a grinding halt. We later learned that London Rowing Club had collided with a log on the way to the start line, severing the rudder and authorising a re-row in the afternoon.
Restarting later in the day, the two crews, now more familiar with one another, set off at high rates. London led by a length at the Barrier, a margin they extended to two and a half lengths by the time they reached Fawley. In haste, Sydney’s strokes suffered. A near-crab by Sydney near the spectators pushed London even further away, who achieved a convincing three-length victory in what was a dramatic Finals Day for both crews.
First Class
Lauren Henry of Leicester Rowing Club took on Frida Nielsen in the final of The Princess Royal Challenge Cup. The race wasn’t won at the start, but developed in pristine fashion. Henry, down a length at Remenham Farm and then just a canvas at Fawley, would mesmerize any viewer with her technique. Cool, calm and collected, she reaped the reward of her skillful strokes, leading by three lengths by the Hole in the Wall. Fast moving in flowing waters, Henry crossed the line seven seconds ahead of the previous record, another notch on her highly impressive belt.
For the History Books
The Final for The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup was always going to be one of the most anticipated races of the day. For Radley College, this was an opportunity to win the P.E. for the first time since 1998, while for Shiplake, history would also be made for the club, having never previously won the trophy. Both Shiplake and Radley blasted off the start, eager to take an early lead. Shiplake, however, were the first to reach the Barrier a ½ length ahead. With grimaces etched onto their faces, Radley drove on in front of the Regatta Enclosure and brought their rate up to close down on Shiplake. The Shiplake crew, with supporters screaming them on, continued to just cling to their lead. In a moment that those racing will never forget, Shiplake crossed the finish just one length ahead of Radley.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Henley Royal Regatta Press Team – press@hrr.co.uk
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