Close Racing at Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta
Warm weather enhanced a great day of racing at the Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta last weekend with 271 crews from local and visiting clubs, racing in 136 races, running continuously from 9am to 7pm. The warm weather attracted good crowds, who were able to enjoy the racing.
There was some close racing at all levels. A composite eight from Linacre College, Green Templeton College (both from Oxford) and the University of West England won the final of Band 3 eights by 2 feet from Wolfson College, Oxford. Two crews from Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club made it to the final of Junior under-15 Women’s double sculls where one of them went onto win by 1 foot! The Peter Sutherland Challenge Cup for the most successful club at the Regatta was won by local club Upper Thames RC.
The fastest race of the day saw Blue Star Club (the alumni rowing club of Newcastle University) win the Band 1 eights event in a time of 2m 39s.
Upper Thames won the following events, Band 3 Doubles, Band 2 Singles, Coxless Fours, Band 1 Quads, Band 4 Singles, Open C/E Coxless Fours with Wimleball, Open E/F Quads (pictured above), Open F/G Doubles, Women’s A/B Quads, Women’s F/G Quads, Women’s C/D Doubles, Women’s F Doubles, Band 1 Mixed Coxed Fours and Band 2 Mixed Doubles.
Henley Rowing Club saw Sam Hunter in the Junior 16 Singles beat Oliver Smee of Shiplake College by 4 1/2 lengths, the Women’s F/G Quads, Women’s C/D Doubles and the Mixed Band 3 Doubles (pictured above)
Regatta President Glen Lambert said, “It’s been a fantastic Regatta showcasing the best of Henley both on and off the water. After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic and running a competitor-only event in 2021 it’s been great to have held the Regatta back in its traditional format and location and to hear how much our competitors enjoyed their day racing on this iconic stretch of water.”
The Regatta ran on schedule throughout the day. Regatta Chairman Mark Davies said after the last race, “I’d like to thank all our volunteers, subscribers, sponsors and supporters who do so much to make the regatta a success. The Regatta Committee would also like to thank the Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta, who allow us to use their land and facilities, and Henley-on-Thames Town Council who have supported the Regatta consistently for many years. Particular thanks also go to the younger juniors of Henley RC who manned the stake boats at the start all day in warm and humid conditions.”
