The winners of the Student events of Henley Royal Regatta 2026
and how their red boxes were won
The Island Challenge Cup Winner: Brown University ‘A’, USA
University of Washington, 'A' USA v Brown University, 'A' USA
In an all-American final of The Island Challenge Cup 2026, Brown University ‘A’ entered as the underdog. Having raced their ‘B’ crew on Thursday, the Rhode Island crew were hoping to repeat their performance from 2022, when they last won this Trophy. They dispatched the University of London and second-favourites Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ in their quarter and semi-finals.
Come the final, title favourites from the much-heralded University of Washington led at the Barrier and the Fawley markers. Under the guidance of cox and former Henley Royal Regatta winner Summer Balla-Kellett, Brown held their nerve, executing the first row through of the day. The roar of the Enclosures only pushed them forward, and whilst Washington went with them, it was not enough and Brown took The Island Challenge Cup by ½ a length.
The Temple Challenge Cup Winner: University of Cambridge ‘A’
University of Washington, USA v Cambridge University 'A'
A highly competitive roster awaited the crews in The Temple Challenge Cup this week. With 87 entries, the event was reduced to 32 crews after Qualifying. From that, two of the top contenders secured their spot for finals: The University of Washington, USA, and Cambridge University ‘A’..
Hungry for victory from the outset, the crew from Seattle were rating 50 strokes per minute, but by The Barrier, Cambridge were ahead and moving clear, leading by over a length by the ½ Mile. The Light Blues won by ⅔ of a length.
The Queen Victoria Challenge Cup Winner: Reading University ‘A’
A.A.S.R. Skøll, the Netherlands v Reading University 'A'
In the inaugural staging of The Queen Victoria Challenge Cup, it was to no-one’s surprise that Reading University booked themselves a spot in Sunday’s final after victories against Delftsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Proteus-Eretes, Netherlands and the University of Birmingham. Joining them were A.A.S.R. Skøll of the Netherlands, who themselves had successfully defeated Oxford Brookes and Reading’s own ‘B’ crew.
Empowered by the remarkable programme that Will Rand, Chris Bartley and Simon Williamson have built, Reading took the fight to the Dutch, leading by ¾ of a length at the ¼ Mile and a length and ¾ at the ½ Mile. Rating at 33, Reading were undeterred throughout, demonstrating why they are the country’s premier sculling institution to lead by over two lengths into the Enclosures and set new records to every marker up the course in crossing the line to claim the trophy.
The Prince Albert Challenge Cup Winner: Imperial College London
Imperial College London v Newcastle University
The Prince Albert Challenge Cup is a highly competitive Student Open Mens Fours with Coxswain, and with previous Finalists University of London, and Edinburgh University bowing out earlier in the competition, it was time for Imperial College London and Newcastle University to take the stage. Imperial had posted a faster time to the Fawley marker in their semi-final yesterday.
Both rating 44 out of The Island, Newcastle edged ¼ length lead, which they extended to a ¾ boat length over Imperial by the ¼ Mile. Imperial quickly retaliated, and by the Barrier, the boats were bowball to bowball. At the ½ mile, Imperial had the upper hand, now 3 feet ahead and one step closer to a 5th win in this event. Despite a steering warning at Remenham, and Newcastle engaging a final sprint, Imperial prevailed, and have the most wins in this race category to date.
