The Morning Session
conditions: Flat, calm, warm
Australians Out Early
This year’s Regatta started with a fierce battle in The Thames Challenge Cup. The Sabrina Club (Shrewsbury School Alumni) boat took an early lead off the start from the Australian Barbarians. While Sabrina looked to open up the lead, they could not shake off the Barbarians, who held them to half a length, keeping the pressure on into the Enclosures. Unfortunately, the Australians are the first to fall at this year's Regatta despite their valiant effort and long journey.
Vikings Victorious in Battle
In this Race of The Wargrave Challenge Cup, Nottingham Rowing Club edged out to a slight lead off the start, rowing with consummate confidence. The Shiplake Vikings, however, were not fazed by being down, slowly eating into the established lead. Both crews were level at the Mile, going stroke for stroke into the Stewards’ Enclosure. Passing the progress board with around 100m to go, the Vikings found another gear to edge their bow into the lead. The final victory margin of ⅓ length does not acknowledge how closely fought this race was from start to end.
Upper Thames Supporters Won Over
Upper Thames and St Andrew matched each other off the start on the first day of The Wargrave Challenge Cup. While the race remained tight in the first half, the benefit of rowing past Upper Thames’ boat shed combined with the crowd of partisan support meant they made a decisive move to open out into a clear lead. Despite Upper Thames being warned twice for their steering and making repeated attacks, St Andrew could not reel their opponents back in.
The Afternoon Session
Conditions: hot, bright sunshine
Close Call for Bristol
Hanover appeared to take the early lead, however Bristol would battle to get their bows ahead by the Barrier. Competing in The Thames Challenge Cup, the contest between both crews continued to ebb and flow all the way down the course. Bristol were forced to dig deep and find a new gear, rowing decisively to hold off a hard-driving Hanover in the closing meters.
Can-do for the Canford Boys
It was bowball to bowball much of the way down the course in the playoff between Canford School and Boulogne in The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. Neither crew keen to switch gears too early, it was the Canford boys who braved the final stretch as they rowed towards the Enclosures, pulling away from the French to gain a length on Boulogne by the buzzer. With both crews demonstrating impressive race management, it was Canford School who found their racing speed when it mattered.
Two Feet from Day Two
Both Tideway and Upper Thames, racing in The Wyfold Challenge Cup, appeared confident off the start, matching each other all the way towards the Barrier. Upper Thames made a move to open out an advantage of a length but Tideway were not ready to give up on making Day Two of the Regatta. Heading into the Enclosures, both crews were neck and neck. As the pressure grew, the steering became wilder, meaning both crews were warned as they passed the progress board. 20m from the line, blades caught water only inches apart and the race was impossible to call. On the surge, Upper Thames took the victory by 2ft.
The Evening Session
Conditions: hot, building breeze
Walton Woe at the Line
With today’s unrelenting sun beating down on both crews in this heat of The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, it was another classic Henley race. Both crews started fast and remained level before Walton looked to take a slight lead. Claire’s Court answered this advantage, however, increasing their rate to force themselves into the lead. Spurring Walton on, they ignited a reply but were unable to draw the Claire’s Court quad back in. Claire’s crossed the line a length and half ahead in a well-fought battle.
Marlow Great, Shrewsbury Faster
Shrewsbury put on a classy row in this Heat of The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy, dashing the hopes of Great Marlow School. Shrewsbury were able to gain a tight advantage after The Island and continued to open this out in style. Great Marlow showed guts and continued to row with confidence, but unfortunately, they could not maintain the same punishing pace of Shrewsbury, who continued to assert control over the race.
Battle of the ‘B’ Boats
‘B’ boats from Vesta and Upper Thames aligned on the course for Day One of racing in The Wargrave Challenge Cup. Whilst Vesta gained a slight lead after a clean start out of The Island, Upper Thames were quick to respond, gaining a third of a length on their opponents by Fawley. Charging towards the line, Upper Thames stepped on to increase this lead to ⅔ of a length as they surged to the finish. A win for Upper Thames does not deter admiration for the closely matched Vesta crew, who maintained an overlap throughout racing, tiring Upper Thames and denying any complacency despite their lead.
